Biggest Democratic 527 Cancels Plans For McCain Ads

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."

Those familiar with the group's decision cast it as largely the result of the stated desire of Sen. Barack Obama's campaign to not direct funds to outside organizations in hopes of better controlling the Democratic message in the fall. (Note: Ben Smith of Politico first reported this story.) But the group was also struggling to raise the money necessary to be a major force in the presidential race and was riven by internal divisions.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[mamacat]

"What does it profit a man, if he gains the riches of the world, and loses his soul?"

In the long run, it is much preferable to run a clean campaign, but by necessity one that does not let the criminals of the lunatic fringe get away with their dirty tricks and Big Lies. This way, we might move on to a better society, one that does not rely on the tactics that the Right has been employing.

[barackobama4prez]

Obama is a REAL maverick. Notice how his supporters echo his themes and follow suit. Notice how people ignore McSame? (he couldn't even get them not to air their negative ads which are failing miserably).

We are already getting a preview into their respective presidencies. Barack will have the respect of his leaders, McBush will not.

[karmafriend]

just taking aim at mccain isn't going to work. dems need to keep reminding the people of all the things corporate republicans, in all government agencies, have done to destroy exactly what those agencies were set up to protect, just so their greedy backers could make more money. the dems need to make the point that electing another republican prez, will not get the foxes out of the hen houses -- it will only be 'business as usual'.

[Teritt]

Wonder if it's legal for them to pay off some of Hillary's debt?

[jah2008]

Who do you mean by "them"? If you mean by Obama camp, then no, it's not legal for Obama to give Hillary money directly from his own campaign. He is, however, free to raise funds on her behalf.

[Teritt]

I meant the 527 'Progressive Media'.

[tyruler]

Democrats and progressives might be forgo attacks, have decency, and act with humanity...do you think the Republicans would tone down their vicious rhetoric?

If anything they'll go full throttle in character assissinating the first potential half-caucasian, half-African President of the United States.

As much as I hate to say it, they DON'T HAVE MERCY...and if Democrats want to win, we must ALSO learn to BEAT THEM AT THIS GAME (again as much as I hate to say it). We don't need to stoop to the vicious, vitriolic level of Lieberman/McCain appeasement of Israel and neocons, but we can surely attack John McSame on the issue after issue.

[barackobama4prez]

I think the repub attacks will back-fire like they did with Clinton. We'll just have to see.

[ibsteve2u]

"do you think the Republicans would tone down their vicious rhetoric?"

I hope they don't. The public can still remember the "Swift Boat" ads, and what they got for listening to those ads (namely, Bush) cannot be anything but fresh in their minds.

Should the Republicans again use such tactics, the only response that needs to be made is: "If they talk like scum, advertise like scum, and give results like scum - then by golly they are scum.".

[4wehttam]

This just goes to show you that McWar has NO control of HIS party. None................................OR he's just pretending to fight back against the 527's on his side.

[olivia]

That's great, but who will fight back when the Swiftboaters make good on their threat to smear Obama?

[barackobama4prez]

The media and Obama's supporters will. But we will fight back with TRUTH. The truth will kill the repubs this year.

[XME]

Hopefully this move will serve as a challenge to McBush to work harder to prove he is in charge of his own campaign. Though I'm sure that there will still be other 527s out there who will fight back against any Republican smears.

[SpoxLogic]

We will. A million volunteers can make a lot happen. Besides, all you have to do is run ads showing McCain flip-flopping and we're all set. I figure there'senough material for at least 4 or 5 good ads.

[Charmed]

Ditto, we'll fight back any smears they have cooked up.

[going2ireland]

A wise decision on their part.