Editing MoveOn (section)

== Criticism ==
MoveOn was criticized by the [[Anti-Defamation League]], among others, when a member-submitted advertisement which drew parallels between President [[George W. Bush]] and [[Adolf Hitler]] was submitted to their online ad contest "Bush in 30 Seconds". The ad was part of an online MoveOn-sponsored contest during the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 presidential election]] in which members were invited to create and submit political ads challenging President Bush and his [[George W. Bush administration|administration]].<ref name="mm20040827">{{cite web |url=http://www.adl.org/PresRele/HolNa_52/4435_52.htm |title=Hitler Ad Should Never Have Appeared On MoveOn.org |access-date=April 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610060420/http://www.adl.org/PresRele/HolNa_52/4435_52.htm |archive-date=June 10, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/publicinterest/ |title=PR Newswire: Public Interest Services |access-date=September 25, 2007 }}</ref> The ad was quickly pulled off the website.<ref name="mm20040827"/>

[[Fox News]] criticized the organization after it successfully encouraged the [[United States Democratic presidential candidates, 2008|2008 Democratic presidential candidates]] not to attend two debates sponsored by the network. Fox News advisor David Rhodes and the network's commentators [[Sean Hannity]] and [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] have also made accusations that MoveOn.org "owns" the [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic Party]] and [[George Soros]] "owns" MoveOn.org.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hennessey |first=Kathleen |date=March 9, 2007 |title=Nevada Democrats cancel candidate debate co-hosted by Fox News |periodical=Las Vegas Sun |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2007/mar/09/030910456.html |access-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930033446/http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2007/mar/09/030910456.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=March 10, 2007 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/10/debate.canceled/index.html |title=Dems cancel debate over Fox chief's Obama joke |access-date=September 25, 2007 }}</ref>

Google and MoveOn have been accused of selective adherence to trademark law for removing ads from [[Google AdWords]] for Senator [[Susan Collins]], citing infringement of MoveOn trademarks.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301267,00.html |title=Sen. Susan Collins' Web Ads Run Up Against Google, MoveOn.org |publisher=[[Fox News]] |date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020102731/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301267,00.html |archive-date=October 20, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chavez |first=Pablo |url=http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2007/10/our-advertising-policies-and-political.html |title=Our advertising policies and political speech |publisher=Google Public Policy Blog |date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' stated on October 15, 2007, that the "left-leaning political advocacy group, MoveOn.org, is backing down" and will allow Google to show the ads. MoveOn.org communications director Jennifer Lindenauer said: "We don't want to support a policy that denies people freedom of expression."<ref name=Reverses>{{cite web |last=Stirland |first=Sarah Lai |date=October 15, 2007 |publisher=wired.com |title=Reverses: Allows Critical Ads on Google |url=https://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/10/moveon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724044820/http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/10/moveon |archive-date=July 24, 2008 }}</ref>

On June 17, 2008, MoveOn emailed its members stating that it had produced "the most effective TV ad we've ever created."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingheartland.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1561 |title=Baby's mom tells McCain in new ad: "You can't have him" |publisher=Bleedingheartland.com |access-date=February 25, 2010}}</ref> The ad depicts a mother telling Republican senator and presumptive nominee [[John McCain]] that she will not let him use her infant son, Alex, as a soldier in the [[war in Iraq]]. Subsequent to the ad's release, [[Jon Stewart]], host of ''[[The Daily Show]]'', "praised" MoveOn for "10 years of making even people who agree with you cringe."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/arts/television/17kaku.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|title=Television: Is Jon Stewart the Most Trusted Man in America? | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Michiko | last=Kakutani | date=August 17, 2008 | access-date=May 13, 2010}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' op-ed contributor [[Bill Kristol]] criticized the ad in an essay, including pointing out that the "United States has an all-volunteer Army. Alex won't be drafted, and his mommy can't enlist him. He can decide when he's an adult whether he wants to serve."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/opinion/23kristol.html|title=Op-Ed Columnist: Someone Else's Alex | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=William | last=Kristol | date=June 23, 2008 | access-date=May 13, 2010}}</ref>

In 2020, several MoveOn staffers contributed to an article titled "Disinformation creep: ADOS and the strategic weaponization of breaking news" which incorrectly alleged that the subjects criticized in the article acted in ways that were "anti-Black", dismissive of the impact of COVID-19 on Black Americans, were tied to Russian disinformation efforts, and that they discouraged Black Americans from voting for Democratic candidates.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nkonde |first1=Mutale|author-link=Mutale Nkonde |last2=Rodriguez |first2=Maria Y. |last3=Cortana |first3=Leonard |last4=Mukogosi |first4=Joan K. |last5=King |first5=Shakira |last6=Serrato |first6=Ray |last7=Martinez |first7=Natalie |last8=Drummer |first8=Mary |last9=Lewis |first9=Ann |last10=Malik |first10=Momin M. |date=2021-01-18 |title=Retracted: Disinformation creep: ADOS and the strategic weaponization of breaking news |url=https://misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/disinformation-creep-ados-and-the-strategic-weaponization-of-breaking-news/ |journal=Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review |language=en-US |doi=10.37016/mr-2020-52|doi-access=free }}{{Retracted|doi=10.37016/mr-2020-86|https://retractionwatch.com/2021/12/22/harvard-journal-retracts-paper-on-black-advocacy-in-elections/ ''Retraction Watch''|intentional=yes}}</ref> The article was originally published in Harvard University's ''The Misinformation Review'', but was retracted nearly a year later, after internal and external reviews found the article to have extensive misrepresentation of data and failure "to meet professional standards of validity and reliability".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Staff |first=HKS Misinformation Review Editorial |date=2021-12-20 |title=Retraction note to: Disinformation creep: ADOS and the strategic weaponization of breaking news |url=https://misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/retraction-note-to-disinformation-creep-ados-and-the-strategic-weaponization-of-breaking-news/ |journal=Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review |language=en-US |doi=10.37016/mr-2020-86|doi-access=free }}</ref> 

