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.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiuRhy4CqzU

That pretty much sums up this tempest in teacup.

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:01 PM)

If Moveon.org members want to do something for America rather than whine like a bunch of spoiled babies, go Join the Armed forces of America and pay their dues like the rest of us. See what it takes to earn just one of the ribbons that General Petraeus wears.

Henry miles (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:04 PM)

Is that not a disgrace a picture of McCain on this subject. He who was so viciously SWIFTBOATED by his own party!
John 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 2:06 PM)

You would have to be totally naive to think that Gen Petreaus' report wasn't slanted to reflect favorably on what President Bush says/wants/does. I don't care if it is business or politics, the name of the game is 'protect your a--'. The Republicans are playing games with this and the Democrats, through 'moveon' used it for political advantage. But in the end, regretably, he did make a presentation favorable to what Bush wanted. It sure would be nice if politics wasn't this way and they all worked hard and honestly just focused on doing their job.

REG; East Valley Phx. AZ (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:10 PM)

And where was this sorry-assed excuse for a President's disgust when the GOP thrashed Max Cleland who lost three limbs in Viet Nam. REPUBLIPUKES ARE DISGUSTING. Anyone who ever votes for these schmucks should have their head examined.

Neal Stephan, Santa Fe, NM (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:15 PM)

Disgusting allright!!! So is the bountiful hypocrisy of Bush and the Republicans who in recent years have spent hundreds of millions of dollars promoting ads that are full of lying, deceitful, immoral attacks on their political opponents, like comparing Sen. Max Cleland who won a silver star for bravery in Viet Nam to Osama bin Laden, or lying about Sen. John Kerry's honorable and dangerous service in Viet Nam.

Chickenhawks who pulled strings to get out of serving their country in a war (like Bush and Cheney) got no business casting these stones, much less sending other innocent human beings to slaughter in a war of their choosing. God help us, please.

These disgusting tactics only displease republicans when they are not the ones doing it. Hypocrites. I think they are disgusting regardless of who is running the ads.

Rick Taylor, Louisville, KY (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:16 PM)

This is ridiculous. Where are the votes condemning Fox "News"? If Congress starts condemning political speech, then the First Amendment becomes meaningless. Besides, General Petraeus told at least one outright lie to Congress.

When questioned about whether or not it mattered if a person was shot in the front or back of the head in the counting of sectarian deaths, Petraeus said that it didn’t matter, that any killing by a sectarian motive was counted. However, National Public Radio reported on 9/13/2007 that deaths by a shot to the head ARE NOT counted by the military among sectarian killings, even if they are for sectarian reasons. Thus, the number of such deaths Petraeus reported is about 50% too low, making things in Iraq much worse than he wants us to think.

Juarez Traveller (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:17 PM)

The democrats should force the republicans to get 60 votes to move this through since the republicans do the same to every bill the democrats try to bring up for a vote. While this whole thing is a political stunt designed to make Democrats uncomfortable, its ironic that the Democrats can't seem to ever force the minority Republicans to cast uncomfortable votes! How is it that the Republicans easily passed bills without having 60 votes yet the Democrats can't do ANYTHING! Reid is the wimpiest majority leader I have ever seen! This Congress is as lazy as ever and none of the current senators deserve a dime of the taxpayer money they are being paid!

Tim M, Ithaca NY (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:21 PM)

I really hope that the apprently uneducated liberals commenting above are not representative of the audience to which this column is catering.

Liberals, your emotional tirades do not lend you credibility. Take a lesson from Teddy Roosevelt: Speak softly and carry a big stick. Obama seems to have learned that!

For those who support the MoveOn action, be glad that this occured in 2007 and not 1942. Back then, such actions may have been considered treason, an offense potentially resulting in the death penalty.

Matthew H, Austin, TX (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:21 PM)

How dare those Republicans question the right of MoveOn. The only difference between their ad and the Swift Boat ad was the Swift Boaters were right. MoveOn bends the truth all the time, what's the big deal. Those foolish Republicans always wanting to point out we don't necessarily play fair, or tell the truth.

I'm-a-lemming4Hillary (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:22 PM)

well, Henry miles, quite a few Iraq War veterans are coming home and joining MoveOn.org, so I guess your suggestion is moot.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:22 PM)

A non-binding resolution!!! Perfect! Finally, something the Democrats have experience with.

