Some Conservatives Return To Old Argument
Outside Advocacy Group Aims To Rally Support by Backing Bush's Initial Claims on Iraq
By YOCHI J. DREAZEN and JOHN D. MCKINNON, Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
WASHINGTON – The television commercials are attention-grabbing: Newly found Iraqi documents show that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, including anthrax and mustard gas, and had "extensive ties" to al Qaeda. The discoveries are being covered up by those "willing to undermine support for the war on terrorism to selfishly advance their shameless political ambitions."
The hard-hitting spots are part of a recent public-relations barrage aimed at reversing a decline in public support for President Bush's handling of Iraq. But these advertisements aren't paid for by the Republican National Committee or other established White House allies. Instead, they are sponsored by Move America Forward, a media-savvy outside advocacy group that has become one of the loudest -- and most controversial -- voices in the Iraq debate.
While even Mr. Bush now publicly acknowledges the mistakes his administration made in judging the threat posed by Mr. Hussein, the organization is taking to the airwaves to insist that the White House was right all along.
Similar to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth -- the advocacy group that helped derail John Kerry's presidential campaign -- Move America Forward has magnified its reach by making small television and radio ad buys and then relying on cable- and local-television news outlets to give the commercials heavy coverage. Move America Forward has no discernible formal ties to the White House or the Republican National Committee, and the group says it operates independently from the Republican Party establishment. Still, the organization provides a clear benefit to the administration by spreading a pro-war message that goes beyond what administration officials can say publicly.
The effect of the ads hasn't been measured. Amid a simultaneous flurry of speeches by the president and a ramped-up RNC effort aimed at boosting the war, polls show that Mr. Bush's job-approval ratings, specifically his handling of the Iraq situation, have risen this month from all-time lows.
"The White House has really done a poor job of getting the message out, which is why we've had to step into the breach," says California-based Republican political strategist Sal Russo, one of the group's three founders. "They should do a better job of coordinating with those willing to get out and tell the story. We shouldn't be the only ones out here fighting."
The White House didn't return several calls seeking comment. A Republican National Committee spokesman declined to comment.
Move America Forward has raised more than $1 million, mainly in small donations, over the past two years. The group grew out of the successful 2003 effort to recall Democratic California Gov. Gray Davis. It was officially founded in 2004 by Mr. Russo, whose company provides office space for the organization; Melanie Morgan, a conservative San Francisco radio host; and Howard Kaloogian, a Republican former state assemblyman seeking the congressional seat of former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who resigned recently after admitting to taking bribes from defense contractors.
One of their early efforts was a campaign supporting John Bolton's contentious nomination as United Nations ambassador. Another involved backing U.S. detention policies at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by selling "I [Heart] Gitmo" bumper stickers.
When the White House was caught flat-footed this summer by the emergence of Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier turned vocal administration critic, Move America Forward sent pro-war protesters to her camp in Texas and mounted a parallel bus tour of war supporters that culminated in a large rally in Washington. The counter-Sheehan campaign showed how the organization has raised its profile by staging well-publicized rallies and public events that attract substantial media coverage, even if the number of participants is relatively low.
In July, with the administration facing a torrent of negative media coverage of the war in Iraq, Move America Forward sent five conservative radio-talk-show hosts to U.S. military bases in Baghdad for a week of upbeat broadcasts. Ms. Morgan says that, during her time in Iraq, she rode up and down the so-called highway of death leading from Baghdad's airport seven times to prove to her listeners that it wasn't as dangerous as media reports suggested.
In addition to his Iraq political work in the U.S., Mr. Russo has an open-ended political-advertising contract with the Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq for whom he produces advertisements that run in the U.S. seeking investment in Kurdistan. Some critics accuse him of having a vested financial interest in prolonging the U.S. presence there.
Liberals question how the group has maintained its status as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, which requires strict nonpartisanship, given the anti-Democratic tone of its campaigns. The group's Web site, www.moveamericaforward.org, for example, attacks the current chairman of the Democratic National Committee, referring to "Howard Dean types who only see a future of failure for this country."
"When you have people participating in partisan activities with nonprofit dollars, that's really something the IRS needs to look at," says Tom Matzzie, the Washington director of the liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org, another frequent target for Move America Forward's rhetoric. "An organization with a shady tax status participating in partisan activities and saying things that aren't true is a rogue element in American politics."
An Internal Revenue Service spokeswoman declined to address the issue, saying that it is agency policy not to "comment on individual taxpayers or organizations." MoveOn is a "political action committee," meaning its donations aren't tax-deductible and must be disclosed.
Move America Forward officials acknowledge that the group's leadership is conservative, but insist they are nonpartisan and point out that the organization also has criticized Republicans. They say that the organization has no connections to the Bush administration or the Republican Party and has been unable to get meetings with White House personnel. And they say there is no conflict between the organization's advocacy work and Mr. Russo's financial ties to the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq.
"If you consider being pro-America and pro-troop to be Republican, then we'll proudly take that label," Ms. Morgan says. "But we've never been embraced by the White House or made part of a secret-right wing conspiracy."
