From the New York Post:
WASHINGTON - The New York Times dramatically slashed its normal rates for a full-page advertisement for MoveOn.org's ad questioning the integrity of Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq. [SNIP]
According to Abbe Serphos, director of public relations for the Times, "the open rate for an ad of that size and type is $181,692."
A spokesman for MoveOn.org confirmed to The Post that the liberal activist group had paid only $65,000 for the ad - a reduction of more than $116,000 from the stated rate. [SNIP]
"I'm surprised they had to pay anything at all for the ad," [a Republican aide on Capitol Hill] said. "They could have just asked the editorial page to run it and it wouldn't have cost them a cent."I bet the PR director and the MoveOn spokesman didn't even hesitate when they gave out the pertinent information.
Allahpundit is surprised. I'm not. After all the New York Times executives can give discounts to whom they wish and, really, what is anyone going to do about it?
The discount demonstrates plainly and finally, for all to see, that the NYT sees itself as an ally to the radical anti-Warrior Left. And its executives are proud of this fact.
Actually, the openness is refreshing. My dad once opined that an adversary who is up front about his enmity is far less dangerous than the one who 'smiles in your face' and plots your destruction in secret.
So, thank you very much, New York Times. I, for one, appreciate your honest enmity.
UPDATE: I stated above that the NYT can offer discounts to whom they wish. However, that might not be the case. Uncle Jimbo of Blackfive has filed a Federal Election Commission complaint about the Petraeus ad, petitioning "my government for redress of grievances, specifically illegal political advertising practices by the New York Times and MoveOn.org." Me like!
