Super Committee

Liberals Slam Super Committee Dems For Caving On Taxes -- But Did They?

Brian Beutler | November 15, 2011, 5:46AM

Super Committee Members John Kerry and Patty Murray

Liberals and progressive groups are livid at a Sunday New York Times report, which reads as if Super Committee Democrats are about to capitulate to the GOP: spending cuts now in exchange for the promise of higher revenues later. But Democratic aides privy to the negotiations say the angry reaction misreads the Dems' position. And indeed the most recent Democratic offer to Super Committee Republicans would have squared this issue by automatically nullifying entitlement cuts if future tax legislation didn't raise revenues.

The Times story is based on a comment Republican co-chair Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) made on CNN's Sunday show State of the Union.

Under this approach, the panel would decide on the amount of new revenue to be raised but would leave it to the tax-writing committees of Congress to fill in details next year, well beyond the Nov. 23 deadline for the panel itself to reach an agreement. That would put off painful political decisions but ensure that the debate over deficit reduction stretched into the election year.

"There could be a two-step process that would hopefully give us pro-growth tax reform," Representative Jeb Hensarling of Texas, the top Republican on the panel.

Progressives took this to imply surrender.

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Super Committee

Unemployed Activists Lobby Super Committee Members On Budget Cuts

Ryan J. Reilly | October 6, 2011, 11:36AM

Ginger Heatter had a full scholarship to Cornell and was working on her master's degree when the economy tanked.

It was quite an accomplishment for the New Jersey resident. She had dropped out of high school, married young and had a daughter at 21. Before the economic crisis, she thought she had her life on track: she got her GED, a bachelor's degree from Boston College. Now she's been unemployed for a year and not sure of what the future holds for her and her 15-year-old daughter.

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Eric Cantor

MoveOn: Eric Cantor Is Holding Disaster Victims 'Hostage' For Spending Cuts (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 2, 2011, 9:41AM

As Democrats prepare to use House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's words about disaster relief funding against the whole GOP, the progressives at MoveOn.org are helping to get the ball rolling with a new national television ad calling Cantor's call for spending cuts to pay for disaster aid "appalling."

"Republicans like Eric Cantor are threatening to hold victims of Hurricane Irene hostage by demanding budget cuts in exchange for aid," the ad's narrator says. "Abandoning families who have lost everything just to serve the GOP's extreme agenda? It's heartless, appalling and it's not how we do things in America."

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Debt ceiling

Progressives Recoil At Reported Debt Ceiling Deal

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 31, 2011, 3:45PM

President Barack Obama meets with Republican and Democratic leaders

Progressive groups are speaking out against the debt ceiling deal currently being hashed out in Washington. The response from two of the nation's largest organizations goes essentially like this: really?!?

Progressives are more than a little upset that the deal does not include new revenues upfront, a line in the sand President Obama drew early on in the process and apparently had to abandon as the cogs of the legislative machinery turned hours before the nation went into default. They're casting the deal outlined on the Sunday talk shows this morning as a huge win for Republicans -- and (yet another) agonizing defeat for the left.

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Deficit

Progressive Groups: Polls Show Deficit Panic Is Republican Illusion

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 25, 2011, 8:41AM

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

A day after House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) confirmed that cuts to Medicare are a part of deficit reduction negotiations, progressives are out with new polling they say shows Democrats falling into a Republican trap.

The fresh numbers from Ohio, Missouri, Montana and Minnesota jibe with what national polls have shown in the past: Americans are far more concerned about job creation than they are about deficit reduction. Progressives say that shows Democrats should be leaving the deficit panic to the GOP and getting back to an agenda that protects entitlements and stimulates job growth.

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Medicare/Medicaid

Poll: Voters Ready To Penalize Democrats Who Mess With Medicare

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 24, 2011, 8:40AM

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Voters in key Senate swing states don't want cuts to Medicare and Medicaid benefits -- and they're prepared to exact revenge on politicians who vote in favor of them.

That's according to new Public Policy Polling (D) numbers from Ohio, Missouri, Montana and Minnesota, where Democratic Senators face what could be tough reelection fights. The polling, published first by TPM, was sponsored by a coalition of progressive groups.

