For Edwards but is MoveOn a 527?

[mirrera]

I am a little uneasy about this "outlawing 527s. It is pretty easy to expose who funds these groups, and in MoveOn's case they represent over a million citizens who write in and tell them what we are interested in. If the coin if the realm is TV, how else can the average joe buy some time to "talk back"? Can someone tell me that John Edwards would not outlaw MoveOn?

[last1standing]

1. Ok. Edwards would not outlaw MoveOn.

What he might do is work to enact legislation that could change how they function so that other, less scrupulous 527s (swiftvote veterans for truth ring a bell?) would be better monitored and would have to function with more transparency according to regulations.

You see, nothing is just black/white like that. There are reasons people suggest things and, unfortunately, some people try to take advantage of other people's lack of information to get their way even when against the popular interest. This is one of those times.

[mirrera]

2. Another question...

So you think that JE is being pushed into a black and white stance on the issue? Or do you think that it is not a black and white issue whether or not the 527s are helpful?
I have written to MoveOn multiple times to try and get Eli— who had all that face time after the Petraous ad— to stop them from framing MoveOn as a "left wing group". Some of these 527s are indeed "groups". MoveOn is more a citizen's coalition. I hope people on Edward's staff are keeping him up to speed. I am seriously thinking of traveling to NH this coming weekend to volunteer, and then I heard him today and got spooked. He is really good at doing his homework and this is one of those times...

Any clarification is VERY appreciated.

[last1standing]

3. I don't think Edwards is being pushed into a black/white stance at all.

I think that is how some have decided to interpret his remarks. MoveOn is a great organization and one that has been beneficial to the Edwards campaign as that is what its members have asked for. However, it would be dishonest and illegal for him to try to limit the power of groups like the swiftboat liars without limiting the power of groups like MoveOn. Edwards isn't trying to silence either group, he's trying to lessen their ability to unduly influence an election with lies and slander. This is something we should all support, in my opinion.

[mirrera]

4. Thank you!

You sound like you know what you are talking about.

[last1standing]

5. Not usually, but thanks.

:hi:

[mirrera]

6. This is the quote, I found it:

"Unfortunately, you can't control them...But let me make it clear – I think money has corrupted our politics and these groups should not be a part of the political process."

See, I agree with you that they should be monitored, etc. BUT I think in this day and age they need to be part of the political process.

[last1standing]

7. But your belief and his comments are not contradictory.

Edwards says that "these groups whould not be a part of the political process". That is correct. Like most real democracies, elections should be paid for out of a government fund to allow the people to hear all sides with regardless of their proponents' respective wealth. However, Edwards is also right when he says "Unfortunately, you can't control them". Right now a loophole in the election laws allows 527s to operate nearly without any regulation whatsoever. I don't know if you remember, but MoveOn was not born out of desire but out of raw need. The 2000 election showed us what 527s could do when they obliterated the Gore campaign with lies and innuendo. MoveOn, who's name was based on the bushinistas' change of "Move on, get over it" was created to counter the undue influence of these 527s that had destroyed Gore's hopes for the White House.

So, yes, ALL 527s need to be regulated and even made illegal due to public financing of elections, but until that day we must treat all of them equally so MoveOn would not be made illegal while others were allowed to prosper. I hope that helps.

[LaPera]

8. Get real!! Edwards is liberal/progressive - as is MoveOn

Hundreds of thousands of MoveOn.org supporters and contributors support John Edwards....I'm one, and I know many more!!

[mirrera]

9. Uh... Get real? Sheesh...

That is not needed. Real questions/real answers. Works everytime...