Progressive Media USA Abandons Effort To Comply With Obama's Wishes

Progressive Media USA, the group organized to be the main soft-money advertising vehicle for Democrats in the fall, will dramatically scale back its efforts in deference to the wishes of the party's presumptive nominee.

"Progressive Media will not be running an independent ad campaign this year," David Brock, the head of the organization, confirmed in a statement obtained by The Fix this morning.

"Progressive Media was established to be an independent on-going progressive issue advocacy organization," Brock added. "We were not established for one issue, one candidate or one election cycle. But donors and potential donors are getting clear signals from the Obama camp through the news media and we recognize that reality."

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[condieshoes]

I rather agree that this is a bad idea. Kerry took the "high road" with the swiftboaters and they killed him. He responded to late, not enough.

However, if Obama himself, comes out and answers their smears it will be a different day.

Right next to Obama's response on u tube to W and McCain regarding Israel and the idiot in chief's speech, was a hit job on Obama that is smooth and well produced and full of lies and inuendo.

Obama has to address this stuff, someone has to, must do it!

He'd better not get to high to respond to the lies that will be told about him........

[mamacat]

I agree with this decision. It is better for the long term health of the nation, and the world, if the candidates run on the issues and only relevant personal information.
I happen to believe that what McCain has said and done so far is enough to make most people look very seriously at Obama as a viable alternative. By comparison, Obama is a much better candidate. In fact, there is almost no contest. McCain is a pale shadow compared to Obama, and only the truth should be used in the campaign.

[MissingAmerica]

Obama is a class act!

[deecee22]

PEOPLE, FRIENDS, Obama has shown us his brilliance. MAYBE, Just maybe he has something "different, not deficient". Give him a chance. I don't like this either, but everytime i/we feel hopeless, Obama comes through and makes us proud. The GOP are attacking Michelle now, I am livid. We know what coming. Obama knows what coming. BUT we must believe/hope that Obama has out-smarted us all.

[uheardme]

This is a mistake.

For political theater, David Brock needs to break with Barack Obama and run ads everywhere. Then Barack Obama should softly, gently, and subtlely disavow the ads while reinforcing the points made in the ads.

COME ON DEMS. THIS IS SERIOUS.

[nellie]

I don't know about this. I think Obama is going to need all the support he can get. He can't do it all himself. He ran an excellent Democratic primary, but the key of Republican success in the past two general elections has been their ability to attack the Democratic candidate from all sides—especially in the corporate media. I think Obama is underestimating how much support he is going to need. The general is going to look like four months of the Wright episode. He's going to need some cover.

[axt113]

Obama: How can Senator McCain be expected to run a country when he can't run his own party, i've called on the democratic 527's to stop their attacks, however Senator McCain seems unwilling or unable to do the same, so which is it senator, is your promise to run a clean campaign only a lie, or are you too weak to confront your own party?

[filo]

I thought their ads were very good. Using McSame's own words against him is the best way to prove what a BS artist he tries to be.

[candyc]

The problem is the psycho hate groups. They will ignore McCain.
When they "swiftboated" Kerry, they ran the ads on down market (cheaper) media outlets.
The National Mainstream Media grabbed it and played it to death on every network and cable station -FOR FREE.
I think we need to organize and start writing to them to tell them NOT to do that again.

There would be no problem with outside advertising if it wasn't for these disgusting creeps.

Last year, when we were marching against the war in DC, these Swift Boater people were pressed up against the fences-screaming at us. They were insane. Men and women alike. Snarling rotweilers spewing hate.
We were a very peaceful, determined group, doing our civic duty. You would NOT have believed how terrifying these "people" were. Fat, ugly, flag draped, snarling,screaming, obscene.
They reached over the fences and tried to push us. They screamed "Whore" at a woman with a baby in a stroller. As the march ended, they became truly frightening and tried to be physically intimidating. Even the DC cops were disgusted. We were all shocked by the violence emanating from them.

The media should shun their ads

[vschicago]

candy you said: "The problem is the psycho hate groups. They will ignore McCain."

That's the idea, you see. If McCain can't have these groups concede to his wishes, it shows that he has no leadership ability or influence at a presidential level...that's good because it demonstrates why he should not be POTUS.

[hmmmmmer]

The Republicans will use their 527's a lot, but you know what I am guessing the American people for the most part of sick and tired of it and the Obama campaign had better have the commercial ready that tells everyone that they are trying to play to the intelligence of the population rather than the divisiveness of groups that are racist and stupid.

[NeoStar9]

This worries me a LOT. The Republicans will go strong with their 527s and there need to be something to counteract them. The only other way is to somehow convince stations not to air them. That is going to be almost impossible though I think unless the Obama camp and DNC offer to pay more what they would charge a 527 to run an ad. Meaning when they are approached they then go to the DNC and the DNC pays them instead so they don't run the ad. Would that even be legal though?

[candyc]

Doesn't the media have a responsibility to the country? Let's demand it.

If it wasn't for these hate groups, we could have a very civilized election.