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Social Security

New Polling Says Overwhelming Majority Wants Social Security Left Alone

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 23, 2011, 8:44AM

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Ask the voters and they'll tell you: Social Security cuts are off the table when it comes to cleaning up the budget mess in Washington.

Fresh polling from Ohio, Missouri, Montana and Minnesota published first by TPM show voters in the states overwhelmingly oppose any cuts to the Social Security entitlement program, even in the name of reducing the national debt. The coalition of progressive groups which sponsored the survey say the polls send a clear message to the Democratic Senate incumbents up for reelection in each state: cut Social Security and you'll incur the wrath of an angry electorate.

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AFL-CIO

Republicans Just Voted To End Medicare -- So Where's The Outrage?

Brian Beutler | April 22, 2011, 12:39PM

Members of Congress are back in their districts, attending town hall events, explaining to their constituents why, exactly, they want to make such major changes to the health care system.

If that sounds familiar, you might be wondering if we're in for August 2009 redux. That was when conservatives and tea party activists caused mayhem at Democratic town hall events and sowed doubt in the minds of members and the media about whether the push for health care reform was really viable. Now, Republicans have their sites set on Medicare and Medicaid, and just voted, almost to a person, to basically zap both programs.

So are we in for a repeat?

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MoveOn

MoveOn Calls on Activists to Take Wisconsin Message to Congress

Susan Crabtree | February 22, 2011, 6:32PM

United States Capitol

MoveOn.org would like to tap into the fervor on display in Wisconsin to push back against House Republican spending cuts and replicate at least a taste of the Madison unrest on the national level.

In an e-mail to members, MoveOn leaders encouraged activists to show up at the offices of their member of Congress on Thursday at noon to rally against GOP spending cuts and any burgeoning national attempts to put the squeeze on unions and worker's collective bargaining rights.

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Abortion

MoveOn Accuses GOP Of Taking Women 'Back To The Back Alley' (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | February 15, 2011, 11:58AM

MoveOn.org is launching a new a television ad campaign today that fires off a hard-hitting take on the current abortion fight in Congress. As bills to limit federal funding for abortion -- bills that pro-choice advocates say will limit access for women who want to pay for abortion coverage through private insurers -- work their way through the Republican-controlled House, the progressive group is turning to Hollywood to help paint the legislation as a return to the ugly old days of back alley abortions.

The new MoveOn spot, which will begin running on cable nationwide and specifically on Oxygen network for a week, stars actress Lisa Edelstein, best known for her role on the Fox primetime hit House.

The ad pulls no punches, offering a shot of a coat hanger hanging in a closet at the end.

"Why is the G.O.P. trying to send women back," Edelstein asks, "to the back alley?"

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Barack Obama

MoveOn Ad To Obama: Let The Bush Tax Cuts Expire (VIDEO)

David Taintor | December 2, 2010, 1:11PM

An ad from MoveOn, "Obama Back"

Just as Congress prepares to vote on the Bush-era tax cuts, MoveOn.org has a new ad out today, calling for President Barack Obama to return to his bold days as a candidate.

The ad features a montage of people asking Obama to "be the president we fought to elect," and let the tax cuts expire.

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Tim Profitt

Kentucky Stomper's Attorney: Tape Shows 'My Client Is Justified' (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 19, 2010, 11:41AM

Tim Profitt, the former Rand Paul county coordinator who stomped on a MoveOn activist's head outside the final debate of the Kentucky Senate race in October, finally got his day in court yesterday. And though Profitt didn't say much, his lawyer told reporters that the notorious video of Profitt's foot crushing down on MoveOn activist Lauren Valle actually shows Profitt had been subject to a smear campaign.

Profitt appeared in a Lexington, KY court and pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from the incident, which briefly defined the Kentucky Senate race before Paul, the Republican nominee, won in a landslide Nov. 2.

The court was packed with folks trying to catch a glimpse of the Kentucky Stomper, according to reports from the ground. And though Profitt's been willing to discuss the incident before (like that time when he blamed a bad back for stepping on a woman that was being held down on the ground,) in court and afterward he kept his mouth shut.

His lawyer, however, laid out a defense to the charges that partly hinged on the video that got Profitt in trouble in the first place.

