At first glance I was thinking the MoveOn endorsement for Barack would be disastrous for Hillary

[mtnsnake]

It really might be, but on second thought, I'm not so sure.

Lets face it, if you're talking Democratic Primary only, then most people influenced by this endorsement were probably going to vote for Obama anyway. If that's not correct, it isn't my point, anyway....

My point is, even though many of us liked MoveOn before today (and many still do), MoveOn is a huge turn-off to Republicans and many Independents. This endorsement could have just as much a negative effect on those fence-sitting Independents and Republicans who Barack was reaching out to...as it will a positive effect on the Liberal base in the Democratic Party. Maybe I'm wrong and I'm sure you'll let me know if I am.

The other thing is, if Hillary survives this and goes on to get the nod, she'll be in a position where she distance herself from MoveOn if she decides it's in her best interest. Afterall, there are as many people who think the recent controversies sourrounding MoveOn are too risky for any of our candidates to get too attached to anymore. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

(edit: changed most to many)

[Larkspur]

1. The Republicans will frame MoveOn's endorsement in a negative fashion

The key is how the Democratic candidate reframes the endorsement. I'm not confident in Obama's reframing ability. He hasn't shown me that he can reframe right wing talking points.

[mtnsnake]

10. The first thing that crossed my mind is that fat-ass Limbaugh & Co will crucify Obama over this

Anytime a repuke can make a direct correlation between MoveOn and a Democrat, that Democrat's name becomes Mud.

[Bitwit1234]

27. In all seriousness. Why would it make a difference as to who

endorsed who or not....I have a mind of my own and no matter who endorsed who it wouldn't influence me. If people are that easily lead that just because a celebrity picks someone, then they vote for them, they shouldn't be allowed to. Ten senators more than for the other candidate have endorsed Hillary...I didn't even bother to read their endorsement. I PICK MY OWN. But if the other candidates supporters are so wishy washy and can be lead by the nose then they should get in Oprah's chorus line.

[KittyWampus]

30. Larkspur, Obama's ENTIRE CAMPAIGN has been reframing right wing talking points

[panader0]

2. Move On has what, 3,000,000 members?

[RetroLounge]

5. 3,200,000 members

3,000,000 who did not vote to endorse

RL

[robbedvoter]

6. HAD, before this boneheaded idea. We'll see how many will be left. DU is a pretty

good indicator for the real world - where the reaction may be far more spread.

[jlake]

21. My guess is they lose 300K-400K members over this.

[robbedvoter]

3. GOP-ers, independents see Moveon the way we see the Free Republic

So, for the GE, not so good. If she loses because of this. Moveon shall lose membership as well (beyond today). Either way, bad, bad move.

[mtnsnake]

7. Exactly, but can't it also have the same negative effect on Indies during the Democratic primaries?

[NYCGirl]

4. But there's also money, boots on the ground, and a big mailing list. NT

[Uben]

13. All of which Obama would get if he was the nominee

Obama would have gotten MoveOn's endorsement if he was nominated anyway. He would have enjoyed the support of all of the 3.2 million members and their donations. This pre-primary endorsement put a dent in that support and a huge dent in the Moveon membership. Not smart at all.

[NYCGirl]

14. The local groups can use those MoveOn people right now. It'll help at lot

on Tuesday.

[Uben]

19. But those of us who donated to MoveOn

...who are Clinton supporters have been sleighted. That's the problem! They are using our funds to support a primary candidate we do not support.

Of course, we would all support the nominee, we are democrats. This was uncalled for and extremely ignorant.

[NYCGirl]

20. Did you vote? NT

[mtnsnake]

16. Yup, you are right. It's almost like MoveOn had one big brain fart when they decided this

Instead of having unanimous support, all MoveOn did was put a huge dent in their own pocketbook from now on.

Anyway, their endorsement could end up being the kiss of death for the candidate they chose to single out as well as financial suicide for their own organization.

[ErnestoG]

8. That's funny. You wanna really see the RW, indies and many Democrats united?...

Then nominate Hillary. They will stumble over themselves to vote against her.

[jkshaw]

9. I read that one of the most important

things about MoveOn's endorsement would be the help of MoveOn volunteers to help on the ground in the Super Tuesday states. I don't think the MoveOn people thought they'd impress Independents and certainly not Republicans with their endorsements, because of the very things you point out.

[juajen]

11. Yeah, the pugs and indies could go against him for this endorsement

as well as the Teddy endorsement. Weird, isn't it? I'm glad I canceled my Moveon membership.

[mtnsnake]

12. It's getting very very interesting, isn't it

[NYCGirl]

15. They also hate Al Gore and Russ Feingold, but I wouldn't turn down their

endorsements.

[mtnsnake]

17. Big difference, though, when the endorsement comes before our Primary has been decided.

[NYCGirl]

18. So the GOP wouldn't have any problem with MoveOn AFTER the primary?

:shrug: Is that what you're saying?

[mtnsnake]

22. Actually, in your post #15, I thought by "their" that you meant MoveOn, not Gore or Feingold

Sorry about the miscommunication.

[Leopolds Ghost]

29. So you're ashamed of liberal wing of the Party and don't want their endorsment even?

[movonne]

23. Yes they will...but so what...ann colter said she would campaign for

hillary...who cares...

[mtnsnake]

25. MoveOn and Ann Coulter are two very different entities. One is not taken seriously at all

Guess which one.

[movonne]

28. Maybe not, but when I read stuff on here about coulter you would think

she counts...but I do agree that there is a BIG difference....

[DrFunkenstein]

24. She Distanced Herself From MoveOn With The IWR Vote

And has been at odds virtually ever since with her sabre-rattling. This was not a big surprise for me.

[mtnsnake]

26. Most probably she did, but it's still suprising they made this move at this time

knowing they could lose a great deal of their own supporters who fund them.