Indeed, Ms. Morgan says she is baffled that the White House no longer makes the case that Mr. Hussein had WMDs. The White House dropped the claims after a variety of investigators found no evidence to substantiate them. But Ms. Morgan says her ads are justified, based on documents given to her in Iraq by an Iraqi general she identified as Abdul Qader Jassim, and on information from U.S. officials involved in the hunt for weapons there. She believes Mr. Hussein possessed WMDs, and that those weapons remain in Iraq today. It couldn't be ascertained that Mr. Jassim is a general and he couldn't be reached for comment.
The organization has kept up a steady drumbeat of pro-military and pro-war commercials in recent weeks. Its newest radio ads, timed to the holiday season, feature parents of service people killed in Iraq or on their way back to the country. In one spot, a woman described as military parent Deborah Johns observes that the "the terrorists know they can not defeat our military -- they can only win by beating down the morale of the American people."
Several Move America Forward officials hope to participate in the Iraq debate more actively than through mere advocacy. Mr. Kaloogian has an early fund-raising lead in the crowded field of Republicans hoping to succeed Mr. Cunningham, the former U.S. representative who resigned after admitting taking bribes. And Move America Forward Executive Director Robert Dixon, furious over a recent troop withdrawal resolution passed by the Sacramento City Council, is weighing a run for a seat in the hopes of getting the declaration reversed.
Write to Yochi J. Dreazen at yochi.dreazen@wsj.com and John D. McKinnon at john.mckinnon@wsj.com
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www.VelvetRevolution.us
"Move America Forward" to wha
"Move America Forward" to what?
One of these messengers of death and destruction says "We shouldn't be the only ones out here fighting." If he wants a fight, I simply am asking him why he and his apparently wealthy brethern are not lining up at the local military recruiting offices and volunteering to go fight in Iraq. After all, if it is a fight these people are looking for they need go no farther than such recruiting offices to get what they are looking for, right?
Imagine, these clowns are actually reverting to positions, proven beyond any doubt, and in some instances, admitted by the administration to be false. And, get this, those who are seeking and/or exposing the truth are "willing to undermine support for the war on terrorism to selfishly advance their shameless political ambitions." Now that IS THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK!
Don't you just wonder how much these clowns got from the Bush tax cuts that they have this spendable cash around to pay for these "public service ads"? More likely, these clowns are propagandists bankrolled by the extreme right neo cons to portray the appearance of spontaneous support for Bush. The timing leaves me greatly suspicious as to the sincerity of this effort.
Hard to Imagine, But...
They may very well be perfectly sincere:
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0002F4E6-8CF7-1D49-90FB809EC5...
---The Bikemessenger
Move America Forward
calvin is sufficiently "experienced" to recall "Tail Gunner Joe" brandishing his list of known communists in the government. A list nobody else ever saw. Ah, yes, the days of a subversive behind every Bush. In this rush to paranoia, has anyone in MAF considered that Bushco controls everything in the government and that if such documentation actually existed, that it would be on Faux News every five minutes? Does anyone think that if such documentation actually existed that King George wouldn't have a receiving line of genuflectors toadying up to him 24/7? And, broadcast on C-SPAN? Interspersed, of course, with politicians, heads bowed, offering contrition and mea culpas. From the background could be heard the King, "Off with their heads."
calvin suggests that such enthusiasm on the part of MAF is misplaced. MAF should, instead, be working to find the Italian forgeries and their origin. Now there's a story that has legs. But, then again, MAF, like BUSHCO, doesn't deal in reality.
Yeah, the Move Forward Americ
Yeah, the Move Forward America folks seem to be a joke. Seems their last forum activity was from back in June. Man, nobody around there to play with.
Here's a copy of a letter I sent to Melanie Morgan on Dec. 05. I haven't heard back from her yet.
------------------------------------
"Just wanted to say this is the first time I've heard of you and wanted to thank you for the laughs this morning concerning your article titled "The Liars of the Anti-War Movement".
I honestly don't know if you really believe all the stuff that you wrote in this article, or you just like to hear yourself talk, but I've always found absurdities to be humorous.
I perused the "Move America Forward" site, and just need to point out a few glaring omissions that tell me that you're not as pro-war as you'd like your readers to believe, that your mission statement of "...committed to supporting America’s efforts to defeat terrorism and supporting the brave men and women of our Armed Forces." could be improved upon.
1. Where are all the links to military recruiters? As someone promoting the war effort, it seems you'd be using all of your power to promote and encourage the young of America to enlist, or get commisioned, in the military service to help in "supporting America's efforts to defeat terrorism". Many of those soldiers are on their third tour and are tired. They need relief and we need to win. I would suggest putting seperate links to all of the branches of the military recruitment offices on the Move America Forward site. That would show a genuine concern that you want this war to continue to victory. Posting numbers of those who have enlisted through your efforts would be great. Get active in your recruiting efforts so we can win this war!
Otherwise, you may just be coming across as another comedic blowhard, like Coulter or O'Reilly. So I'll be checking your site time to time for those links and your full effort to back the words you write, as these should be links right on the home page of 'Move America'.