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2010 elections

I Am Not A Witch...I'm Aqua Buddha?: The Most Iconic Moments From The 2010 Campaign

Jillian Rayfield | November 2, 2010, 11:56AM

Scenes from the 2010 midterms.

From the moment "Tom Campbell"'s eyes glowed red in Carly Fiorina's "Demon Sheep" ad, we knew this campaign season was going to be chock-full of bizarre and memorable memes. And we were right -- sheep, witches, and chickens were just a few of the iconic moments from the 2010 midterm elections.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Stranger Than Fiction? TPM Casts The 2010 Midterms Movie]

So here are TPM's favorites...

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Tim Profitt

Kentucky Stomper Charged With Fourth-Degree Assault

Ryan J. Reilly | October 30, 2010, 6:04PM

Former Ran Paul volunteer Tim Profitt

The Rand Paul supporter who was caught on camera stepping on the head of a MoveOn activist has been charged with fourth-degree assault, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports.

Timothy Mark Profitt, 53, is charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault after he stomped on Lauren Valle's head and neck. Profitt "intentionally placed his foot on the shoulder/head region on the victim," a criminal summons says. The newspaper reported that court records say Profitt will be arraigned Nov. 18. Such a charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail, a $500 fine, or a combination of both, the newspaper reported.

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KY-SEN

Democrats Doing Their Best To Politicize The Kentucky Stomp (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 28, 2010, 12:02PM

In a new web video just out from the Kentucky Democratic Party, the stomping of a MoveOn.org activist by a county coordinator for Republican Rand Paul's Senate campaign is turned into a metaphor (in no particular order) for ending federal breast cancer research, the elimination of mine safety laws, an end to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and a $2,000 boost in the Medicare deductible, among other things.

"Rand Paul: Stomping on you," the video reads. "Stomping on Kentucky."

It seems Democrats have decided to politicize the allegedly criminal assault of activist Lauren Valle.

Paul has, of course, made it fairly easy for Democrats to turn the jarring video of Valle's head getting stomped by Tim Profitt outside a Lexington debate Monday into their closing argument in the Senate race. Paul was slow to condemn the attack -- though he "dissociated" himself from Profitt soon after the event -- and has decided to keep the nearly $2,000 Profitt donated to his campaign.

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KY-SEN

Rand Paul: On Second Thought, No I Won't Give That Stomper's Money Back

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 27, 2010, 7:00PM

Rand Paul

Kentucky Republican Senate nominee Rand Paul has decided not to return the nearly $2,000 in campaign money he collected from Tim Profitt, the man who Paul recently forced out as Bourbon County coordinator of his Kentucky Senate campaign after he stepped on a MoveOn.org activist outside a debate Monday night.

Profitt has given Paul's Republican campaign $1,950, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports, money Paul's campaign told the paper it'll hang on to even as Profitt (and maybe other Paul volunteers) come under criminal investigation for their part in the Kentucky stomp.

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Tim Profitt

Kentucky Police Consider Charging More Paul Supporters In Stomping Case

Brian Beutler | October 27, 2010, 6:14PM

MoveOn volunteer Lauren Valle struggles with Rand Paul supporters in Kentucky.

You thought the Kentucky Stomping Story had been swallowed by the news cycle? Think again.

The identification of the Kentucky Stomper -- former Rand Paul volunteer Tim Profitt -- allowed Lexington police to issue a criminal summons in the case. He'll soon appear in district court and possibly face charges. But Lexington police say the investigation is still ongoing, and they may pursue the other Paul-supporters who participated in the assault.

"At this point, the investigation is still ongoing," public information officer Sherelle Roberts told ABC News. "We're looking into other individuals who may have been involved in the assault and could get charged."

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KY-SEN

Conservatives Tout New Video Of Kentucky Stomping (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 27, 2010, 4:19PM

Conservatives are pushing new video of Monday's stomping incident in Kentucky, which they say proves MoveOn.org's Lauren Valle was trying to "assault" Republican Senate nominee Rand Paul before Paul volunteers wrestled her to the ground and Paul's Bourbon County coordinator Tim Profitt stepped on her head.

