Posted on 08/07/2006 7:39:28 PM PDT by mdittmar
HARTFORD- Other than the candidates, no one has more riding on this week's Connecticut Democratic Senate primary than MoveOn.org, a liberal organization at the edgy intersection of politics and the Internet. With victory for Ned Lamont, the group can claim a role in helping an anti-war challenger dump Sen. Joe Lieberman, who supports President Bush's policy in Iraq and has the backing of the Democratic establishment.
A come-from-behind win for Lieberman would mark yet another setback for MoveOn in its parallel campaign _ to strengthen its credentials as a force to be heeded by Democrats as they seek congressional majorities this fall.
"The bottom line is: We and our members think you get there by boldly standing up on the most important issues that we face, on Iraq, on energy policy and on health care," says Eli Pariser, the group's 25-year-old executive director. "Some in the party, and Joe Lieberman for sure, don't think that's a winning strategy."
To say that MoveOn represents a departure from traditional political activity is an understatement.
Its political organization claims more than 3 million members, communicates through e-mail alerts, charges no dues and holds no national conventions.
"We're a virtual organization," says Pariser, a Maine resident who, like others, works out of his home. Tom Matzzie is the man in Washington. A Chicago-based firm, We Also Walk Dogs, handles the geeky stuff.
Ironically, one bow to tradition was the hiring of a public relations firm. The task? Promoting the group's activities in the mainstream media, often viewed as so yesterday by MoveOn's younger members.
Still, there's nothing virtual about the money raised.
MoveOn's members ponied up more than $800,000 for Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., in two days last spring.
Contributions to Lamont, a millionaire, exceeded $250,000, although the campaign seems to minimize the group's impact on the race. "The timing of their endorsement was helpful," said Tom Swan, the challenger's campaign manager.
Overall, MoveOn says its members have contributed more than $2 million to candidates since 2005.
They raised another $1 million or more for early television commercials targeting four Republican House members, in Connecticut, Indiana, Virginia and Ohio. They were designed to expand the number of competitive races and leave MoveOn's mark on the midterm elections.
"It's made some impact," said Rep. Chris Chocola, R-Ind., one of the targets. "It's hard to say how much in the end."
At the same time, MoveOn has stumbled.
Several television stations refused to run the commercials, saying their claims were not adequately proved.
The organization has yet to back a winner in a string of congressional races decided so far. Among the casualties was Paul Hackett, an anti-war candidate who dropped out of a Senate race in Ohio under pressure from Democratic party officials.
The Lieberman-Lamont race, coupled with a decision to target Republican Rep. Nancy Johnson, has made Connecticut a battleground for MoveOn.
It claims 50,000 members in the state. And it's unlikely any two are more dissimilar than Wayne Boulton, a Hartford lawyer who describes himself as a former Republican libertarian, and Jeff Munsie, a Middletown architect and peace activist.
"Becoming a member is really just participating," Munsie said.
Munsie
Seems that the only thing they don't do is move on.
I hope they lose.
The Left talks of celebrating diversity but they demand conformity to their "politically correct" dogma-nure. The "tolerance" crowd can't tolerate Leiberman's not following the party line. Stalin is alive and well and living in the DemonRat party.
If Lamont wins the primary and Lieberman runs as an independent in the general election, will they split the
nominally democratic votes enough for a republican to sneak in?
bttt
I prefer to think of them as virtual human beings. Almost human, just not quite fully developed between the ears.
I'm torn...one the one hand, I do hope that Lamont wins and the MoveOn crowd takes over the Dem party completely ( that would guarantee the GOP wins, well into this century ); yet, on the other hand, I don't want them to gain any more power than they already have, because these people ARE dangerous.
That's possible.
If Lamont wins the primary and Lieberman runs as an independent in the general election, will they split the
nominally democratic votes enough for a republican to sneak in?
------
Stranger things have happened...deja vu Perot ??
Catch-22.
3 million members my ass. That's right next to the 13 kids a day die from gunfire statistic.
A lot of parents are missing their change jars
Peace activist my ass. The US Military is a peace activist.
GOoooooo Loonies! A Lamont win can only be good for our side since holy Joe should win the general.
Ned promised me some insider stock tips directly from Kos himself if I voted for him...
Yes, it sure is one.
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