Liberal Powerhouse Puts Dems on Iraq Hot Seat

March 28, 2007— -- MoveOn.org, a progressive advocacy group that wants the United States out of Iraq by the end of 2007, announced Wednesday that the top three Democratic presidential contenders -- Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. -- have agreed to answer questions from the group's members at on April 10 at 7 p.m. ET.

"For our members, we would like to see an end to the war by the end of 2007," Eli Pariser, MoveOn.org's executive director, told ABC News. "That's what we want. Then the question is: 'How do you get there?'"

At a minimum, the group's "virtual town hall meeting" will be heard as a streaming radio broadcast over the Internet. The group is also exploring whether the discussion will be carried live by radio stations and whether there will be streaming video of the candidates answering the questions.

Clinton, Obama Spar Over Iraq

Clinton's decision to participate in the forum and subsequent survey may offer a high-profile opportunity to evaluate the way ardent Iraq War opponents view her position on the war.

Clinton and Obama have both reversed their earlier opposition to setting a target date for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq. Obama, however, actively tries to separate himself from Clinton, who voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq in 2002, by invoking his opposition to the Iraq War before it began.

Edwards, who like Clinton voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq, implicitly tries to separate himself from the former first lady by pointing to his 2005 apology for his vote.

Even though MoveOn.org's Dec. 31, 2007, out-of-Iraq goal is three months earlier than the March 31, 2008, pullout goal that passed the Senate Tuesday with the support of Clinton and Obama, 85 percent of MoveOn.org's members recently told the organization in an online survey that they wanted the group to go along with a March 31, 2008, exit from Iraq.

"Eight-five percent said they wanted us to support it," said Pariser, referring to the March 31, 2008, pullout date. "Not because it is our dream policy but because it is a step in the right direction and it takes the fight to the president."

Other Dems May Participate

Additional presidential candidates -- beyond Clinton, Obama and Edwards -- might be included in the Iraq Q&A session if more than 10 percent of MoveOn.org's members indicate online that they want to hear from that particular candidate.

Pariser told ABC News that he thinks it is "likely" that candidates other than Clinton, Obama and Edwards will garner more than 10 percent support and qualify for participation.

Immediately after the virtual town hall meeting, MoveOn.org will invite its members to indicate which candidates' positions they prefer. The survey results will be released on Thursday, April 12.

The April 12 release of the survey results will not, however, constitute an endorsement. The group plans to wait until the fall to decide whether it will endorse any candidate. Before making any such endorsement, MoveOn.org will conduct an online balloting.

Former Vice President Al Gore has been close to MoveOn.org since leaving office, having delivered several high-profile speeches at events the group has organized.

He is not, however, being considered for possible inclusion, because MoveOn.org is limiting participation to announced presidential candidates. Gore has repeatedly said that he has no plans to run for office again, though he has stopped short of completely ruling out the possibility.

MoveOn.org has also not invited retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a 2004 presidential candidate who has not ruled out a 2008 bid, because he has not formally announced his candidacy.

MoveOn May Endorse Candidate

Pariser told ABC News that the group has not yet decided what threshold it will require before making an endorsement in the 2008 presidential contest. He said the group wants to avoid making an endorsement if MoveOn.org members are split "50-50."

The group will make an endorsement, however, if there is a clear favorite who meets the yet-to-be-decided threshold established before the fall online balloting.

In June 2003, former Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont garnered 47 percent support from MoveOn.org members who voted online -- more than any other presidential candidate. He did not, however, receive the group's formal endorsement because he failed to exceed 50 percent support.

MoveOn.org, which began in opposition to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998, has grown to become a formidable fundraising vehicle for Democratic candidates who align with the progressive views of its members.

At the time of its June 2003 online vote, MoveOn.org had about 1.5 million members, according to Pariser. Today, the group has 3.2 million members and a track record of being able to raise large amounts of money in small contributions.

The group flexed its muscle earlier this year by pressuring the Nevada Democratic Party to drop Fox News as the media sponsor of an upcoming presidential candidates' debate.