Washington – A political group supporting President Bush’s Iraq- war strategy with a multimillion-dollar ad campaign is airing a new TV ad denouncing a liberal group’s sharp criticism of Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq.
The campaign is the second rollout of ads by the group, Freedom’s Watch, and capitalizes on Democratic Party unease over a newspaper ad by , one of the leading anti-war voices.
The MoveOn ad appeared Monday in The New York Times on the morning of Petraeus’ first appearance before Congress to testify about conditions in Iraq. The ad accused Petraeus of “cooking the books” for the White House. “General Petraeus or General Betray Us?” it said, playing off his name.
The became a rallying point for Republicans, who demanded that Democrats disavow it. Some Democrats have voiced concern. On Monday, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., called the ad “over the top.”
The Freedom’s Watch ad states: “Name calling, charges of betrayal – it’s despicable. It’s what MoveOn shamefully does, and it’s wrong. America and the forces of freedom are winning. MoveOn is losing. Call your congressman and senator. Tell them to condemn MoveOn.”
“It’s not surprising that a White House front group like Freedom’s Watch would come after us,” said Eli Pariser, executive director of Political Action. Pariser defended the MoveOn ad, saying: “When you have the Bush administration spinning the facts about what is happening in Iraq, that’s a betrayal of trust.”
Bradley Blakeman, president of Freedom’s Watch, said MoveOn was employing “outrageous tactics.”
“To question the character and patriotism of brave men and women who combat terrorism every day is too much. It’s in poor taste, and it will not go unchallenged,” he said.
Freedom’s Watch also plans to respond to MoveOn with a print ad in The New York Times and has demanded the same $65,000 rate the liberal group paid for its full-page ad. Freedom’s Watch spokesman Matt David said his organization paid “significantly more” for another full-page ad Tuesday on the 9/11 anniversary.
That ad, however, was a more expensive full-page color ad, compared with MoveOn’s, which was black and white.
Freedom’s Watch launched a $15 million advertising blitz last month to pressure lawmakers, including Republicans, whose backing of the war was seen as wavering.
The group is financed by former White House aides and Republican fundraisers and was organized as a nonprofit organization under IRS rules. It is not required to identify its donors or the amounts they give.
