by Frank James
Try this on for triangulation. The liberal group MoveOn.org runs a controversial full-page New York Times ad critical of Gen. David Petraeus, pretty much saying he's a traitor.
Rudy Giuliani then takes out his own full-page New York Times ad but instead of attacking MoveOn.org, he pummels Sen. Hillary Clinton for not denouncing the MoveOn.org ad, and for asking tough questions of the general at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing this week.
The Times's advertising department may be the only winner in any of this.
Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, wants to drive home the point that he's the Republican who has the best chance to beat Clinton in a general-election message. He wants Republican and independent voters to envision him competing fiercely with her in the general election.
So he takes out the full page ad (here's hoping he got the same price MoveOn did so as not to further outrage the political right.)
Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain also hopes Republican primary voters view him as the GOP candidate with the right stuff to defeat Democractic front-runner Clinton.
But he can't splurge on a full-page New York Times ad, having blown so much of the money contributors gave him at an earlier point in campaign.
So he had to be satisfied with a press release Wednesday in which he questioned whether she's "tough enough" to be president if she can't even stand up to MoveOn.org.
Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, is taking a less Clinton-focused approach than Giuliani and McCain. On MSNBC this morning, he said:
...And I'm afraid the truth is that MoveOn.org has purchased the Democratic Party, if you will. That it's funding, and the status of this 527, and the voice it has in the Democratic Party is so powerful that it's now calling the shots. And that Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama and John Edwards are afraid to repudiate an ad and organization which has taken a disgusting course against a great American."
But at least he got Clinton's name in there. That's more than can be said for Fred Thompson.
At a campaign appearance yesterday at which he mentioned the New York Times ad, Fred Thompson didn't mention any of the Democratic candidates by name. Not Clinton, not Obama, no one. He merely said "And the majority of the Congress, the Democratically controlled majority, will not disavow it."
Perhaps it was a sign that he doesn't get what Giuliani and McCain do, that the race for so many who will vote in Republican primaries is largely about who can beat Clinton.
The Associated Press carried this response to the Giuliani ad from Clinton's campaign.
Responding Friday to Giuliani's criticism, Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer said, "It's hardly surprising that Mayor Giuliani is running the first negative ad of the '08 campaign, given his inability to justify his unqualified support for President Bush's failed Iraq strategy.
"Senator Clinton respects Gen. Petraeus' service to our country. She knows the best way to honor our soldiers is to end the war in Iraq and bring them home," Singer said.





Comments
Boy, the NY Times has a good thing going here. What a way to jack up declining
ad revenues.
Posted by: Pierce | September 14, 2007 2:09 PM
"Here's Rudy"
Another GOP Drum Beater, beating the wrong drum. He is doing Senator Clinton a favor riding the "WHITE HORSE" the "WHITE PONEY" MERELY to find out that Admiral Fallon may give Congress the TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. He may not give a Generals Dream, but an Admirals Day.
So Rudy, keep beating that drum, John McCain did and he still begging for Public Money.
THERE GOES RUDY!
Posted by: Roger Morris | September 14, 2007 2:18 PM
Move-on had purchased the Democratic Party the same as the Religious Right has purchased the Republican Party. However, have faith that the people of America, the voters, will vote their hearts and not their party. The sooner we all become independents and let go of these self serving special interest groups, (political parties) the sooner we will achieve true Democracy. Re-register today as an Independent. Stop supporting both Democrats and Republicans. Support individuals who owe nothing to anyone other than the voters.
Posted by: San Miguel | September 14, 2007 2:18 PM
"Here's Rudy"
Another GOP Drum Beater, beating the wrong drum. He is doing Senator Clinton a favor riding the "WHITE HORSE" the "WHITE PONEY" MERELY to find out that Admiral Fallon may give Congress the TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. He may not give a Generals Dream, but an Admirals Day.
So Rudy, keep beating that drum, John McCain did and he still begging for Public Money.
THERE GOES RUDY!
Posted by: Roger Morris | September 14, 2007 2:19 PM
"Rudy's Clinton ad part of I-can-beat-her campaign"?
Huh?, Rudy can't even get his own family to vote for him.
Hillary would crush "him"....again.
The Wingnuts keep crying about Dem fundraisers all the while Mitty and Rudy are having their own problems with these things:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQwaZjc5-Ds
Posted by: John E | September 14, 2007 2:20 PM
The White House and Rudy Gigoloiani have also released a video defending Petraeus from so-called "partisan attacks":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiuRhy4CqzU&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edailykos%2Ecom%2Fstory%2F2007%2F9%2F13%2F213357%2F362
Posted by: John E | September 14, 2007 2:23 PM
There is only one Republican who can beat Hillary and that is Ron Paul.
Posted by: Nunu | September 14, 2007 2:36 PM
Let me see if I get this. The guy who says voting for Democrats means more 9/11s wants the Democratic Party to condemn an outside group who took out and add in the NY Times demanding that we get an honest assessment of the situation in Iraq from General Petraeus? Is this guy an idiot? The fear he spreads on every stump speech is more vile and dangerous to America than groups demanding objectivity and candid reports.
