Senate set to vote on MoveOn ad

Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:18 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Security

From NBC's Ken Strickland and Mark Murray
The Senate will take a vote on a nonbinding measure today to repudiate the MoveOn ad that ran in The New York Times calling General Petraeus "General Betray Us." By Republicans calling for this vote, it forces Democrats to disavow it.

This "sense of the senate" measure "strongly condemns any effort to attack the honor and integrity of General Petraeus and all the member of the United States Armed Forces; and to specifically repudiate the unwarranted personal attack on General Petraeus by the liberal activist group Moveon.org." Republicans have been attacking Democrats about this ad since it appeared in the paper, trying to tie them to the liberal group. Some Democrats (including John Kerry and Jack Reed) have publicly distanced themselves from the ad, saying it was over the top.

GOP Sen. John Cornyn introduced this measure last week, but the vote on it comes on the same day that President Bush called MoveOn's Petraeus ad "disgusting."

“What’s disgusting is that the President has more interest in political attacks than developing an exit strategy to get our troops out of Iraq and end this awful war," MoveOn executive director Eli Pariser responded in a statement.

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Comments

Oh for pete's sake - don't they have something better to waste their time on.

jeani o, saint inigoes, md (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:25 PM)

Disgusting? The shrub called it disgusting? Guess it takes someone disgusting to call something disgusting. The ad was over the top but good grief to waste our taxpayer dollars on a nonbinding measure? Ridiculous!

jeani o, saint inigoes, md (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:29 PM)

while the ad is over the top anyone who thinks his perspective on the situation in iraq was unbias is a fool. just as bush selected judges that reflect his personal agenda selection of the general was conditional to his compatibility to bush's iraq agenda and therefore predetermined his evaluation to agree with bush. in order to salvage the gop and avoid fringe gopers from bolting to form 67 the demos need bush gave the token 5000 withdrawal and vague inference to further reductions to presurge levels. any betrayal is on bush. as to padding the reportthat's no less than westmoreland did in nam so why is anyone surprised.

karlos (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:37 PM)

Senator Reid, do not let this come to a vote. PLEASE!

The Repukes are ridiculous once again (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:38 PM)

fox news brings this deal up every 5 minutes, is it really that big of a deal?

MK,MO (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:40 PM)

The Republicans are so frigging lame! Wimps!

They cower behind their puppet General. Nice.

Betty, Baltimore, MD (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:40 PM)

I'm confused...the Republicans can block votes on important legislation...but the Dems can't block votes on this kind of nuisance non-binding stupid stuff. What gives?

Al, KS (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:46 PM)

I'm surpised the Republicans are still so focused on MoveOn.org...when there are much larger issues at hand. An ad in the NY Times?? They still haven't changed their ways.

CJ (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:47 PM)

What was MOVEONS ad aimed at Petraeus if not a ''political attack''?

''We bought it,we own it,and now we are going to keep it''[Remarks,Eli Pariser on the Democrat Party].

Pack of damned McCarthyites.

Lee Holmes (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:50 PM)

To pick up on something someone said here this morning, and since no one in the media had much interest in this, what with OJ and all, I'll tell it.

At the Anti-War March last Saturday in DC, I met a number of very nice people who were in attendance at the protest, and they were from all across the country. Why is this significant? Up until recently, they were loyal Republicans.

Not anymore.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:52 PM)

It's amazing! Where were all the Republicans when the Swift Boat ads were being aired? I didn't hear a word then. Also, I may not agree with what was said, but in a country where the KKK is allowed to march, and freedom of speech is guaranteed in the Constitution, I really don't know how Congress has any say in this. I also think there are a lot more important things for Congress to be doing. If we stop people from reporting on military personnel just because they are military, it implies that the military is always correct and can do no wrong. I think that would be extremely dangerous. I wish Congress would apply itself more to ending the Iraq war, stopping ILLEGAL immigration, stopping sanctuary cities and making them follow the law, not passing a law stopping people from being allowed to sue telephone companies from eavesdropping on them illegally, bringing back habeaus corpus, ending torture, abiding by the Geneva Convention rules, giving financial aid to anyone who can make cars run without using oil, thereby cutting off financial aid to terrorists, and helping stop global warming, etc. etc. When is Congress going to DO something? 70% of Americans feel this country is going in the wrong direction! Maybe we need to re-elect a whole new Congress as well as a President!