Trish Framer (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:23 PM)

And to the morons who bring up 'treason' - you're dumber than a box of rocks. Calling someone a name isn't treason. If it was then all the talk show hacks would be hanging by their necks.

The REAL blame should lie with the sorry state of education (or lack of) in this country... what else could possibly explain such dimwitted comments from the Right. Then again, we all know that the Right is anti-education and anti-intellectual so there you have it.

M. Boley (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:25 PM)

What a joke. Where were they when the Swiftboat ad attacking Kerry was out there? Oh, that's right, the target then was a Democrat, so the rules were different. Disgraceful. Surely, there are more important things to discuss in the Senate than this....like raising the debt ceiling AGAIN.

Jael, downstate IL (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:32 PM)

"Do we not still have freedom of speech in this country? " Not according the the supporters of Emperor Flying Monkey's Ass and his travelling cabal of misery. (He wants Iran to act "responsibly." Isn't that TOOOOOO precious? Such a confused little monkey.)

Another voice that won't be stilled (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:33 PM)

John Doe, that was the funniest damn thing EVER! Honestly, I could easily picture Bush doing that in private... with the help of his trusty bottle, of course. Oh yeah, he's back on the sauce again... just look at him and listen to him.

What a sad waste of humanity.

M. Boley (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:34 PM)

What was the name the Admiral used for Petraeus? I guess Bush better send an SUV full of Blackhawk boys for both the Admiral & the moveon guys.

PJ (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:39 PM)

So bush is mad. That makes me glad. The only thing he did was open his mouth again, and every time he does I hate him more. What a disgusting, lying, supercilious, horrible person he is. This man should not only be impeached, he should be in jail.

Blue state baby (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:39 PM)

WHY is congress wasting time to vote on something that basically says "we don't like free speech being used like this" ???

Ben, Chicago IL (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:41 PM)

Votes are in. Here are the Senators who think its just fine to tear down the military and to hate the men and woman who defend this country. Gee, all D's after their names. Shocker!

This was also a quick and easy way to identify the Senators on the moveon payroll. No surpises.

Akaka (D-HI)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dodd (D-CT)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Levin (D-MI)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

And the ones that run and hide cause they're just too scared to vote:

Biden (D-DE)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)

Jay Maludin, Marquette MI (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:41 PM)

Heh. You people ought to get together for a St. Vitus Dance circle,or some such. The vote,at least,proves that the top Dems are in the pocket of a partisan PAC,thus becoming puppets of MOVEONs making.[and proving its Directors claim that he ''owns'' the Democrat party]. What ''shame''there is,lay in those who hypocritically wailed over what Max Cleland [D-Ga]endured,yet refer to a serving,decorated general as a ''puppet'' or ''stooge''of Bush.[offering no proof of this whatever,of course]. Meanwhile,in Iraq,casualties of all persons therein outside of al Qaedas continue to drop,as does Congresses approval ratings.

Lee Holmes (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:43 PM)

The democrats are being tested and simply need to employ republican tactics to kill this vote before it ever reaches the floor. Republicans will employ any and all greasy, obstructionist strategies to save their collective a$$es. But beyond that, free speech is free speech and clearly a non-issue for the Senate - other than as a political smokescreen for the refugs to hide behind.

This is only the start of some very dirty politics in the coming months ahead....democrats need to get ahead of the curve for a change. Petraeus is a Bush mouthpiece and nobody in their right mind expected him to say anything other than what he said at this late stage of the Bush bait-and-switch game. What??
Somebody expected the unvarnished truth? Get real -

As Johnathan Altermann recently said on Media Matters, the Bush administration is genius at creating a cascade of political missteps that follow one after another - just when you think they've done their absolute worst, along comes another fiasco that trumps the last one. The Cheney plan to bomb Iran is the one everybody needs to get ready for - not so long ago political pundits gave this scenario about a 50/50 chance of becoming a reality - lately the odds have changed for the worse. The backlash would be monumental and beyond calculation in too many ways to count - that's never stopped this bunch before.

The people apparently have no protection against the psychos in the Whitehouse - certainly not in Congress - because of the impossibility of getting a veto-proof majority......it's not going to happen.

If we last long enough to vote these mis-begotten characters out of office without embarking on WWIII, it will take shear dumb luck - I personally don't think it's part of the plan.

