Top Democrats Embrace, Distance Themselves From Michael Moore -- 07/27/2004

Top Democrats Embrace, Distance Themselves From Michael Moore -- 07/27/2004: "Left-wing filmmaker Michael Moore's anti-Bush film 'Fahrenheit 9/11' was praised by top Democrats as accurate, but party leaders are keeping their distance from the movie and its producer during this week's national convention.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) lauded Moore's film.

'It is so good because it opens up the eyes of so many Americans who don't know what goes on and the motivation of people who are making important decisions,' Waters told CNSNews.com on the opening night of the convention.

Howard Dean, former Democratic presidential candidate and former governor of Vermont, was noncommittal about Moore and his film, which has grossed over $100 million.

"I have not seen the movie, so I can't comment on it," Dean said. When asked his reaction to Moore's message and his harshly critical public statements about Bush, Dean again declined to comment. "To be honest with you, I am not sure what that is, either. I haven't paid that much attention; sorry," he said.

When CNSNews.com referenced Dean's appearance at the liberal Take Back America conference on Tuesday along with Moore, a Dean aide intervened and claimed that Dean would not be sharing the same podium with Moore.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said she has not seen the film and would not elaborate.

CNN's Larry King told CNSNews.com that Democrats are not quite sure how to handle Moore or his controversial film.

"I think [Moore] creates two degrees of comfort zone. I think [the Democrats] are happily unhappy with [Moore]," King said."


By Marc Morano
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer