MoveOn.org's Limitations

Some progressives are unhappy that MoveOn is taking a timid role in opposition to the Bush occupation policy in Iraq:

With a network of more than 3 million "online activists," the MoveOn leadership has decided against opposing the American occupation of Iraq. During the recent bloody months, none of MoveOn's action alerts have addressed what Americans can do to help get the U.S. military out of that country. ...A movement serious about ending U.S. military activities in Iraq could use the resolution as a way to cut through political tap dances and pressure members of Congress to take a stand. Down the road, generating grassroots support for a get-out-of-Iraq resolution has potential to clear a congressional pathway for measures cutting off funds for the war.

MoveOn is principally a liberal/progressive campaign vehicle geared to electing candidates and pressing broadly-acceptable positions. In some ways, it's like a nascent political party. Taking controversial stands is the responsibility of candidates and other leaders, not MoveOn as a whole.

Anti-war Democrats cannot yet unify regarding Iraq because it's unclear whether it would be worse to try to stabilize Iraq first before leaving, or simply leave. MoveOn isn't abdicating its role, it's just there is no broad consensus. If other leaders and organizations want to take harder stands, the more power to them, but they may be weakened as a consequence of abandoning broad consensus. Another year of Bush screwups, however, and that broad consensus may well emerge.