The Shoe That's On the Other Foot

The Washington Post reports on MoveOn.org's response to the Swiftboats For Truth ad calling for George W Bush to condemn the ads (which he, incidentally has not sanctioned in any way).

Retired Rear Adm. Roy Hoffmann, founder of the Swift boat group, much of whose funding has come from a Texas developer, said in a statement: "We find it odd that MoveOn PAC would question the right of a group of veterans to voice an opinion on a legitimate issue -- an issue first raised by John Kerry -- and now the centerpiece of his campaign. . . . We will not be silenced."

Asked why Bush should be responsible for an ad by an independent group with the same legal status as MoveOn, Eli Pariser, the PAC's executive director, said: "They're clearly a surrogate organization. The Bush campaign has a responsibility for what's being done on its behalf. Certainly if Kerry felt MoveOn was doing something he didn't agree with, he has every right to condemn our ads."

It's rough when the shoe is on the other foot and you have a 527 making you look like a fool. It goes to show that even people who disagree with you have a right to free speech.