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

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 here.

Comments

[Lautenberg]

A Liberal shouldn't have to be afraid of other liberals. I agree with them 70% of the time, but they don't speak for me and it's better they don't "pull a Hilary" on Obama and bully him into their agenda.

[grumpygranny66]

He is smart enough to know better!!!!! they cannot bully him into do anything he does not want to do.
And if he should forget, Michelle is right there to remind him. BO is too smart no one call pull wool over his eyes.

[filo]

I going to miss their videos.

[truthyguy]

As I understand it, the videos will still be there; just the manner the money to pay for them is raised will change.

[EuroPreacher]

Ok

[loki]

I hate move on. They started out ok, but have turned into radicals. Not only that, even if you just sign one of their petitions, you are spammed with 15 emails from them every hour. I did not want to receive their emails and even opted out, but they still do it. Now the emails say someones name, for MoveOn..... They just changed the header a little. They are no better than any other 527 out there.

[Davwbaird]

wow not my experience. We will continue raising small donations and many of us give directly to Obama and I am having a bake sale this weekend. Lots of fun being involoved helping to eloect the next president, teaming up with others who want a huge change.

[Raymondf]

Obama is smarter than I thought, if only the American people were that smart, not to believe any of the 527's on either side.

[XME]

So true. It's a shame that 527s are so nasty because it actually works. I think it speaks volumes that when McCain had originally asked someone to stop a smear ad, and they said no. Says to me that Democrats are more respectful of wishes, Obama was more aggressive, and that Republicans don't seem to think they can win an election without trashing the other team. Sad.

[Paladine]

This is a good move, MoveOn...

[bbbear]

Yes it is... Still, I liked the baby/momma ad and gave another few bucks a couple of days ago...
And just this morning the ad came up again on MSNBC.... Here on Fox Island in Washington state. I like it better each time I see it...

[Davwbaird]

that was in conjunction with a great union.

[ashabot]

Suuuuuure the Republicans, party of BIG government and BIG BIG BIG spending and ZERO accountability will follow Obama's principled example. They'll just zip those loopholes right up.

[bbbear]

Obama and Staff will have enough money to, if necessary, control exactly what they mean to say while rapidly responding to anything the death loving repubs throw at him...

[wesinohio]

I remember hearing about "rapid response teams" from Kerry's campaign in the last presidential election, but I kept waiting for those responses and didn't hear any. It was just as frustrating as waiting for Dukakis to respond to Bush I, and just seeing him stand there with a stupid look on his face shaking his head and saying nothing. This year, whenever I read something spun against Barack, I read his great response. Obama is continuing to conduct a great campaign.

[proudloudlib]

Walking the Walk!

[grumpygranny66]

And talking the talk!!!!!!

[jimmy2001]

see one man can make a deference

[grumpygranny66]

Yes He Can!!!! OBAMA 2008/2012

[Political_Know_How]

I'm proud of MoveOn for taking this presidential campaign cycle seriously and getting with the program. 527s were yesteryear. It's a new day and the Democratic party is doing things in a new way. Average people will be the overwhelming majoirty of Barack's financial support. This is the American way and I'm finally proud of my country.

[rubberneck]

I need to break with this party and go indy. They are such weenies.

[bbbear]

But you're right. Dem polictians are mostly spineless curs. Well, not all dems, i know some who are terrific and tough.. And I strongly suspect Obama is off the tough and terrific groupll. But I changed from Indy to dem because I wanted to participate in WA state dem primary's.

[bbbear]

Adios amigo!

[kimbari]

Bye!

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

What makes me furious is now the NYT and others in the main stream media are treating Obama's decision to not accept public financing as the first time a candidate in this election has flip flopped on an issue. If the media was doing it's job it would have branded McCain as a serious flip flopper he is on many important issues. Let me remind people that McCain has flip flopped on allowing torture, closing Guantanamo Bay, permitting offshore drilling, reversing his once principled stance on the Bush tax cuts even for the wealthy, even offering more tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations and passing comprehensive immigration reform. Worse yet on all these issues McCain has reversed his moderate position to fall in line with the failed policies of Bush. If the media was doing it's job, McCain would rightly be labeled a candidate who has no principled position on many of the most important issues this country faces today.

[Davwbaird]

McFlip is tnhe greatestest of all time.

[BigBen]

It is certainly not the first time a candidate has flip flopped on the issues . A candidate did it on international trade with Mexico and Canada. A candidate did it on withdrawal from Iraq. A candidate did it on recognizing the freedom of Jerusalem. A candidate did it on talking with terrorists. A candidate did it on renouncing his church. But I could go on and on so what is the big deal about election funding? Get used to it.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

I must admit that I was shocked to hear that every presidential candidate has accepted public financing since 1976. The reason I was justifiably shocked was because for the last four election cycles that I have observed political campaigns both Clinton and Bush had raised campaign funds constantly throughout their administrations. This speaks volumes, obviously the whole concept of public financing is a complete joke. If Bush and Clinton before him really relied on public funds to get elected they would not have taken millions of dollars from corporations and special interest groups. Bush would not have been placed into power with big oil money. Clinton would not be using the Lincoln bedroom like a bed and breakfast and would not have the Chinese fund raiser scandals. It is completely naive to think that presidential candidates do not coordinate with their respective party committees to use this soft money for the purposes of winning presidential campaigns. If McCain is using public financing why is he constantly having fund raisers with big business and even with the politically toxic Bush?

[mollyjackson]

If you beleive that MoveOn will close its 527.....I have a bridge to sell you!

[bbbear]

Since the majority of folks in MoveOn are Obama supporters, you can bet your a$$ MoveOn will do whatever Obama tells us to do.

[NotPC]

No, I think it is the other way around. THEY will still be telling Obama what to do.......they might not be in the form of "MoveOn", they will simply "morph" into something else during the election. This organization leaves such a "bad taste", and they know it. I am sure they will continue doing their business, but under another name. Soros isn't going to sit out an election this important.

[BigBen]

Such humble servants of the Lord. Say but the word and I will be healed.

[marymansour]

GO OBAMA! You are laying waste to the old, worn system and effecting real change already.