MoveOn To Close Its 527 In Response To Obama's Candidacy

Talking Points Memo:

MoveOn, the advocacy group supporting Barack Obama, has decided to permanently shutter its 527 operation, partly in response to the Illinois Senator's insistence that such groups should not spend on his behalf during the general election, I've learned from the group's spokesperson.

MoveOn's decision, which will dramatically impact the way it raises money on Obama's behalf, is yet another sign of how rapidly Obama is taking control of the apparatus that's gearing up on his behalf.

By shuttering its 527, MoveOn is effectively killing its ability to raise money in huge chunks from labor unions, foundations, and big donors who would give over $5,000. The decision doesn't mean MoveOn will stop spending on Obama's behalf. Istead it will raise money exclusively with its political action committee, whose average donation is below $50 and will even be raising money with things like bake sales starting this weekend.

Read the whole story: Talking Points Memo

Comments

[nativeeyes]

Native American's and their Casino's have been donating to MoveOn.Org for years.. It's ok for them to go clean for Obama...

Clean up Washington OBAMA!!! Your Transparency Act to clean it up.. Keep up the great work...

We are all in need of this Change....

Now we will keep giving our large 100k donation to WE THE PEOPLE COALITION

http://www.wethepeoplecoalition.org/

The Republicans and McCain are TOAST!!!!!!!

[BigBen]

FISA is his latest "Transparency Act.", Another flip flop.He should take his act to Vegas.

[several]

This is silly lipservice by MoveOn.

What Obama really wants is for the 527s to stay out of the campaign.

If they truly wanted to honor his wishes they'd stop focusing on the candidates and instead focus on actions and ads specific to the issues instead of the candidates.

But they're not doing that, they're currently collecting donations to buy air time for their "Alex" ad (specifically an attack on McCain.)

[bbbear]

What "Alex" ad? Sign me a MoveOn member in good standing.

[several]

You're a MoveOn member but aren't getting their emails? Check your spam/junk folder.

This "Alex" ad:
https://pol.moveon.org/donate/alexad.html?id=12896-1557967-NndLRbx&t=2

[RickO]

The continued existence of Reublican 527s says one of two things (or both): Either McCain does not have the same influence and control of his party as Obama has of his, or there is a tacit approval to use 527s because they are badly needed.

The president is the defacto leader of his party and Obama can now say of McCain, how can you be an effective leader of the free world if you can even control your own political party?

On the other hand, if McCain shuts down his 527s, he loses a huge and very critical donor base.

This is a smart strategy by Obama. It's a lose-lose for McCain.

[Davwbaird]

McCain has a very snall base. He will no be the repug nominee

[Incredulous]

You whiny pedants make me shudder.

[kimbari]

Hey, I'm not a pedant. I would never EVER touch a child that way!

[Countdown09]

I'm a donating supporter of MoveOn and always will be. Besides their work in helping a particular candidate their greatest efforts have been to keep our politicians honest. I'm glad they've taken this position without reservations. Sen. Obama must be allowed to control his message and follow through on his promise that his campaign donations will come for ordinary people.

[jhink465]

I would like to see MoveOn (I am a member) focus its resources on helping Cindy Sheehan defeat Pelosi in November. Pelosi, Hoyer, Harmon and the othe Democrats that violated their oaths they tok to uphold and defend the Constitution are enemies of Democrats and the nation. I urge MoveOn to use their clout to rid the country of these traitors.

[bbbear]

I'd like to see Pelosi replaced but I'm not sure Cindy Sheehan is the one. I mean, she's brave as hell and has a huge heart... Ummm, but.... I know this sounds shallow... But I can't stand her little girl sounding voice...

[idealist100]

Pelosi is a good and reasonable legislator. And I agree with her vote.

Obama '08

[gladys46]

"shutter" makes sense! MoveOn decides to ...close an aperture!?

[snowhusseincat]

ummm, why are they *shuddering*? Is it because they are SHUTTERING their 527 op?! Do people get paid here at Huffpo? Quality control? Are the facts checked as diligently?

[santamonica39]

Huge mistake. This should not happen until McCain agrees to do the same with the 527s attacking Obama. This is leverage and we can't have a campaign where all the negative attacks are one-sided

[BigBen]

McCain agreed to use public funding and look what happened.Obama reneged or flip flopped again from our Child God.Do you hear the sound of one foot flipping?

[idealist100]

This is a huge positive. Because it preserves the notion that "the people" are taking control of the DNC - buying an interest in the party the same way the big corps have been buying BOTH parties in the past.

It would be disingenuous (at best) for DNC/Obama to say "the people own this campaign" while at the same time accepting money from places like moveon.org who would take large individual donations. If they (Obama or the DNC) did that, I'd lose all respect and trust in them.

Once again, smart move by Obama.

[BigBen]

I thought buying influence was wrong?I guess it is only when THEY do it.

[meanguy]

flying under the radar, i see...they've already dropped some bombs on mccain...time to run and hide before the other side has a chance to respond. now will come the inevitable 'whispering campaign and 'push polling' along with targeted local buys that the larger media will 'fail to notice'

[DoomtoNeoCons]

I'd really like it if all the people bitc*ing about spelling and such, would just get the hell over it and talk about the topic at hand.

[dithered]

I would think that if the Post would fix the typo, we could move on. What is your problem with the letter H?

[gladys46]

In the body of the article they use "shutter"

[bbbear]

As a guy who types fast and makes a lot of typos, I fully agree...

[JDJase]

Probably a good thing, I would see 527 ads from MoveOn being more of a liability to Obama anyway. I don't think he wants any "Betray Us" style ads being linked to him

[noodlebit]

I think "shudders" should be "shutters" don't you guys? I've looked at that headline and shook my head, trying to understand it as worded.

[ckemp]

TPM has "shutters," which is correct.

[barkingcat]

Yes -- that is correct. Unless, of course, HuffPost is talking about tremors...

[soot]

They won't be able to purchase large ad buys - their strategy will probably focus more on mobilizing their members, volunteering, registering voters, phone calls, etc. - you know, real campaign work - which I think is far more effective.

[MissKaren]

I think all the ethical operations may do the same. I think it's sad that it has to be that way.

[nclayla]

The Republican 527s will still be operating.

[ghop]

Actually, it looks like they aren't. 527's got such a bad rep from the last election that McCain can't afford to be seen as supporting them either.
Here's the link:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11220.html

[robynuva]

Actually, according to politico.com, R's 527's are kind of in hot water. The donars don't like MC"MRI anyone?"Cain, and aren't real happy with his stand on campaign finance reform. Most are having a hard time getting money, or are totally out of business this election cycle. Also, they were all geared up to go after HRC, and now have to scrap those plans.

We shall see . . . .