MoveOn.org targets Senate races

MoveOn.org, the antiwar group that has been one of Democrat Barack Obama's most important backers in the presidential race, is now urging members to give money to US Senate candidates.

In a video sent to supporters today, the group's executive director, Eli Pariser, declares that the "biggest untold story in politics" is that Democrats are within reach of 60 seats in the Senate -- a big enough majority to prevent Republicans from using filibusters and procedural votes to stand in the way.

"What's the deal with 60? That;s the magic number because if Democrats have 60 votes, there's nothing Republicans can do to block reasonable progressive proposals on healthcare or energy or Iraq," he says.

Pariser does the math: Democrats hold 51 seats now, are likely to pick up three more on Nov. 4, and there are seven more races that are toss-ups.

Republican groups are pouring money into those races, so the Democratic candidates need cash to compete in get-out-the-vote efforts and TV ads, he said.

"The political winds are blowing in our favor, and Republicans know it," he said.