Timing Is Everything

This is why Fred Thompson is dangerous – to candidates from either party. He saw the reactions to the MoveOn smear campaign against General David Petraeus and he saw an opening to slip the shiv in. And he did it. He's calling for Democrats to return MoveOn's money. And you know what? MoveOn support ain't worth a whole lot of money, despite their claims of ownership of the Democratic party.

"I understand there's a front page ad that's been taken out by this outfit called MoveOn.org in the New York Times today," said Thompson at a campaign rally at Doc's Barbecue in this capital city. "And it basically accuses our general who's leading our troops in Iraq right now of betraying his own country. This outfit basically, in large part, funds the Democratic party. I call upon the Democratic party and all those Democratic contenders for the White House to disavow this libel against this brave American." (Related: Dems join GOP in slamming ad attacking Petraeus)

Moveon.org supporters have contributed over $108,000 to Democratic presidential candidates this year through the group’s political action committee, according to Federal Election Commission records. Sen. Barack Obama lead his party’s field in contributions received through Moveon.org, with just over $30,000 received since the start of his campaign. Rep. Dennis Kucinich received almost $25,000 compared to just over $23,000 for former Sen. John Edwards and $18,000 for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden each received between $5,000 and $6000, while Sen. Chris Dodd received just under $1000.

There is a lot of talk about how much money these folks raise – but those figures show MoveOn isn't exactly the powerhouse they claim to be. Why, one single apparently crooked bagman for the Democrats raised MUCH more than that in a short while. They are loud, they are crass and they are ultimately without any class, but money gurus they are not.

Why are the Democrats afraid of them? Thompson has just put the Dems on the spot.

Other Links to this Post

1. Thompson: Democrats Should Return MoveOn’s Donations « The Van Der Galiën Gazette — September 11, 2007 @ 8:02 am