Anna Galland, the executive director of the group's non-profit wing, warned that the decision could hurt Clinton's ability to motivate progressives.
"It’s a shame that Secretary Clinton declined to participate in the MoveOn member forum; she missed an opportunity to speak directly to and energize the progressive base she’ll need in her corner not just to win the nomination but also the general election, if she is the party's nominee," she said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Clinton's two opponents, Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley, were happy to field some questions.
Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz praised the idea of a forum last month, saying it was an ideal opportunity for the candidates to engage with voters. Why, then, did the party's leading lady forgo the chance to defend her supposedly progressive record?
Perhaps she's not ready to provide an answer as to why she used the tragedy of September 11 to justify her Wall Street connections.
Or, maybe she's just scared to get more questions like this.
It's obvious the former Secretary of State is more comfortable in a safer, DNC-sanctioned environment - and the committee is happy to oblige.