Moveon.org Should Pull Latest Ad...And Move On

a supporters opinion of the organization's latest ad...

Published on April 1, 2004 By Sean Conners aka SConn1 In Politics

This week, Moveon.org, a "527" organization in the political arena, launched it's new ads. They feature the testimony of former counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke in front of the 9/11 commission. I have been a supporter of the organization's right to organize and express their opinions on issues. I believe they have done great things to get people more involved in what is going on in their goverment. And I believe they are poised to be a good political force in the future.

This ad, however, should be pulled.

Clarke yesterday on Chris Matthew's show, "Hardball", expressed that he never authorized his voice being used for the political organization's ad. Clarke, who has done everything possible to show that his words are not the product of resentment or political gain, seemed quite annoyed that the group had stolen his voice to convey their message. And I agree.

No, Moveon.org is probably not breaking the law. Without really researching it, it is easy to specualate that their work is probably protected under fair use statutes or something similar. That does not excuse move on from their ethical responsibilities. The fact is that they should not be using someone's words against their will to support their cause in this way. Where Clarke is essentially on the same side as the organization, Clarke obviously wants no part of the political circus that moveon is representing. Move on should respect his wishes and send their message with more willing participants.

But that is only part of the problem with this ad. The other problem is innaccuracy. I resent seeing it in political ads, from any side of the spectrum. The last couple words of this ad has Clarke's voice over saying "stop them." The words shown are "stop 9/11." Technically innacurate.

Although everyone knows that Clarke meant "stop 9/11" he did not say that. Nor did Moveon.org bother to put 9/11 in parenthesis as is appropriate when throwing in words for clarity's sake and proper quoting. Move on just drops the volume slightly on the last word, so it almost sounds like Clarke mutters 9/11. But a careful review of the tape shows the innacuracy.

For one or the other reasons, the ad should be pulled. In fact, either of the reasons are good enough to pull the ad. And keep in mind, i'm not someone who just hates the organization. In fact, I support them. I have participated in their petitions and made phone calls on issues that are important to me when they have raised them. My motivation to point out this bad advertisement is not to damage their credibility, but to preserve it for the future.

If moveon.org wishes to see it's momentum grow and be a long term political body, they will need to do better than just staying within technical legal boundries despite the wishes of the speaker used in the ad and be more professional in their approach to the accuracy of the actual advertisements, even on the most technical and taken for granted levels.

Everyone makes mistakes, but good people and good organizations learn from them.

For more on Richard Clarke's Credibility...go here...
Link

Comments

Unfairman

on Apr 01, 2004

I thought your article was very well written. You make good points.

The cynic in me can't help pointing out:
"If moveon.org wishes to see it's momentum grow and be a long term political body, they will need to do better than just staying within technical legal boundries despite the wishes of the speaker used in the ad and be more professional in their approach to the accuracy of the actual advertisements, even on the most technical and taken for granted levels."

Maybe if MoveOn.org DOES want to be a long term political body (GOP, DNC) they SHOULDN'T do better than that. It's worked for the previously mentioned organizations.

I'm also a MoveOn supporter, have been a member for over a year now. Of course, I don't agree with everything the organization does, it sometimes seems like they're actively looking for causes, I support them wholeheartedly, and would proudly tout my membership to anyone who asks.

And you're right. We should hold ourselves to higher standards, because no one else will hold us to them.

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on Apr 01, 2004

thanks for your observations man,,,much appreciated...i did look at it from the cynical point of view, but like you , i agree with the last line you wrote about holding ourselves to a higher standard

stevendedalus

on Apr 01, 2004

Right on, Sean, keep moving on with insightful articles.

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on Apr 01, 2004

thank you very much steven:) the members of this board don't know it, but i am actually quite even handed in my views....i am a progressive, but i think i do good in showing my bias rather than disguise it and try to point out things that i see from all over the spectrum rather than just attack the other side. where i may be a progressive, that doesn't mean that 100% of my views are liberal. many are, but many are conservative and traditional as well...i think many on here got a distorted view of me based on my refusal to be silenced or be intimidated into obedience. i did overreact to things, but who amongst us can claim never doing that? unfortunately, i ended up looking like someone i am not because of the narrow and limited view people got of me in that snapshot. ...but i should have been more patient and shouldn't have gotten suckered into a set up....

take care steven,,,i very much appreciate the comments:)

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on Apr 10, 2004

i was happy to see Moveon.org respond to my concerns and change the ad,,,i like the new one much better:)

in the new ad, they have someone imitating Bush, but it isn't underhanded, it says that in bold large print the entire time he speaks.

they also use the quote, but not clarke's voice, which is much more acceptable if he doesn't want to be a voice on the ad. the words are testimony and i will concede that they are fair game, especially when being read by another.

good job moveon.org:)

Deference

on Apr 11, 2004

More criticism and inspection should be focused on the current administration, not those poking holes in their questionable dealings.

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on Apr 12, 2004

i agree deference, but not all our time,,,thanks for your thoughts:)

Deference

on Apr 12, 2004

Thank you for your (quite accurate) deliberations.

on Apr 13, 2004

I agree, if it was real. I didn't do the research.

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on Apr 14, 2004

thank you deference:)

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on Apr 14, 2004

xx,,,i did do the research, and stand behind the facts presented...thank you for your comments:)

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