MOVE ON.ORG AND NEW YORK TIMES SLAPPED WITH FEDERAL LAWSUIT!!

The ACU files an FEC complaint against MoveOn.org and the NYT

Crossposted From RedState:

I don't know that this has hit the pop media as yet, but a press release tells me that the American Conservative Union (ACU) "has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against MoveOn.org Political Action and the New York Times Company for violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971," as modified by 2002's BCRA.

On Monday, September 10, 2007, MoveOn sponsored a full page advertisement in the New York Times attacking General David Petraeus prior to his report to Congress regarding the status of the United States military operations in Iraq. The open rate for a full page black and white advertisement in the New York Times is $181,692. MoveOn only paid $65,000 for the ad, according to multiple press reports.

The New York Times Company’s “discount” is in effect a corporate soft money contribution to a federal political committee. MoveOn’s acceptance of this corporate soft money contribution exceeds federal contributions and is a clear violation of FEC laws.

Now, I'm well aware that some would be embarrassed by such a suit, because…

The New York Post reported that The New York Times charges a higher rate, $181,692, setting up erroneous reports that MoveOn got a "lefty" discount. But the higher price is for ads guaranteed to run on a specific day, said New York Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis.

I'm sure the ACU lawyers have looked into that and have a counter-answer set.

Read On…

Redstate's Erick Erickson makes the point on my mind:

How kind of the Times to make sure they had an open slot on the day Petraeus's testimony ran so MoveOn could make its ad more timely.

Review the books.

“ACU demands a full and thorough investigation of the cost of the Ad and the discount given by the New York Times Company to MoveOn.org Political Action, for payment by MoveOn of the usual and normal charge for the costs of the Ad and the requisite civil money penalty for violation of federal law by each of the Respondents,” ACU Chairman David A. Keene stated in the FEC complaint.

We shall see what the FEC has to say.

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YES!!!! Finally someone hold these bas***** to account.
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President Bush Rips Democrats Over MoveOn.Org Ad

Bush hammers Dems on MoveOn.org ad

President Bush said Thursday that he has reached the conclusion that “most Democrats are afraid of irritating a left-wing group like MoveOn.org.”

Bush said the MoveOn.org ad describing Gen. David Petraeus as “General Betray Us” was “disgusting,” adding he was disappointed that more Democratic leaders have not spoken out against it.

"That was a sorry deal ," Bush said.



The ad, which many Democrats have publicly criticized, drew a strong response from Republican leaders and presidential hopefuls.

During a White House press conference, Bush weighed in on the issue for the first time. The president said it was one thing to attack him but indicated that he would not stand for attacks on Petraeus or the military.

He added that he was disappointed that not more Democrats spoke out against it, saying it shows that they are more worried about alienating left-wing groups than the military.

MoveOn.org reacted to Bush’s statement with an attack of its own.

“What’s disgusting is that the President has more interest in political attacks than developing an exit strategy to get our troops out of Iraq and end this awful war,” said Eli Pariser, the executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action Committee.

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Bravo President Bush!! Oh this is going to be a knock down drag out fight, but it is time to take MoveOn down a peg or two.

UPDATE:

Senate Condems MoveOn.Org Ad

WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Thursday to condemn an advertisement by the liberal anti-war group MoveOn.org that accused the top military commander in Iraq of betrayal.

Took long enough Morons! How about the House?