New Independent (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:53 PM)

Then they should disavowed the swiftboating of Kerry when he was running for the Presidency in 2004. What a bunch of hypocrites. I didn't necessarily agreed with MoveOn decision to run the ad against Petraeus, cause that created a distraction. But as obama said, it should have been about Bush's handling of the war, rather than the Military execution of it.

RAH (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:54 PM)

I am making ANOTHER donation to moveOn today! I will make it in revulsion to the WORST PRESIDENT EVER!
THE MOST DISGUSTING PRESIDENT EVER!
THE STUPIDEST PRESIDENT EVER!
THE WORST AMERCAN EVER BUSH!
SO the repukes own all the news station and OWN ALL the newspaper but they do not OWN MoveON.
Hitler and his gang in Congress will control by a vote!
Well will all the REAL AMERICAN NOT VOTE AT ALL!
In fact walk out DEMS..Do not even look at that stupid trick!

H P Boston (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:57 PM)

It was just an ad, no more or less so than Johnson's Daisy ad, or Bush Sr.'s Willie Horton ad, or any other sleaze cranked out by either party or their minions. This vote is even sillier than the Terri Schiavo Act vote, both efforts by Republicans to paint the opposition as immoral or traitorous, or both. Instead of wasting time on all this flag-waving crap, do something to protect health insurance for children who need it, or even take heed of Piraser's response above.

Pete Caloger Bushkill, PA 18324 (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:57 PM)

Can we get a sense of the Senate vote expressing the general thought that Republicans are warmongering jackazzes?

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:58 PM)

Where was the outrage when Kerry was swiftboated?
Or the racial stab at Ford? Oh, that's right. Whatever the repubs do is ok - it's only wrong if the dems do it.

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:00 PM)

If the Republicans can get this worked up about a ad in a newspaper I wonder what they'll do when they loose the 2008 elections.

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:04 PM)

I may sound naive, but I'm not, when I say that this vote is 100% politically motivated, has nothing to do with doing the people's business, and is taking congress away from more important issues, such as EVERY THING ELSE!

Pat, Huntington, NY (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:07 PM)

"non-binding vote"? I thought only impotent, do-nothing partisan cry babies did that? ANy of you right wingers remember saying that? Or are your memories like your morals?

just asking (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:09 PM)

Your tax dollars at waste.

Taxpayer, Baltimore, MD (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:11 PM)

more political bs from repubs who put AMERICAN TROOPS IN JEAPORDY EVERYDAY IN THE IRAQ QUAGMIRE AND ARE GETTING READY TO ATTACK IRAN.

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:13 PM)

“What’s disgusting is that the President has more interest in political attacks than developing an exit strategy to get our troops out of Iraq and end this awful war,"

Well there's the Pot calling the Kettle black if I've ever seen it...or maybe more along the lines of the "Do as I say, not as I do."

Jeremy, Huntington Beach, CA (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:13 PM)

Republicans are a bunch of crooked, backward a-holes. The dirty tricks dept is now going after something on par with flag burning, a strictly emotional issue designed to turn America's moron community against Dems. This move allows them to downplay the fact that Bush made Patraeus his personal flunky, and is just a red herring. What it really amounts to is an insult to the intelligence of the masses. It really functions as a sort of IQ test in that anyone who falls for it are fools. It looks like the people would wake up one day and realize the repubs have nothing for them. I don't see this boosting the scumbag in chief's poll numbers if that's what he's after. I've noticed that any time he makes some kind of statement or observation that the media sees as "worthy" of printing, when it shows up on MSN home page as a story, the readers usually give it a one or one and a half star out of five rating. This doesn't reflect the opinion of the entire country because people who read and rate these stories on line are somewhat more intelligent than the general population. Repubs don't care what intelligent people think about them. It's all about numbers. Speaking of ratings, I personally rate Repub politicians slightly below telemarketers, which places them about halfway between illegal aliens and members of al Qaeda. How about you?