"As the video clearly demonstrates, Valle was there to do more than simply 'hold a sign,'" a RedState blogger who posted the new video today wrote. "Paul supporters were not reacting to a mere dislike of her message."

The blogger writes that "none of that is any excuse, nor even mitigating circumstances, when it comes to Profitt stomping on Valle's head," but says the tape shows that any notion that Valle was "the victim of an angry mob who simply 'didn't like her message'" is "demonstrably false."

What do we learn from the new video? Not a lot. It depicts the chaotic clash of supporters outside the Senate debate in Lexington that preceded the stomping, just as all witness accounts and Valle's own recounting have said. Conservatives touting the video say it shows Valle "attempting to assault" Paul but it also appears she was getting pushed from behind.

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Tim Profitt

Kentucky Stomping Victim: 'Important That Stomper Be Held Accountable' (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 27, 2010, 9:53AM

The MoveOn activist who was tackled and stomped on by Rand Paul supporters Monday night says she'll do whatever she can to see that her chief assailant, Tim Profitt, is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

"I plan to see the process through," Lauren Valle told Keith Olbermann last night. "I think that it`s very important that people be held responsible for this sort of behavior."

Yesterday, Valle told reporters she wasn't certain yet whether she'd pursue civil action against Profitt. However he has been summoned to court, where a judge will determine whether criminal charges are warranted in the case.

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KY-SEN

Kentucky Stomper Wants An Apology From Woman He Assaulted (VIDEO)

Ryan J. Reilly | October 27, 2010, 9:20AM

Former Ran Paul volunteer Tim Profitt

Tim Profitt -- the former Rand Paul volunteer who stomped on the head of a MoveOn activist -- told told local CBS station WKYT that he wants an apology from the woman he stomped and that she started the whole thing.

"I don't think it's that big of a deal," Profitt said. "I would like for her to apologize to me to be honest with you."

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KY-SEN

Kentucky Stomper: I Stomped Because Of Back Pain

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 9:03PM

Tim Profitt of Paris, Ky., is joined by other demonstrators as he attends a rally in support of Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, March 2, 2010. The rally also drew demonstrators opposed to Bunning's action in holding up a $10 billion spending bill because it would add to the deficit. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

The former Rand Paul volunteer who stomped on the head of a prone MoveOn activist tells a local CBS affiliate he would've never put his foot on the victim at all if it wasn't for his bad back.

According to WKYT, "[Tim] Profitt explained that he used his foot to try and keep her down because he can't bend over because of back problems. He also says police were alerted to watch her before Paul arrived because people in the crown recognized her as someone who may try and pull a stunt."

Video footage of the altercation clearly shows Lauren Valle subdued on the ground, held by multiple large men.

KY-SEN

Conway Spox: Will Rand Paul Apologize To Stomping Victim?

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 6:00PM

Kentucky Senate candidates Jack Conway (D) and Rand Paul (R)

Jack Conway spokesman John Collins sent over a statement calling out Rand Paul, who has apparently not reached out to apologize to assault victim Lauren Valle.

"We are still waiting for Rand Paul to apologize to the victim of this attack," Collins says. "A boot stomp to the head of a woman is never appropriate,  Rand should apologize to her, stop blaming others, and identify the others involved in this thuggish behavior and
disassociate his campaign from them immediately."

Intentionally or not, the language in this statement is similar to the language Conway used to question Rand Paul's college antics, which included hazing a female friend by placing her in a stream and telling her pray to "Aqua Buddha"

Rand Paul

Lexington Police Serving Former Rand Paul Volunteer With Criminal Summons

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 4:36PM

Tim Profitt of Paris, Ky., is joined by other demonstrators as he attends a rally in support of Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, March 2, 2010. The rally also drew demonstrators opposed to Bunning's action in holding up a $10 billion spending bill because it would add to the deficit. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

The Lexington police have just announced that they've served Tim Profitt -- Rand Paul's former Bourbon County coordinator -- with a criminal summons for assaulting a MoveOn activist outside of the Kentucky Senate debate last night.

"Today, October 26, 2010, detectives identified the suspect, involved in the assault, as Tim Profitt," reads a statement from public information officer Sherelle Roberts. "Mr. Profitt is currently being served with a criminal summons ordering him to appear before a Fayette County District Court Judge."

