MoveOn.org tries to sideline Tea Party over shutdown fears

MoveOn.org is whipping up its followers to make the most of the congressional gridlock in Washington, D.C., and rustle up a few bucks.

"The (government) shutdown -- while terrible for America -- is a big opportunity to go on offense and send the tea party into permanent decline," the liberal group declared in an email blast Sunday.

"Our plan is to start by putting targeted web ads on Facebook and other websites targeting the most vulnerable Republicans facing re-election next year," the email stated.

Borrowing a phrase that Leon Trotsky made famous, MoveOn declares: "If we play our cards right, 2013 could become known as the year the tea party relegated itself to the dustbin of history."

The strategy memo is accompanied by a plea for money.

"Time is of the essence - we need to raise $200,000 in the next 24 hours to power our rapid response campaigning and give us the ad budget we need to hold the Republicans accountable. Can you chip in $3 today?"

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