TresSugar

Heather Graham Races For Public Option - Love It or Leave It?

TresSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0700

In a new commercial called "Track Meet," actress Heather Graham flashes her toned bod and a bit of cleavage to make the case that America needs a healthy public healthcare option. The spot, sponsored by MoveOn, claims that insurance companies have gotten lazy and bloated from the profits - but a little competition from a fit and lean public option should get the system back in shape. With a new poll showing that the majority of Americans want a government-run health insurance plan that will compete with private insurance, this ad might convince the rest of Americans who oppose it. Do you find it persuasive?

MoveOn.org's "Obama in 30 Seconds" Winner. Good Choice?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:44:48 -0700

MoveOn.org just announced the winner in its "Obama in 30 Seconds" contest, and here it is. It's called "Obamacan" and tells the story of a life-long Republican veteran who's voting for Obama.

It's fine. Serviceable - but doesn't really grab me? But then they didn't include me on the star-studded panel of judges (weird, I know!) that included Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Julia Stiles, and Adrian Grenier. MoveOn received 1,100 entries and 5.5 million people nationwide cast their vote to help select the 15 finalists. The Move-sters have endorsed Obama (the first time they've taken a stand during the primaries) and will spend $200,000 to televise “Obamacan” in battle ground states like Ohio, Colorado, and Wisconsin.

This next one is my personal favorite (sorry Matt and Ben) but then I'm a sucker for '90s-era sitcom star Rider Strong and also baby chicks and cleverness.

Check out all of the finalists, see if you have a favorite. Did these MoveOn ads get you moving?

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Barack Obama Gets One 527 to MoveOn

LibertySugar — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:00:48 -0700

Perhaps bolstering his argument that he wants a purely people-funded campaign, Barack Obama has succeeded in getting progressive group MoveOn to abandon its 527 arm. It will still raise money as a PAC, however, with more restrictions.

In 2004, MoveOn's 527 group spent $20 million. A spokesperson for the group told Talking Points Memo: "This is an affirmation that we, like Senator Obama, believe that this election can be won by ordinary Americans giving small donations."

That will be MoveOn's challenge, as it will no longer be able to raise large amounts from labor unions and max-ed-out individuals whose donations exceed $5,000 limit.

This seems like a smart move. Since Obama has proven successful with small donors, the moral pressure is now on McCain to reject 527s. If McCain cannot persuade his 527 supporters, Obama will still come out looking like he's in control of his more positive movement.

But do you think people will still be upset by Obama's abandonment of the public financing system, a decision that some say proves Obama is just like very other politician?

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Cleese Calls Palin a "Parrot" & Gossip Girl Stumps for Obama

CitizenSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:51:04 -0700

Perhaps it's because dear old dad hails from the land of Cleese, or because that accent can make anything sound measured and thought out, this video of John Cleese on Sarah Palin caught my attention this morning. His pointed commentary on Palin comes as the Troopergate probe expands and at one of her becoming-signature enthusiastic rallies yesterday, Palin mistook a group of supporters for protesters.

The crux of Cleese's argument is that if one were to take the whole of Europe, regardless of political persuasion, one wouldn't find "5 percent" who think she's good enough to run the US.

Cleese says:

Can they not see that she's basically learned certain speeches - and she does them very well, she's got a very good memory - but it's like a nice looking parrot. Because the parrot speaks beautifully, and kind of says 'Aw, shucks,' every now and again but doesn't really have any understanding of the meaning of the words that it is producing, even though it is producing them very accurately. . . the extraordinary thing is that so many people are taken in by it.

Does Cleese's argument strike a bad chord - or ring true?

An entirely different generation and genre of entertainment is getting into the mix too. To see the Gossip Girl gang's new Obama ad, read more.

In their take-off on those anti-drug PSAs, apparently McCain is the new high? OK, sorry, I know that's not what they meant but. . . doesn't making something off-limits make it more appealing? Just thinking. . .

The spot is part of MoveOn's Youth Vote program. Does it make a compelling case? More compelling than Cleese? Should entertainers stick to that, and leave politics alone?

Rapper Nas Gives Petition to "Propaganda Machine" Fox News

CitizenSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:55:15 -0700

Rapper Nas joined with the Color of Change and MoveOn to deliver a petition to the offices of Fox News yesterday. Just after his controversial album hit number one, Nas took the podium protesting the racist attacks he sees coming from Fox against Black Americans and Barack Obama.

Delivering over 600,000 signatures to the network, Nas delivered a prepared speech saying, "We already knew that Fox is not a news network; they are a propaganda machine . . . Fox poisons this country every time they air racist propaganda and try to call it news. This should outrage every American that Fox uses hateful language to talk about the person that may be the first black president."

Fox declined receipt of the signatures, but issued a statement: "Fox News believes in all protesters exercising their right to free speech, including Nas, who has an album to promote."

That album now called Untitled had an original, much more controversial title. Does this affect his statement against Fox?

To see clips of the Fox language Nas finds offensive - served up on last night's Colbert Report (where the petition was delivered after Fox refused to accept it) - plus Nas's interview with Stephen, read more.

Nas was in studio with Stephen too - see the episode with his interview including talk of his feud with Bill O'Reilly.

Does Nas and the Color of Change/MoveOn petition have a point? Is Fox racist?

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Make Your Own Obama Ad! Matt Damon and Celebs to Judge

LibertySugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:00:29 -0700

Tired of tacky and empty campaign ads? Well, if you're an Obama supporter now is your chance to do something about it! The super emailers at MoveOn want you to make your own 30-second spot telling the nation why we should elect Barack Obama. The winner of their "Obama in 30 seconds" contest will get a $20,000 gift certificate for movie equipment. Your ad will also make it on national television.

All you have to do is sway the panel of famous judges that includes Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Oliver Stone, Naomi Wolf, Markos Moulitas, Russel Simmons, Jessie Jackson, and a bunch more Obama-maniacs! If you're an aspiring filmmaker, try and top Will.i.am - this could be your big break!

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