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Democratic civil war update: MoveOn raises $3.6 million to attack party moderates

By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
11/06/09 5:43 AM EST

A few days ago, the left-wing activist group MoveOn.org began sending out emails seeking contributions to fund primary challenges against any Democratic senator who does not fully support "health care reform with a public option." Now there's an update: MoveOn executive director Justin Ruben says the group has raised $3,578,117 for the project and is thinking of new ways to punish errant Democratic lawmakers.

"It's a huge sum, and the clearest signal yet that any Democrat who helps Republicans filibuster health care reform will face an enormous backlash from the grassroots," writes Ruben. And now, working in conjunction with Howard Dean's old organization Democracy for America, MoveOn is starting a drive to take away the committee chairmanships of any Democrat who fails to live up to MoveOn's progressive standards. "Many of these senators hold coveted committee chairmanships that give them significant power within the Senate," Ruben writes. "Our friends at Democracy for America have launched an open letter urging Senate Democrats to strip committee chairmanships from any Democrat who filibusters health care." Ruben says that more than 66,000 MoveOn and Democracy for America members have pledged to contribute.

"Chairing a committee is a privilege, not a right," Ruben continues. "So if a member of the Democratic Congress joins with Republicans in the most important vote in a generation, then they certainly don't deserve a position of power controlled by Democrats."

The latest statements from MoveOn and Democracy for America come amid continued media analysis of divisions in the Republican party. MoveOn's threats -- backed by millions of dollars and tens of thousands of progressive activists -- have received far less attention.
 




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Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

flacracker

Nov 6, 2009

Who the heck let these dogs out?

 

Kevin

Nov 6, 2009

I find it amazing that these activists are spending their own money to give more control over their lives and liberty to the government.

Any sane person would be fighting!

 

KansasGirl

Nov 6, 2009

The line in the sand has been drawn. I'm sure the libs are shocked by what happened Thursday. And to think the people that showed up in Washington weren't community organizers or union thugs. Heck, they weren't even paid. This country will be taken back from this abyss.

 

JamesJ

Nov 6, 2009

...but according to our "unbiased" MSM, its the republicans that are having a civil war.

 

Dave LeBlanc

Nov 6, 2009

This is good news, Democrats beating up on themselves at their own expense. Let's hope is continues for the next several years.

 

Robert Scaramuzzino

Nov 6, 2009

I say let them eat their own, Blue Dog Democrats should be Republicans anyway. 40% of America considers themselves to be Conservative only 20% Liberal. In 2010 we will show the Socialists that America is a center right nation based on free markets and free people. The Son's of Liberty are rising to defend our great traditions.

 

depaz

Nov 6, 2009

So, if they DON'T vote w/the queen, they'll be stripped of their chairmanships. But if they DO vote w/the queen, they'll be elected out of office and lose the chairmanship anyway. MoveOn clearly needs another strategy

 

Campbell

Nov 6, 2009

America is in a revolution. Listen to their what the left is saying. This is not about changing America into what we have always been or known, but a new socialist state, copied after the failed states of Europe, Russia, and other dictatorships.

 

anne can

Nov 6, 2009

these blue dogs only ran as dems. because they knew no reps. would be elected during and after Bush. The dem. party encouraged conservatives to run to get the majority. Now they find out IF YOU LAY DOWN WITH DOGS YOU GET UP WITH FLEAS. HA HA on them!

 

anne can

Nov 6, 2009

They ran as dems because they couldn't win as reps. during & after Bush. The dems used them to get majority. Now dems finding out...If you LAY DOWN WITH DOGS YOU GET UP WITH FLEAS. HA HA on them!

 

greatgrampa

Nov 6, 2009

This cartoon is from the year I was born they new then.(1948)
Joe McCarthy new too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVh75ylAUXY
--------------------------------------
Also check out this link note the date that the quote was made. America we have been had. We have got to rise up and crush these people.
http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/t/706385.aspx
--------------------------------------
Who is going to fire the first shot? And before anybody say's that I'm nuts think about it. It is fast approaching end game. Now where have I heard that before OH Yah end game, garden plot government names for military martial law. It is the only way the socialists can now win as America is awake and because of our inbred love of our country we are not already on our way to Washington---- Armed

 

subsonic5

Nov 6, 2009

Well I'm sure that once you taste you own blood you want more, this is the lion eating their own. I guess when you don’t have the right stuff then the RUFF stuff has to do so you can force people to do what you want. Tyranny like that can only be met with equal force and equal force in this case is for those officials to do what they fell is best for the people that voted them in office not a bunch of thugs

 

phaedrus

Nov 6, 2009

the keyword is 'pledged' in 'pledged to contribute' not 'raised' as you say. its like saying i will contribute so much..its not actual money they raised.

