Greg Sargent over at TPM has the low down on a high-profile, high-ground development as the Obama campaign seeks to shift from a large-donor to small-donor base:
MoveOn, the advocacy group supporting Barack Obama, has decided to permanently shutter its 527 operation, partly in response to the Illinois Senator's insistence that such groups should not spend on his behalf during the general election, I've learned from the group's spokesperson.
MoveOn's decision, which will dramatically impact the way it raises money on Obama's behalf, is yet another sign of how rapidly Obama is taking control of the apparatus that's gearing up on his behalf.
By shuttering its 527, MoveOn is effectively killing its ability to raise money in huge chunks from labor unions, foundations, and big donors who would give over $5,000. The decision doesn't mean MoveOn will stop spending on Obama's behalf. Instead it will raise money exclusively with its political action committee, whose average donation is below $50 and will even be raising money with things like bake sales starting this weekend.
Ben Smith points out the move is largely (but importantly) symbolic; thus far in the election cycle, most anti-McCain ads from MoveOn have been funded by its PAC anyway, and labor unions are the big guns in the 527 realm.
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