2. I admit, I haven't deeply looked into the 'Move America' site, but I didn't see anything in there promoting the reinstatement of the military draft. What a coup it would be for you personally to rally behind and promote the draft, as this would ensure a continuing effort to fight and win this war. Our guys are tired over there and current recruitment efforts aren't doing well. Your star power (well, as much as an AM radio star can have) just might be able to rally enough of your readers to push their legislators in Washington to bring in the draft again so we can continue, as is your desire, our strategy to fight and win this war. It's what any red-blooded American would do, right? We want to win this, right? Your site promotes the soldiers, and no greater gift could be given to them then to give them relief to come home for awhile. THAT'S SUPPORT! Again, I suggest a permanent homepage link for a grassroots movement to reinstate the draft. To you, personally, this would be a great feather in your cap to be the woman who drove the draft, which bulked up our military, which led us to victory faster in the war.
3. Is your son of age yet to serve in the military? I'm assuming you and your husband are too old for military duty. There is nothing like leading by example, so I'm sure your fans would love to know which of your relatives you are currently promoting military service to, how you are doing it, etc. Project ahead for a moment. Pretend your son is now of military service age. What will be your talk with him to fight for this noble cause? As this war may drag on, according to some administration officials, you are facing this reality. It would be a great article! Then encourage other readers to do the same, swap ideas as to how to get your loved ones to enlist. Promote the honorable thing in helping protect America. That would definetely show your sincerity along with the words you write. You don't want us to lose this war, right? You want to support America's efforts in defeating terrorism, right?
C'mon, Morgan, prove to anyone reading you that you are sincere. Those actions will show that you are a woman of convictions. By following one, or more, of the above suggestions, you'll prove you stand behind your words, instead of being some lame blithering idiot.
To end, you said, "Is it any wonder then, that some of us do indeed question the patriotism of the anti-war crowd?". I submit to you, then, that those who do support this war are far more unpatriotic by not encouraging their of-age sons and daughters to join with our honorable troops currently fighting. That is a plain and simple fact that has been totally sidestepped everytime is has been brought to the pro-war crowds attention. All I see are people talking loud, like you, but doing nothing to prove their words.
Understand this, Morgan. This is not the mindset of Vietnam. We support the troops. It's the administration that needs an enema for having put those brave men and women into a war of choice. As was admitted by the administration, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. There was no reason to go there is such force. The administration was so incompetent, it missed the country that actually attacked us! Incredible.
President Theodore Roosevelt said: "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
Really, lady, you need to get a clue.
Anyway, it was a pleasure reading your article. Thanks for your time and morning laughs. You're doing a heck of a job, Morgan.
Looking forward hearing from you. Also looking forward to joining your forum. That's gonna be a hoot!
Regards,
Tom Newton, US Navy (retired)"
----------------------------------------
Those poor, deluded, self serving, lost and dishonest saps.
Viewed From The Other Side Of The Atlantic
Being only a colonial cousin on the other side of the Atlantic, it can at times be hard to put into context what is taking place in the big apple, or at its core, Washington DC. So if my summing up of the following situation is incorrect, please excuse me.
Firstly: George and his cabal deliberately fixed and cherry picked what evidence they had to fit it around the policy for a war against Iraq, as indicated in the Downing Street Memo’s, then sent Colin Powell to lie to the United Nations, Ms Rice to lie to the rest of the world, while Cheney and Rumseld lied locally.
Secondly: After a speech made by Bush in regards to Saddam Hussein having tried to acquire significant amounts of uranium from Niger in Africa, Joseph Wilson who went to investigate this claim, then pointed out that Bush’s statement was incorrect. This prompted a retaliation from the White House in which Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, a CIA agent, had her identity revealed to the press by someone in the White House. This is now under official investigation.
Thirdly: Having found no WMD’s, by way of chemical or biological weapons or deadly gases, or nuclear weapons or any attempt to reconstitute nuclear weapons, Bush and his cabal now admit that the intelligence they received was somewhat awry.
The fact that Iraqi’s and Americans are dying each day because of this war is not awry intelligence, that is true.
Fourthly: Bush, now facing some of the lowest poll ratings in American presidential history and with a war in Iraq being far from `Missions Accomplished` and with the American public turning away from him, in fact seeking to impeach or censure him, in keeping with all good American westerns, at the last minute, the US cavalry comes to the rescue in the form of `Move America Forwards`, with new evidence that Saddam Hussein had WMD’s and anthrax and mustard gas, and best of all, `extensive ties to al –Qaeda`. Surprisingly, from this side of the Atlantic, it appears that the White House does not seem to be interested enough to investigate this new evidence.
Fifthly: If the White House is showing no interest, could congress, or some official non partisan investigative body be authorised to look at this new evidence and determine its validity. It does appear strange that a beleaguered president is not showing interested in what could be a life line being thrown to him in his hour of greatest need, or is it a line that could just entangle him even more? A sceptic might see this as an attempt of lying by proxy.
Graham, I think your countryman made this video >
Powerful PNAC Video :
http://openyourmindseye.blogspot.com/2005/10/pnac-video.html
GOOGLE PNAC> "OUT" THE CABAL !
http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pnac4gi.jpg