The victim, Lauren Valle, claims that the attack -- during which she was pulled to the ground and stomped, resulting in a concussion -- was premeditated.

KY-SEN

Kentucky Stomping Victim Says Assailants Recognized Her, Premeditated Attack

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 3:50PM

KY-SEN candidate Rand Paul (R)

The woman who was dragged to the ground and stomped by Rand Paul supporters outside of the Kentucky Senate debate last says her assailants recognized her as a regular anti-Paul protester and premeditated their attack.

"The Rand Paul campaign knows me and they have expressed their distaste for my work before," Lauren Valle, 23, told TPM and two other reporters on a conference call this afternoon.

According to Valle, several men surrounded her before Paul arrived at the event in Lexington last night.

"They surrounded me," she said. "There were about five of them, they started motioning to each other, and they got behind me."

Valle says her partner, whom she identified as Alex, overheard the men threaten, "we're here to do crowd control and we might have to take someone out."

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Rand Paul

Kentucky Stomper Identified As Paul's (Now Former) Bourbon County Coordinator

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 3:29PM

The Rand Paul campaign has just severed ties with their Bourbon County coordinator -- a man by the name of Tim Profitt -- who has identified himself as the supporter who stomped on the head and neck of a MoveOn activist outside of the Senate debate in Lexington, KY last night, according to Fox News.

Profitt apologized for the scuffle to the Associated Press this afternoon, and apparently told them that the camera angle made the incident appear worse than it really was.

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Rand Paul

Paul Condemns Kentucky Attack, Suggests He Knows Stomper's Identity

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 2:18PM

Kentucky Senate Candidate Rand Paul (R)

Rand Paul's campaign has officially condemned his supporters for attacking a MoveOn protester outside of the Kentucky Senate debate last night in Lexington. Interestingly, though, his statement suggests that he knows who perpetrated the attack -- information which the Lexington police say they're still looking for.

"The Paul for Senate campaign is extremely disappointed in, and condemns the actions of a supporter last night outside the KET debate," the statement reads. "Whatever the perceived provocation, any level of aggression or violence is deplorable, and will not be tolerated by our campaign. The Paul campaign has disassociated itself from the volunteer who took part in this incident, and once again urges all activists -- on both sides -- to remember that their political passions should never manifest themselves in physical altercations of any kind."

Emphasis ours. About an hour ago, the Lexington police department's public information officer told me that developments in the case should be forthcoming, but that they still hadn't identified the men seen on the tape.

Rand Paul

Kentucky Attack Victim Suffers Concussion, Police Hope To Identify Suspects Today

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 1:15PM

Kentucky Senate Candidate Rand Paul (R)

Another update for you on the situation developing in Lexington, KY, where a MoveOn supporter was attacked and stomped on by Rand Paul supporters

Sherelle Roberts, a public information officer for the Lexington division of police tells TPM that investigators have made no arrests and filed no charges in the case. But because the incident was caught on camera, officers are optimistic that a breakthrough is imminent.

"I think we're probably going to come up with something later today," Roberts said, adding that tips have been coming in literally from around the country about who the suspects in the attack might be. "Because it was captured on video, we have a good idea what happened [and] at this point there doesn't seem to be anything to justify how this incident unfolded."

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Rand Paul

Paul Stops Short Of Condemning Attack On MoveOn Protester (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 10:38AM

On Fox News this morning, Rand Paul publicly discussed the attack that occurred last night in Lexington, KY before the Senate debate, when a number of his supporters dragged a MoveOn protester to the ground, and one stomped on her head. During his appearance, he called for civility, and described the incident as something that should not have happened. But he did not explicitly condemn the attack itself.

"We want everybody to be civil and want the issue, the campaign to be about issues," Paul said.

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MoveOn

MoveOn Urges Paul To Condemn Kentucky Attack, Calls For Arrests

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 9:53AM

Kentucky Senate Candidate Rand Paul (R)

Justin Ruben, Executive Director of MoveOn.org, says in an official statement, "We're appalled at the violent incident that occurred at the Kentucky Senate debate last night."

Numerous news reports clearly show that the young woman--a MoveOn supporter--was assaulted and pushed to the ground by Rand Paul supporters, where one man held her down while another stomped on her head. This kind of violence has no place in American society, much less at a peaceful political rally.