JIrby, Colorado (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:14 PM)

What the heck is Congress doing wasting time on an ad when health care and education matters are looming, and the war is obsene???
Is this about free press? Can't somebody say ANYTHING against Bush at all without the GOVERNMENT condemning it?? Isn't this just Hitler's Germany??? I want to take the entire Congress and dump it in a landfill.

Karen S (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:20 PM)

And Congress wonders why their approval is 15 pts below the Worst. President. Ever.

cms (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:28 PM)

Isn't it funny how Republicans didn't have a problem when the "Swift Boat" ads targeted Sen. Kerry?

Emil Sarcasian, Scranton, PA (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:29 PM)

Isn't it true that the fuss is over the last line--and that all the facts in the ad are being ignored for the sake of fussing about calling the General a name?

Ralph, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:29 PM)

Last time I checked we have Free Speech in America. You might not like what you see but that is just too damn bad.

Brian, Baltimore, Maryland (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:32 PM)

OMG! I cannot believe, in all of my good heart and Ph.D.-sense, WHY Republicans are going after this! My god. This is unbelievable. I'd suggest, well, let's see:
1. Civil Rights/Domestic Partner Legislation
2. Health Insurance for everyone
3. Resolution of Urban gang violence

....etc.....etc....etc....etc...

Dr. R.L. (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:33 PM)

It should be a big deal. And for all those Democrats and liberals who think it shouldn't, consider this - agreeing that what MoveOn did was despicable (and it was) will give you the insurance that, for the near future at least, Republicans can't resort to tactics they used against John Kerry, a la Swift Boat. You may point out that Mr. Kerry isn't running for President this year, and that none of the current Democratic frontrunners have military experience; however, using this resolution to elevate the debate will work in your favor in other areas, as the GOP cannot and has never been able to resist resorting to this sort of campaigning. It's your party's responsiblity and yours individually as politically interested citizens to make this as visible as possible in order to persuade moderate voters like myself come November.

Perhaps then we can advance beyond mindless name calling that hasn't stopped since Bush v. Gore.

Dan, Louisville, Kentucky (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:33 PM)

Why do Repulsivcans hate the free market system? NY Times runs ads for income. Newspapers are hurting. What happened to freedom of speech.

Where did my old Republican Party of the 70's and 80's go?

Greg R., Spokane, WA (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:36 PM)

I mean, Bush if free to think MoveOn's add is disgusting. I think Bush is disgusting. However I think the Senate voting over a response to the ad is a laughable waste of time. I thought we voted more Dems in last November so they could end this war not spend their time worrying if MoveOn's ads are agreeable to them.

Nate Mendenhall, Dayton, OH (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:37 PM)

So much righteous indignation on the part of the swift boat repubs! What a bunch of blithering idiot fools! So is john "boner" going to break down in tears again?

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:38 PM)

..Bush selected judges that reflect his personal agenda... Not correct! He selected judges to reflect the will of the voters who elected him and don't forget the liberals LOST THE ELECTION.

James Hagan (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:40 PM)

It is amazing that we have these politicians that have been highly educated and intelligent (except for the leader)and they act just like the Moron that is the leader of this USA. What this president and administration have done is worst than that ad. Republicans are acting like a bunch of women, getting upset over name calling, get to work for the real people that have rights under the Constitution and not the Laws that this president has change to fit his ways fo running this USA. My grandaughter acts more grown up then these politicans.

Carmen Colorado (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:42 PM)

Do we not still have freedom of speech in this country?

Blue state baby (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:42 PM)

Bunch of sissy hypocrites. Typical bullies, they can dish it out but can't take it when the table turns. You Republicans want some cheese with that whine? What kind of a man is Gen Petraeus that he can't defend himself? If he had integrity he would have said he could handle it and to back off. But we already know the answer to his integrity. His so-called "honest" assessment was contradicted within days by other reports. He sold out the country to politics. He betrayed the American people. The truth hurts.

nuanced (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:43 PM)

Why not a non-binding measure saying Bill Maher should not be calling George Bush, "President Numbnuts?" More political theater by a bunch of terrible actors.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:46 PM)

A new low even for moveOn.Org. A treasonious act at time of war to offer comfor to the enemy. The law is still on the books. Enforce it. Arrest MoveOn and its pathetic cowards, jail them and shut them up! God bless General Petraeus and Victory for America!

