by David Lightman
Apparently, no one can raise money for Democratic liberals like Joe Lieberman.
When the MoveOn.org Political Action Project found out that Lieberman was one of the hosts of a $3,000-a-person Washington fundraiser tonight for Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the grass-roots, anti-war group pounced.
MoveOn has long been at odds with Lieberman, a strong backer of the war who won re-election last year as an independent. He has worked together with Collins for years as leaders of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
The word went out from MoveOn Tuesday: Donate money to defeat Collins, who could face a tough re-election battle next year, it told members in an e-mail.
Within 24 hours, more than 5,600 members donated an average of $63 each, for a total of $355,000.
MoveOn, knowing a good thing, decided to keep it going, and Wednesday sent out another e-mail.
“Wow,” the organization said. “In less than 24 hours, thousands of us around the country chipped in more than $280,000 to help anti-war candidates beat Joe Lieberman’s pro-war fundraiser. It’s amazing.
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“The fundraiser is tomorrow night,” the note reminded the faithful, “and Joe Lieberman and other Washington elites who support President Bush’s endless war in Iraq will get together to defend the Iraq war’s supporters—including Maine Senator Susan Collins. While they’re dining on expensive dinner in D.C., Collins’ challenger Rep. Tom Allen is holding an online town hall meeting on Iraq to talk about why it’s so important to end the war.
“The contrast couldn’t be more clear: It’s Washington elites vs. us—the anti-war majority.”