MoveOn Ad: McCain’s Escalation

Brian Zick

McCain spokesman Danny Diaz managed to squeeze in 5 separate lies in a brief 51-word statement responding to the ad. "MoveOn.Org is an out-of-the-mainstream organization that has a long history of airing inflammatory material, even comparing the President to Hitler. It is not surprising that a liberal group opposed to military action after September 11th would attack Senator McCain's conservative values, as well as changing strategy and securing victory in Iraq." • "out-of-the-mainstream organization" - this is what psychiatrists call projection; it is plainly self-evident that McCain is the one "out-of-the-mainstream" with 70% of the public opposed to his views • "long history of airing inflammatory material" - only if the definition of "inflammatory material" means something supported by 70% of the public • "comparing the President to Hitler" - an ad which made the comparison, submitted to an open-to-the-public competition, was yanked from the competition by MoveOn contest organizers, in an express repudiation of the comparison alleged • "opposed to military action after September 11th" - just plain false • "attack Senator McCain's conservative values" - nowhere in the ad is there any criticism of "values"

Please consider supporting our work.

I hope you found this article important. Before you leave, I want to ask you to consider supporting our work with a donation. In These Times needs readers like you to help sustain our mission. We don’t depend on—or want—corporate advertising or deep-pocketed billionaires to fund our journalism. We’re supported by you, the reader, so we can focus on covering the issues that matter most to the progressive movement without fear or compromise.

Our work isn’t hidden behind a paywall because of people like you who support our journalism. We want to keep it that way. If you value the work we do and the movements we cover, please consider donating to In These Times.

Illustrated cover of Gaza issue. Illustration shows an illustrated representation of Gaza, sohwing crowded buildings surrounded by a wall on three sides. Above the buildings is the sun, with light shining down. Above the sun is a white bird. Text below the city says: All Eyes on Gaza
Get 10 issues for $19.95

Subscribe to the print magazine.