Posted by: jethro | September 14, 2007 2:41 PM
Frank, could you please provide the "tough questions" that Hillary asked the General? Please provide them so we can see what they are. I do remember her telling the General he was a liar, which I find incredulous when this thing impersonating a woman and a senator hasn't told the truth in over 30 years.
And, at least Rudy has the balls to take on Hillary, the Queen B, himself. You see Barack sends out his wife to attack Hillary. The Breck Girl has his wife attack Hillary. Neither is man enough to attack the Queen B himself. It's pretty bad when the one female candidate running on the Dem side is more manly than her two rivals: Barack and the Breck Girl.
Posted by: John D | September 14, 2007 2:48 PM
I hope Rudy got the NY Times "MoveOn.Org" discount on the ad.
Posted by: Brian | September 14, 2007 3:40 PM
If you look up the word "liar" in fairly recent dictionary there should be a picture of both Hillary and Bill.
Posted by: Lt. Bookman | September 14, 2007 3:46 PM
Rudy is an idiot. He should be attacked for not going to bat for the many first responders to 911. I guess all those people coming down with respiratory problems. The way Rudy Giuliani has bucked responsibility for this serious health issue speaks volumes about his shabby brand of leadership!!!
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48725630_rudy_giuliani_rudy_giuliani_rudy_giuliani_plays_politics_health_9_11_firefighters_and_recov
JUAN GONZALEZ: Well, as you know, there was the hearings yesterday in the Senate, and on Monday in the House of Representatives, Christie Todd Whitman will finally have to be called to task directly to explain what the EPA did on 9/11. Congressman Jerrold Nadler will be questioning her and the head of OSHA -- the former head of OSHA, as well. But when you see Christie Todd Whitman or some of these officials, or Rudy Giuliani now going around the country as the hero of 9/11, what are your thoughts?
JOHN FEAL: Well, Juan, Christie Todd Whitman should be in jail for manslaughter. Every time a 9/11 responder dies, she should get a manslaughter conviction. Rudy Giuliani is not a hero for standing on a pile with a bullhorn. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, Mr. Giuliani, but you couldn’t help the people of New York; how are you going to help the people of the country when you run for president? And that’s just my opinion, but that’s -- in the 9/11 community, most people feel that way.
REGINA CERVANTES: He’s ignored us ever since, I mean.
AMY GOODMAN: Regina Cervantes, the trained emergency medical technician who is in Washington, D.C, with John Feal. Reggie?
REGINA CERVANTES: After 9/11, he stood and he made his speeches with his bullhorn, and ever since, he’s ignored every single one of us. I attempted to speak with him while he was campaigning and attending the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, and his security force kept us apart. He went and he did his photo opportunities with the small children who survived the bombing, but he ignored the 9/11 community that was there participating in an exchange. He ignored me. His staff would not allow us access to him. And, you know, this is a sign of how he’s going to be if he gets into office.
AMY GOODMAN: Reggie, I wanted to play that trailer of Michael Moore's film SiCKO in which you’re featured. This is the trailer for Michael’s film about healthcare in this country, and in it, you see Michael trying to get to Guantanamo with Reggie and two other 9/11 responders.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/06/21/1444218
http://pyramid.blog-city.com/linkblog/tags/?t=epa
John D keep sticking up for your latest loser hero Rudy G. You sure know how to pick em!!!
"If you look up the word "liar" in fairly recent dictionary there should be a picture of both Hillary and Bill."
Posted by: Lt. Bookman | September 14, 2007 3:46 PM
Better throw Rudy into that mix too Lt. Bookman.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | September 14, 2007 4:52 PM
Insulting the General isn't the same as asking tough questions.
The odious hag should have been more questioning when Bill was molesting even ugly women.
Posted by: whatnow | September 14, 2007 5:52 PM
I admire a candidate who speaks his/her position, and doesn't feel its necessary to reference specific candidates who may not agree. Fred Thompson got it right...
Posted by: matt myers | September 14, 2007 5:52 PM
"That it's funding, and the status of this 527, and the voice it has in the Democratic Party is so powerful that it's now calling the shots."
Who the heck wrote this?
It doesn't make any sense. It sounds like a Swampite at 2:30 a.m.
I'm voting for the candidate that can communicate the best. In a time of terror, we don't need a president that employs an illiterate staff.
Posted by: Craig | September 14, 2007 6:20 PM
Hey Rudy! Keep looking past the race you have to win. Idiot.
Posted by: C.Morris | September 14, 2007 6:53 PM
Ay, zee Log Cabin Reeooblicans. (All posting heere.) Start geetting yoosed doo 'Prezeedent Cleentoon'.
Keep repeating eet.