Our first concern is obviously Lauren's health and well being. She is recovering, and we will release more details as we have them. We are concerned that no arrests have yet been made, and we hope those responsible will be brought to justice quickly, and that Rand Paul will join us in condemning this horrible act.

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Rand Paul

New Footage Emerges Of MoveOn Activist Stomped By Rand Paul Supporter (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 9:40AM

Just a quick update on the developing story out of Lexington, Kentucky, where a protester affiliated with MoveOn was dragged to the ground and stomped by Rand Paul supporters ahead of last night's Senate debate.

We understand that the victim has left the hospital, but we don't have official word on her condition. We'll try and get you an update this morning.

Both campaigns have now reacted to the attack, which was caught on camera at multiple angles.

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Rand Paul

Rand Paul Supporter Stomps Head Of Female MoveOn Member Outside KY Debate (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 25, 2010, 11:29PM

Josh Green flagged an incident that occurred outside of the Rand Paul-Jack Conway debate in Lexington, Kentucky Monday night that's already dominating the news in Kentucky and could easily make headlines nationally.

As the candidates arrived, a group of Paul supporters pulled a female MoveOn member to the ground and held her there as another Paul supporter stomped on the back of her head and neck.

According to the Louisville Courier Journal, "Lauren Valle of MoveOn.org approached Paul and tried to give him an "employee of the month award" from Republicorp...a fake business MoveOn created to symbolize what it says is the merger of the GOP and business interests controlling political speech."

The whole thing was caught on video. Watch:

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2010 elections

MoveOn Takes On Corporate-Funded Campaigns In New Set Of 28 Ads

Marc Kilstein | October 22, 2010, 8:43AM

MoveOn ad, "Our Ad"

In a new television ad blitz, the liberal grassroots group MoveOn.org Political Action is releasing 28 new TV spots in various toss up Senate and House races across the country. The ads take aim at Republican candidates who have benefited from "corporate front-group spending," as the organization has stepped up its fight against corporate money in politics following the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The ads, which use a single template for all 28 races, are titled "Our ad." They feature pictures of MoveOn members holding up signs, reiterating the narrator's script: "This ad is not paid for by the corporate front groups and oil billionaires who are trying to buy this election. This is our ad made by hard working Americans who live right here in [name of contest's state] and we have one simple message. [Name of Republican candidate] is backed by one of those front groups, and if he's on their side, then he's sure not on ours. Vote [name of Democratic candidate]."

Read more »

WI-SEN

MoveOn: 'Feingold's In Trouble'

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2010, 12:58PM

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

MoveOn is now raising money for Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), a longtime progressive champion. And they're really taking the hard sell -- with a dire warning that he's in serious danger.

The TPM Poll Average gives Republican businessman Ron Johnson a lead of 52.2%-43.6%. Polling has suggested that this is in large part due to a severe enthusiasm gap, with Dem voters less likely to turn out in this blue-leaning swing state.

MoveOn has a new fundraising email, out, entitled "Russ Feingold's in trouble." The title and the overall phrasing of the message itself seem tailored to jump-start Dems with the necessary sense of urgency.

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Health Care

Reformers Fight Senior Citizen's Front Group With Bush Ties Over Health Care Law (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2010, 12:43PM

Tea party activists rally in Washington D.C.

As Democrats and Republicans gird themselves for a fight over President Obama's health care law, the leading health care reform coalition in the country is locked in a brawl with the 60-Plus Association -- a corporate-backed organization posing as a senior citizen's advocacy group. And heading the fight for 60-Plus is a former Bush attorney with a history of attempting to suppress voter turnout.

At the center of the tussle are dozens of ads 60-Plus is running in districts of vulnerable Democrats who voted for the law. At a distinct financial disadvantage, progressive groups -- including Health Care for America Now and MoveOn -- are asking TV stations around the country to drop the ad, citing factual inaccuracies.

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Social Security

55 Dems Sign Letter To Obama Opposing Social Security Cuts, Privatization

Brian Beutler | September 20, 2010, 3:18PM

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)

Over 50 House Democrats have now signed on to a letter, first obtained by TPM earlier this month, warning President Obama they'll oppose any effort on his part, or on the part of his fiscal commission, to cut Social Security benefits or privatize the program.