T-Rex (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:44 PM)

Sure, I'm mad at the Republicans who pressed this, but am I the only one TOTALLY SICK OF THE DEMOCRATS who let themselves be manipulated?? I am NEVER giving money to the Democratic Party again. For Pete's sake, have some backbone and stand up for the people who elected you, Democrats. We ARE being betrayed by our leaders. Why isn't anyone but MoveOn saying it? Why isn't the whole country saying it? What, we're supposed to be absolutely silent and patriotic for decades until this war is over? We would STILL be in Vietnam if that's what we had done in the 60's. Shame on this country, shame on the Republicans who don't see their own hypocrisy and SHAME ON THE DEMOCRATS for betraying - yes, betraying - the trust of their constituents. I'm sending money to MoveOn today.

JL (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:48 PM)

Does anyone else feel we ought to be emailing our congressmen tonight and asking them WTF?

jeani o, saint inigoes, md (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:51 PM)

Jay, those people you pointed out are the only ones who give a rat's ass about free speech. Now go tell that to your scumbag Righty talk show losers.

And now to you directly... obviously, you are not intelligent enough to understand that the ad isn't about 'hate' - you cons just love that word, right? - it was simply a joke... you know, the same sort of joke that Ann Coulter likes to tell when she calls John Edwards or Al Gore a f*g. Just a joke!

Get it now?

M. Boley (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:53 PM)

It's okay. He can play checkers with Colin Powell when this travesty is over(Hopefully Soon). Since they both will be unemployed and obscure for being Dupes.

M Mapp (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:09 PM)

Jay, check out which Senators voted NOT TO GIVE OUR TROOPS THE EQUIPMENT AND MEDICAL CARE THEY NEEDED WHEN THE IRAQI WAR STARTED.

HINT: THEIR NAMES WILL HAVE AN (R) AFTER THEIR NAMES FOR PARTY AFFILIATION.

Then check out which Senators voted to give them WHAT THEY NEEDED. HINT: THEIR NAMES WILL HAVE A (D) AFTER THEIR NAMES FOR PARTY AFFILIATION.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:14 PM)

Matthew you ignorant ass,If outting a CIA agent isnt treason what is 1942 or 2007 what is?

kenn (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:18 PM)

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Stefan von Ellenrieder, San Antonio, TX (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:23 PM)

Well, Lee, if you have proof that those who voted against the 'resolution' are 'in the pocket' of MoveOn then you had better post it. Otherwise, retract what you said now.

You're not gonna get away with pulling that Limbaugh/Hannity/Levin crap here.

M. Boley (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:23 PM)

How dare MoveON.org publish an
attack on the great hero. Saint
(Gen.) David Petraeus? After all he
is an intellectual who graduated 43rd
in his class at West Point, and he is
serving in a combat zone (as a general,
not personally in combat). BTW, has he
ever actually served in a combat role?

His record clearly places him beyond
criticism, or even question. Right?
Hmm, didn't GOPers have some nasty things
to say about General (Ret.) Wesley Clark,
who finished first in is class at West
Point and who was seriously wounded in
Vietnam and who acted under fire in Kosovo
to save soldiers under attack? Just
asking. Shouldn't the GOPers also rebuke
Admiral William Fallon, Petraeus'
commander, for calling him a
"chickens**t?"

I am appalled that everyone hasn't sought
to inflict bodily injury on MoveOn's
people for even THINKING a negative
thought about the deity Petraeus. Oh,
let us sing his praises!! Hallelujah!!
Burn the MoveOn folks!

Pathetic!!!!

Andrew Smith, Bowie, MD (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:25 PM)

I don't agree with personal attacks on a General with an outstanding record of serving this country. What has MoveOn done in comparison to serve our country? Multiple bombs going off in this country at one time will change General be tray us, to General please save us. The ad was stupid.

Jerry York Aberdeen, Wa (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:27 PM)

Please just everyone get out and silence these big GOP cry babies in 2008. Already nobody but O'reilly and the kool-aid drinkers are paying any attention to them. Let's all just ignore them while they throw their fit and then vote them out! That's the only way we are going to restore civil discourse or get out of Iraq.

James Thomas, Denver, CO (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:28 PM)

Hypocrites..Republicans can't even take care of veterens. It's Democrats who support programs to aid them when they come home from war. And don't forget..every veteran that has spoken against the GOP has been labeled a traitor and slandered...EVERY one.

