A new conservative organizing group that is running $15 million in national TV ads, in support of continuing the U.S. troop presence in Iraq, has been compared to the liberal group MoveOn.org.
Principals at Freedom's Watch, which is fronted by former Bush White House officials Ari Fleischer and Brad Blakeman and backed by several very wealthy donors, reject comparisons to MoveOn.
Freedom's Watch backers say they have real bite, in the form of a $15 million ad buy, compared to MoveOn, which they say claims clout but has done little advertising or organizing this summer.
MoveOn did organize local anti-war demonstrations around the country last weekend.
But MoveOn today sent out an e-mail request to supporters asking them to donate $25 each "to help us produce ads and put them on the air to counter the White House group."
In the e-mail, MoveOn organizer Nita Chaudhary calls Freedom's Watch a "shady White House-linked group" and says they are using "unethical tactics to keep the U.S. in Iraq for years or decades to come."
"They lie -- blurring the line between al Qaeda and Iraq. And they're emotional -- featuring injured troops and their families," Ms. Chaudhary says (you can watch the ads here to see if you agree with her).
"We've got to get on the air NOW, rebutting their lies and reminding Congress where the American people really stand," Miss Chaudhary says.
-- Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times
Comments (3)
I like your ads. Why don't you ask Obama where the NIE says we are in more dander Ive read it I did not find it.
Posted by Glenn Woodruff | August 29, 2007 6:53 PM
These ads are excellent and I hope they make a difference! We are beginning to see changes on the ground in Iraq and we do need to stay!
Posted by Mary Bell | August 29, 2007 11:23 PM
Since "spin" has been accepted with all of its relative connotations, lies are a matter of perspective. The American people stand with best solution. That isn't a blind withdrawal from Iraq leaving the Iraqi people to fend for themselves after we, the people, the Congress, the President voted to go into Iraq. The reality is, we are in Iraq. Those that want us out Iraq have three choices, secede from the Union as not being we the people or get a candidate in there that has a contingency plan for case of the worst case scenario (whether they believe it or not the present situation is not the worst case) or continue until the Iraqi people can stand on their own. All of the web sites seem to want to talk about withdrawal, none them talk about the consequences.
Posted by Larry Stone | August 30, 2007 2:05 AM