The letter was spearheaded by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. It was originally cosigned by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Dan Maffei (D-NY), Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and CPC co-chair Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). The advocacy groups Social Security Works, P Street Project (the lobbying arm of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee) and MoveOn helped organize the effort to add signatures.

They will continue to round up signatures through tomorrow, before the letter goes to the White House.

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Social Security

Gibbs: Despite Titgate, Simpson 'Will Continue To Serve' On Debt Commission

Brian Beutler | August 30, 2010, 3:52PM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Progressive activists have one more reason to be dissatisfied with the White House. A growing coalition of groups, along with members of Congress and Congressional hopefuls, have called in recent days for Social Security foe Alan Simpson to be fired from the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Today, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said it's not gonna happen.

"Senator Simpson sent an email that he's now apologized for," Gibbs said at the daily White House press briefing today. "We regret that he sent that email. We don't condone those comments. But Senator Simpson has and will continue to serve on the commission."

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MN-GOV

MSNBC Rejects MoveOn's Ad Calling For Target Boycott

Eric Kleefeld | August 19, 2010, 1:53PM

A new ad from MoveOn.org attacking Target.

MoveOn has hit a bump in the road for its anti-Target ad, which calls for a boycott of the company as a result of its $150,000 donation to a business group running ads for Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. MSNBC, the liberal-branded national cable channel where MoveOn hoped to air the ad, has instead rejected it.

An MSNBC spokeswoman told the Associated Press that the spot violates the channel's policy against ads that directly attack an individual business.

It's not all bad news for MoveOn, though. The group says that local TV stations in the Twin Cities market are running the ad.

As we've documented, Target's involvement with the business group MN Forward, to which they donated $150,000, triggered a political backlash in this liberal state due to Emmer's right-wing social positions. The company said it was supporting the group because of economic issues, but the CEO has since apologized.

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MN-GOV

MoveOn Ad: Boycott Target For Pro-Emmer Political Donations (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 17, 2010, 12:42PM

A new ad from MoveOn.org attacking Target.

The Target corporation is continuing to face political heat over its donation to a business group supporting Republican Tom Emmer in the Minnesota gubernatorial race, with MoveOn now putting out a new TV ad calling for a boycott.

"Target and other corporations are trying buy our elections," the announcer says. "But if we all work together, we can stop them. Boycott Target. Our democracy is not for sale."

As we've documented, Target's involvement with the business group MN Forward, to which they donated $150,000, triggered a political backlash in this liberal state due to Emmer's right-wing social positions. The company said it was supporting the group because of economic issues, but the CEO has since apologized.

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PA-SEN

MoveOn Endorses Sestak Against Specter

Eric Kleefeld | May 14, 2010, 11:35AM

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA)

The liberal group MoveOn has endorsed Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) in his primary challenge against incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter, with Sestak taking 67% in a vote of MoveOn members in Pennsylvania.

From MoveOn's announcement:

Sel from State College told us that "Sestak not only has a better chance of winning in the fall, but he's a Democrat out of conviction, not desperation." Grant from Media said "I live in Sestak's district. He's been sensational as a Congressman." On the other hand, Christine from Meadville worries that "Arlen Specter is an opportunist and cannot be trusted to side with the Democrats."

Joe Sestak has a strong record in Congress, supporting health care reform, clean energy, and a woman's right to choose. If he wins the primary on Tuesday, it'll send a powerful message that voters want Democrats in Congress who'll proudly lead the fight for progressive legislation.

(Emphasis in the original.)

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2010 elections

MoveOn Backs Halter In Arkansas Primary Challenge

Christina Bellantoni | March 1, 2010, 12:35PM

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter (D)

MoveOn.org today endorsed Lt. Gov. Bill Halter in a Democratic primary challenge against already embattled Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas.

MoveOn announced in an email that 92 percent of their more than 4 million members voted to support the primary. It's no real surprise since the progressive group has long targeted Lincoln, but their support could catapult the already tight race to become a repeat of Sen. Joe Lieberman's Democratic primary in Connecticut in 2006.

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