John Doeit bk (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:47 PM)

It seems that we the people have not given enough power to the opposition party, the Democrat to override Bush veto. Now wake up, American! It is time to MoveON.

David, Houston, Texas (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:48 PM)

Filthy repubs. anything they don't agree on should not be allowed. Just moveon!

Blue state baby (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:50 PM)

DITTO H P BOSTON!!!!!

S P MN (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:52 PM)

Is it possible that the General is being fluffed and plumped up, defended and proclaimed as being attacked unfairly in order to offer him as a runing mate for --who?

This has GOT to be something more than just a play on words for an ad's sake. And just HOW did it get twisted into being a "disgusting" thing to say about the soldiers dying there? Does anyone truly think the 3791 Americans now killed in the Bush War really care that a General's name was parodied?

The present Mob in the White House is preparing to bomb Iran and this nation's attention is drawn to a hissing-fit over name calling of a secure General! ! !

I am not presently a member of Move On but I am now seriously considering becoming one.

Eugene, Maine (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:53 PM)

Here's what I find Disgusting
1.Invading a country and killing thousands of people and rationalizing it with lie after lie
2.Stealing our country's future by running up unsustainable debt
3.Funneling our tax dollars to companies owned by the rethugs cronies for rotten water and $45 six packs of coke.
4. Misplacing 8.9 Billion Dollars
5. Allowing almost 300 tons of high explosives to "go missing"
6. Abusing our citizens in the military in (fill in the blank, dozens of ways).
7.Over 47 million people without any health insurance.
8.Not condemning the hateful speech and in some cases dangerous speech of the right wing.
9.Shredding the constitution.
10. The main stream media framing all the ways the Dems are working to correct some of these things by saying they are failing as opposed to telling the truth that the rethugs goal is putting party over all of us. The rethugs primary goal is to block all legislation.
I could go on...

Scout Denver, CO (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:55 PM)

This is what republicans want on the record not troop deployment issues such as not being home to save your marriage or see your kid, not bad armour for the troops not an end game in sight no exit out no plan to win, but that they hurt the generals feelings.He said the same thing 2 years ago in the editorial he wrote.Isnt he man enough to defend himself.He sold the troops down the river with that I have been deployed 3 years so I know how the troops feel.This isnt valley forge ,he eats better has better quarters better communications with his familiy leave anytime just like the troops who ride in humvees and get blown to bits,rah rah boys remember galipoli.

kenn"GOTHCA"O (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:56 PM)

What I find disgusting is NBC/MSNBC's pandering to the Republicans......If you're not running OJ, you're talking about this crap!!! The American people don't give a damn about this ad...The American people want their soldiers home...I want my husband home!!! Maybe if you spent more time and concern on what's actually going on in Iraq and Afghanistan instead of the talking points you spew as Gospel, you'd have some credibility!!! God help us, are there any journalists left???

Elizabeth, Michigan (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:56 PM)

See, this demonstrates the utter hypocrisy of the Right. It's AOK for them to trash libs with lies and innuendo but if one of their own gets the same treatment then LOOK OUT for the wrath of Bush!

And once again... do not expect any of the psychologically and intellectually inadequate members of the Right to acknowledge said blatant hypocrisy. Ever. They simply are not mentally advanced enough to do it.

I am to the point where I really don't give a damn what Bush says, thinks, or feels. He can be mad all he wants about the ad and, frankly, it wouldn't affect me at all.

M. Boley (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:57 PM)

These Republicans are the same ones who supported printing war critic Joe Wilson's wife's name in the paper and making her CIA connection public.

Same Republicans who laughed when Ann Coulter called Democratic candidate John Edwards a "f----t".

Same Republicans who paid for an ad implying a black candidate dated sleazy white women.

Unwarranted personal attacks? Its the Republican's favorite weapon. What hypocrites.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:58 PM)

The republicans were the swift boat adds.They dont care about the military except when they vote otherwise screw the vet affairs vet administration wounded vets,all lip service and when its over what do they get CUTS in the budget.

keenn (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:58 PM)

Is that not a disgrace a picture of McCain on this subject. He who was so viciously SWIFTBOATED by his own party!
John you are you that demented that you can not remember the hell and the crap they piled on you!!
Shame on you Senator!

H P Boston (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:00 PM)

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