First-hand account from filming of new MoveOn ads

I received an amazing email yesterday from a woman who was selected to be filmed for one of MoveOn's new ads by Errol Morris (director of The Fog of War). If you recall, there was a survey where you were invited to tell your story and MoveOn would select the best for a series of ads featuring "real people". I joked at the time that in order to be picked, it'd be best to be a black Republican military veteran who voted for Bush last time.

Well, Connie Cominsky comes close. She voted for Bush in 2000 and her brother is a Marine and her nephew is in the Army. Both are serving in Iraq. From her email, you can see that my initial sarcasm was basically correct. MoveOn seems to be selecting people who voted for Bush in 2000 and have since changed their minds. Connie met 6 other people during the filming and all voted for Bush.

Here's what she sent me:

I had filled out the questionnaire on the moveon.org website. I attached a speech that I had given in Chicago at an anti-war demonstration. I am a 52 year old small business owner. I was a very strong Bush supporter. I am so ashamed of that now. I first began speaking out last March - I attended a huge rally in Chicago and met up with the Military Families Speak Out group. I am now a member.

I was a little surprised when I got the call that I had made the list for the ad campaigns. I had no idea what to expect. It was a memorable experience. On the day I filmed - I met 6 other "real" people. We had all voted for Bush - and no longer will support him....

Read the rest for Connie's story and read the speech she gave to a Chicago anti-war protest.