 

bobc

Nov 6, 2009

Those Progressives that wormed themselves into the Democratic Party..should leave the party and form their own.

They can call it the Soros Party!

 

Pamela

Nov 6, 2009

It would be a great move of and a huge stance if all the Blue Dogs ALL together just switch parties in a show of strength against this kind of nonsense.....

 

anne can

Nov 6, 2009

PAMELA I was just going to suggest that, as to BoBc
those moderate and conservatives who wormed their way into the dem. party COME HOME we need the majority back right now TODAY

 

my

Nov 6, 2009

Look Corzine lost even though he uses tons of money for his re-election. We should defeat this monstrosity.

 

Nov 6, 2009

if there being pressured to vote against the wihes of their constituents, then maybe they should switch parties

 

kitman3

Nov 6, 2009

go kevin
I find it amazing that these activists are spending their own money to give more control over their lives and liberty to the government.

Any sane person would be fighting!

 

gobnait

Nov 6, 2009

MoveOn.org-Amoral liberal thugs making empty threats-as if they can overcome the will of the American people. Your antics have awakened the angry silent majority. You have no one to blame but yourselves.

 

Jay

Nov 6, 2009

This woudl be all well and good if the bill was actually worth all this hub-bub. 2.4 Trillion? 2000 pages? More beauracracy? The bill stinks! Why persecute someone for wanting to see a real solution over this insane power grab? If the Democrats woudl take their time and do this right, they may just get more folks to endorse it. The bill is bad and won't solve anything. They also forget to see the fact that Medicare denies more claims than any private insurance company.

 

Sean

Nov 6, 2009

The Democratic way- any dissention will not be tolerated, you will do as you're told, you are not entitled to an opinion. You do not represent the people who elected you, you only follow the commands of The Great One! Great system, isn't it?

 

foster970

Nov 6, 2009

Tea-Party should welcome the dem's that stand with the constitution. Vow that they will support any Dem that sides with the founders.

 

Jim Treacher

Nov 6, 2009

Gee, sounds like a PURGE.

 

Blair

Nov 6, 2009

"Well I'm sure that once you taste you own blood you want more.." Actually you don't. It does makes you go a little weird though. It happened to me once in a sporting altercation.

 

tucanofulano

Nov 6, 2009

The Pelosi Plan ("PP") ought to be soundly defeated. Any Democrat even just thinking of re-election anytime in the future must vote "NO" or look for a streetsweeper's job. The hijacking of the Democratic Party by the Marxist anti-American loudmouths has resulted in the complete devaluation of its credibility. Well, the Democrats always go for multiple objectives in every sneak attack against the American people. In this case 1, 2) ABORTIONS for ILLEGAL ALIENS, 3) Increased CONTROL OVER actual AMERICANS, 4) higher TAXES, 5) PAYBACK to SPECIAL INTERESTS 6) an endless list of PORK

 

Jules

Nov 6, 2009

Threats now? They're having to resort to threats to beat their own into submission?

Excellent!

 

Jenna

Nov 6, 2009

Apparently, the Democrats' "big tent" isn't quite as big as they claim.

 

grizzlybare

Nov 6, 2009

Lack of money has not been an issue for
the Democrats for a long time now....
it's more a lack of brains. If they
squeeze this bill out of the House it
will prove me right...in spades.

 

Donna

Nov 6, 2009

Someone needs to do a poll on how many reg.democrats will vote rep. in 2010. I know i am done with the demoncratic party! I LOVE MY COUNTRY!

 

knight for life

Nov 6, 2009

haha... and I PLEDGE not only 50 trillion dollars but MY VOTE to elect their butts out of office if they vote for this ridiculous peice of garbage being touted as "reform".

 

COMMENTMAN

Nov 6, 2009

MOVEON.ORG and DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA. 2 PROGRESSIVE / COMMUNIST ORGANIZATIONS. They want their way, no matter what.

 

COMMENTMAN

Nov 6, 2009

What happened to the Democrat Party ??
Looks like the average Democrat took a nap. Now it's all about LOONEY TUNES in Washington. The average Democrat must be Embarrassed to be a part of this charade. Has the average Democrat given up to the radical Progressive / communist takeover ???