Jake (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:29 PM)

Good work, Pat.

Now all the intellectually challenged Righties can eat their own words on how Dems NEVER support the troops. In fact, they can choke on them for all I care.

M. Boley (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:30 PM)

Bravo JL...I got out my Visa card and my AMERICAN Express for donations to move on and Senator Clinton.
I do it once a month anyway so now I will do it twice a month!

H P Boston (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:32 PM)

Matthew you don't believe in the First Amendement?? Congress condemning free speech is a fundamental error. This is why the lost last election..and I can only imagine how far they would be willing to go if they still had the majority. Too bad some peole in this country are so blinded by their hate for Democrats and GOP critics to actually understand that. Atleast the Dems took the GOP's stick(pacifier) away from them..the resolution passed, now they can put their panties back on.

CJ (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:36 PM)

I think the best thing to do is just chill and find a better name for the General.

GENERAL CHICKEN SHIT BETRAY US, and we give him 5 stars for being a good liar.
After all he earned it, if he had not lied for the shrub he would be in a heap of rubble in ANBAR!!!!

H P Boston (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:42 PM)

Well, H P Boston, Admiral Fallon summed it all up quite well when he referred to Betray Us as an "ass-kissing little chickenshit." For those who are ignorant, Admiral Fallon was Betray Us's superior.

Now... I want those on the Right (and those worthless dweebs on the Left) who voted for this 'resolution' to do the same thing to Admiral Fallon. Do it!

M. Boley (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:01 PM)

Matthew, you don't have to remind us to 1942. We are still frightened to think the KKK hanged people because of their color. And Matthew, you should be lucky to think you are living in the 21st century when you can access different voices in the internet.

David, Houston, Texas (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:03 PM)

I don't remember seeing such an outrage over the other non-binding resolutions introduced by demoncrats. Guess they are wimps too. But what's more important, all of Democrats are cowards, that betrayed this country.

AKinGA (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:23 PM)

I suggest all you people who think it's "ok" for movon.org to run this ad, move out of the U.S.
It's people like you who are destroying our country.

Caroline Stone, Santa Monica, Ca. (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:27 PM)

How do some of you live with the hate you have for the military? The Moveon.org flap had nothing to do with free speech. No one said they, or anyone else, cannot say what they want. It was a hateful anti-American display to put that ad in the Times. The Times should have refused it. That type of display is unprecedented. Anyone one in agreement with that organization should receive the kind of criticism they are getting today.

Isabelle Lino (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:28 PM)

A free speech issue?!?!?

Here's some free speech. You people are deranged.

Komol Edgard, Twin Falls MT (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:31 PM)

These sleazy politicians can take out ads anytime they want to attack each other and manipulate public opinion to suit their own agendas, but when a grass-roots organization of actual American CITIZENS express an opinion we have to suffer through this demented stupidity.

What happened to our freedom of speech? It seems to have left the country when this regime took power.

Shame on dorky McCain. Once thought to be the only Republican with the guts to go against the administration and stand for something, he's turned into another Rudy-type sell out for political gain.

J, Kennebunkport, Texas (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:32 PM)

You liberals are amazing! This is a tactic to corner the democratic party and type cast them in a specific and undesirable light. Are you really so stupid not to understand that that is what the democrats have done for 6 years solid before they one back the house and senate?!?

Please tell me that you are not THAT stupid!!!!!!!

Bill, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:32 PM)

So, which nutshell is the pea under this time?

BillinDetroit, Detroit (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:33 PM)

There certainly are some pathetic people posting here!
We all need to back our soldiers, move down .org went too far.

John Wayne (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:40 PM)

Oh please! You Dems need to stop acting holier than thou. Moveon.org went over the line and they're being called on it. Get. Over. It!!!

Teejoy (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:45 PM)

non binding vote on a BS ad by a bunch of worthless Liberals? Hey you stupid Republicans in the Senate. Stop acting like worthless democrats!!! That's what got you thrown out for in 06

PS: If you can't see the difference in an attack on a Politicians running for President who just happened to serve in Vietnam for 4 months, and a current General risking his life now you need help. Duke Cunningham was a highly decorated Vietnam "hero" look where he is.

Besides who needs a bogus move like this when there is all kinds of video floating around of "so called" democrat leaders that can be used in ads later with that moveon ad as a back drop :-)

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:51 PM)

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