Posted by: The Old French Trapper | September 14, 2007 6:56 PM
Rudy who? Oh wait, you mean the one who abandoned the REAL heros of 911. That Rudy.
President Hillary Clinton.
The Old French Trappers got it right. Start geetting yoosed doo eet!
Posted by: Former Brainwashed Republican | September 14, 2007 7:39 PM
Pvt. Bookman,
Wouldn't the most up to date dictionary definition of liar have a group photo of the ENTIRE bush administration (past and present) next to it? Wait, I think I see Larry "I'm NOT gay" Craig kneeling down in front. Aw heck, it's a picture of the ENTIRE republican party standing in front of a ripped up American flag with a "Mission Accomplished" banner right above it. Get with the times!!!!
Posted by: Crispy | September 14, 2007 8:38 PM
Rudy sure isn't looking presidential these days. That ad of his is ridiculous and demeans the higher office to which he aspires.
Posted by: Steven M. | September 14, 2007 10:31 PM
For those of you who think that Rudy is responsible for the respiratory problems of those affected by 9/11 and want to condemn the EPA (Mr. Juan Gonzalez), "explain what the EPA did on 9/11", why don't you ask what the TERRORISTS did on 9/11 to CAUSE these problems?! Have you even thought about that? The TERRORISTS are responsible for all the bad things that happened that day! Get your head out!
Posted by: K Gollihugh | September 14, 2007 11:03 PM
Rudy is not fit to lead.
http://www.rudy-urbanlegend.com/
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1823139/posts
http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1623
Posted by: Force of Darkness | September 15, 2007 12:19 AM
Redstate.com has a copy of an ad moveon.org would have run during World War II. It's hilariously on-target:
http://www.redstate.com/stories/war/what_if_moveon_org_existed_65_years_ago
Posted by: Bruce | September 15, 2007 1:10 AM
Lt. Bookman,
If your dictionary is updated you'll see photos Of Dubya "Mission Accomplished" next to a photo of Darth "The insurgency is in it's last throes" Cheney.
Posted by: Doug Zook | September 15, 2007 8:21 AM
Describing Hildy's remarks as "venom" was right on the mark. After all, where does venom come from? That's right. A SNAKE! And definitely a rattler.
Posted by: Taylor | September 15, 2007 10:37 AM
Excellent link, Bruce. And how true it is too, which is sad.
Posted by: John D | September 15, 2007 10:56 AM
For someone with such a corrupt background to infer that a General lied is heinous and needs to be challenged. The number of criminal or suspicious donors is at six right now and the real campaign hasn't really started.
Posted by: thanos | September 15, 2007 11:05 AM
As a life-long Democrat I too support Rudolph winning the Republican nomination for president.
Keep hope alive!
Posted by: Doug Zook | September 15, 2007 1:01 PM
How are we suppose to support and trust our commander in chief when she won't even trust her generals when they present the facts. are we suppose to place the running of a war in harry reeds, nancy pelosi and ted kennedy's hands. scarey thought.
Posted by: gail thornhill | September 15, 2007 2:19 PM
Keep up the propaganda Bruce and company. Mrs Clinton never called the General a traitor.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | September 15, 2007 2:59 PM
Doug - Glad to see you back. About ready to your picture on a milk carton.
Want your opinion. What do you think of an organization that accuses an active military officer of BETRAYAL?
Posted by: Terry | September 15, 2007 7:26 PM
"Keep up the propaganda Bruce and company. Mrs Clinton never called the General a traitor.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | September 15, 2007 2:59 PM"
'Bruce' is a dissembler.
Posted by: C.Morris | September 15, 2007 9:02 PM
Want your opinion. What do you think of an organization that accuses an active military officer of BETRAYAL?
Posted by: Terry | September 15, 2007 7:26 PM
Scary Terry,
Petraeus made himself a political in 2004 when he did an op-ed in the Washington Post in support of W.'s re-election, he's a lapdog of the worst kind.....a Repug lapdog.
Now, go back to your McMansion in the suburbs that you got off the backs of the poor people and tell your wife to get a job because the GOP has overdrawn on the USA credit cards.....you might want to sell that yacht too, Trickle Down boy.
Posted by: John E | September 15, 2007 11:21 PM
Trickled On - I wanted a veteran's opinion, not a 4th graders.
Posted by: Terry | September 16, 2007 11:47 AM
Hey Logic Prisoner, Mrs. Clinton DID concur that she thinks the General is a traitor by refusing to condemn the MoveOn.org ad. George Soros is going to BUY the presidential election if we don't all stand up against him and MoveOn.org! God help us!
Posted by: K. G. | September 22, 2007 12:04 PM
Force of Darkness, you think you have posted some good valid websites to discredit Rudy Guiliani? What you posted were far left liberal smear sites that quote the likes of The New York TImes, MSNBC, The Washington Post, ABC, and NBC - all of which have a left bias. Whoopee, so you quote your liberal leftist cronies. Big deal.
Posted by: K.G. | September 22, 2007 12:14 PM