 

moveonmember

Nov 6, 2009

The amount of money that they think that they have raised is pledged money, not money that is in the bank at this time. We all know that just because someone pledges money, it does not mean that they will be able to collect all the money pledged. Moveon.org is using a new tactic to scare blue dogs...don't fall for the bluff. Make them show you the money.

 

Rick

Nov 6, 2009

This is why all democrats who are tired of these tactics and threats need to register as an Independent like I did. Also any republicans who are dissatiusfied with liberal spending and not listening to our views should also register as an Independent. If enough people do it it will both parties will lose the money they receive and will get a rude awakening of exactly who is in charge of running this country. Its we the people not politicians!

 

Rocky

Nov 6, 2009

I was at the teaparty rally in DC on thursday, 11/5/09, Rep. Backmann said their were 20,000 of us there. I know I didn't have room to move. It was great being with like minded people who are willing give up their time to safe-guard our constitution. We started chanting: NANCY,NANCY,NANCY for about a minute because we knew she could hear and see us. Lots of the curtains opened during the rally, it was great. I think they are going to delay their vote, to protect themselves, by blaming it on the Reps. and that's fine, I don't care what their excuse is as long as it doesn't bring the final nail in for socialism. HOORAY FOR CONSERVATIVES AND AMERICA.

 

ctmom

Nov 6, 2009

I thought the civil war was in the Republican party. I'm so confused. ;)

 

Nov 6, 2009

Pamela ,you have the gift of prophecy

 

ctmom

Nov 6, 2009

Rocky, you must be mistaken. I read on Huffpo that there were only hundreds of people there. Even though you were actually there, I'm sure they know best. ;)

 

Linda

Nov 6, 2009

I'm betting they didn't raise any money. Soros is just writing another big check.

 

Mike O

Nov 6, 2009

This is pure BS. Their 'pledge' effort collected no actual money, nor even collected credit card info. All you need is a login to MoveOn to 'pledge' any amount you want. I took their approach to it's natural extension and have done far better than them here:
http://datatroll.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/counter-moveon-non-pledge-pledges/

 

Ricki

Nov 6, 2009

Any real blue dog isn't afraid of any progressive challenger. They know their districts doesn't want the public option.
Moveon.org is a legend in their own mind.

 

kygater

Nov 6, 2009

Moderates: Now is the time for you to decide whether to support your country, and the people you serve, or to cave to groups that will ruin you. This country depends on those we elect to choose wisely, and special interests only care about one thing....that is not the majority of the people. However, the majority are the ones who vote. We have spoken, and we hope you are listening.

 

Bay Area Patriot

Nov 6, 2009

MoveOn cannot vote them out, unless they cheat. People need to start keeping an eye on the memory cards in the voting machines. That is how they got all these dems elected, probably by swapping them. There was an article about it. That would explain a lot,

 

CapitalistClothing

Nov 6, 2009

Billionaire Bolsheviks like Soros or the late Armand Hammer,Richard Branson & that Baby Rhino,Oprah have made this nightmare real.

 

Eve Smith

Nov 6, 2009

If the health bill is passed, they are
going to be voted out anyhow. So, do
something else with your three million,
idiots!

 

Mosey On Soon

Nov 6, 2009

Purge,Putsch or Pogrom -any way you slice it,it spells Un -American.

 

Jeff Weimer

Nov 6, 2009

Well, the Republicans have learned the lesson form their base - see Jeff Sessions and Michael Steele re: NY-23.

Will the Democrats? It took an election for the Republicans to see their light. I see less ability to recognize wall-writing amongst the Democrats.

Of course, I actually hope the blue-dogs ignore the moveon "progressive" types.

 

done that

Nov 6, 2009

The answer for these embattled Dems is easy. Defect, and erase the Obamunist majority. Cut a deal with the Repubs: keep your chair and give them some clout. Save face with your constituents, defend the constitution, stay true to country. Presto. Now your a hero. Imagine the power of a mass defection.

 

Panz

Nov 6, 2009

Now, when I'm attacked I don't belly up and crawl into the fire. I turn and fight my attacker. Any Democrat that returns to the "fold" has the abused spouse syndrome. They need to recognize this themselves before they can be helped.

 

Todd

Nov 6, 2009

Oh I see, when conservatives want to represented we are "Purging" moderates.

When the left raises money to ruin candidates that dont march lockstep what's that called?

 

David

Nov 6, 2009

Is it just me or is George Soros the ugliest person you've ever seen?

 

MOS II

Nov 7, 2009

Allow me to rephrase a line from a previous post. Rather, "...anyway you spell it-it is Un-American."

 

Nov 7, 2009

Wotka for everyone!

 

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