=== David Petraeus advertising controversy ===
{{main|MoveOn.org ad controversy}}
In 2007, MoveOn received bipartisan criticism [[MoveOn.org ad controversy|for running a print ad]] in ''[[The New York Times]]'' that questioned the personal integrity of General [[David Petraeus]], with headlines such as "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?" and "Cooking the Books for the White House".<ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=September 10, 2007|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/10/petraeus.moveon/index.html |title=GOP calls on top Senate Dem to condemn anti-Petraeus ad |access-date=September 25, 2007 }}</ref> On September 20, 2007, the Senate passed an amendment by Republican [[John Cornyn]] of [[Texas]] designed to "strongly condemn personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus". All 49 Republican senators, as well as 22 Democratic senators, voted in support.<ref>{{cite web | title =U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 1st Session | publisher =United States Senate | url =https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00344 | access-date = August 3, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160428033007/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00344 | archive-date = April 28, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The House passed a similar resolution by a 341–79 vote on September 26, 2007.<ref>{{cite news | last =Taylor | first =Andrew | title =House Condemns MoveOn.org's Petraeus Ad, 341-79 | agency=[[Associated Press]] | publisher =Common Dreams | date =September 26, 2007 | url =http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/26/4125 | access-date =August 3, 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130702121745/http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/26/4125 | archive-date =July 2, 2013 | url-status =dead }}</ref>

On September 20, 2007, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' stated: "Democrats blamed the group Moveon.org for giving moderate Republicans a ready excuse for staying with Bush and for giving Bush and his supporters a way to divert attention away from the war."<ref name=furor/><ref>{{cite news|agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=September 20, 2007|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-09-20-senate-condemn_N.htm|title=Senate Condemns "General Betray Us" Ad}}</ref><ref name="housecondemns">{{cite news | last =Marre | first =Klaus | title =House overwhelmingly condemns MoveOn ad | work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] | date =September 26, 2007 | url =http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-overwhelmingly-condemns-moveon-ad-2007-09-26.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071013141502/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-overwhelmingly-condemns-moveon-ad-2007-09-26.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =October 13, 2007 | access-date = September 26, 2007 }}</ref>

''The New York Times'' public editor [[Clark Hoyt]] later stated in an [[op-ed]] that MoveOn was mistakenly charged US$77,000 less for the ad than it should have been under ''Times'' policies,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hoyt|first=Mark|date=September 23, 2007|title=Betraying Its Own Best Interests|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/opinion/23pubed.html}}</ref> and MoveOn announced that it would pay ''The New York Times'' the difference in price.<ref>{{cite news |first=Alison |last=Vekshin |publisher=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] |date=September 23, 2007 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awa2v3hs.xJE&refer=home |title=MoveOn.org Says It Will Pay Times More for Controversial Ad |access-date=September 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002082942/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087 |archive-date=October 2, 2007 }}</ref>

MoveOn.org ran more ads using a "betrayal" theme, with TV spots targeting former President Bush and former Republican presidential candidate [[Rudy Giuliani]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14623512|title=Anger over 'Betray Us' Ad Simmers on Hill|author=Don Gonyea|date=September 22, 2007|publisher=[[NPR]]|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>[https://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/259511 "Putting the moves on MoveOn.org"] in ''[[The Toronto Star]]''</ref> Giuliani ran his own full-page ad<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nysun.com/pics/62696_main_large.jpg|title=his own full-page ad}}</ref> in ''The New York Times'' on September 14, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/13/AR2007091302379.html |title=Giuliani Plans Full-Page Ad Defending Petraeus - washingtonpost.com |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date= September 14, 2007|access-date=February 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/us/politics/14paper.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin|title=Angered by an Antiwar Ad, Giuliani Seeks Equal Space|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | first=Katharine Q. | last=Seelye | date=September 14, 2007 | access-date=May 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/17/politics/main3268035.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3268035 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110034141/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/17/politics/main3268035.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3268035 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 10, 2008 |title=Rudy Blasts Hillary Again Over MoveOn Ad, Giuliani Continues To Call For Clinton To Denounce Petraeus Ad, Apologize|publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=September 17, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2010}}</ref> Giuliani asked for and received a similar reduced fee as MoveOn.org, paying US$65,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/09/14/giuliani_slams_times_over_anti_petraeus_ad/ |title=Giuliani slams New York Times over anti-Petraeus ad - The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |date=September 14, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2010 | first1=Katharine Q. | last1=Seelye}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/09/15/2007-09-15_general_petraeus_ad_nets_giuliani_big_bu.html |title=General Petraeus ad nets Giuliani big bucks from donors |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |date=September 15, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2010}}</ref>