MoveOn.org brings in big money for embattled Dems

Democrats' liberal allies haven't deserted them -- at least when it comes to fundraising.

The liberal activist group MoveOn.org announced Thursday it raised $500,000 from its members for Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold (D), who's facing a surprisingly tough challenge from businessman Ron Johnson (R).

The group also raised $125,000 for Rep. Alan Grayson. The Florida Democrat is a long-time target for conservatives but possibly even more so after he released a TV ad labeling Daniel Webster, his Republican opponent, "Taliban Dan."

MoveOn.org said it also raised $100,000 for Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello, a freshman Democrat locked in a tough race against Republican Robert Hurt.

"The past few days have shown that progressives are stepping up in a big way for leaders, like Russ Feingold and Tom Perriello, who're willing to fight the real fight -- combating corporate interests to put democracy back in the hands of the American people," Justin Ruben, MoveOn.org's executive director, said in a statement.

The announcement comes amid reports that large Democratic donors are sitting this election cycle out. George Soros and billionaire Peter Lewis, who each gave more than $20 million to Democratic-aligned groups in the 2004 election, have been less generous so far this cycle, according to the New York Times.