More than 1.7 17 million people have seen "Fahrenheit 9/11", based on a rough estimate calculation offered by Lions Gate distribution exec Steve Rothenberg who joined Michael Moore on a conference call with a small group of journalists this morning. The duo touted the fact that "Fahrenheit" has passed the $100 million and on the eve of the Democratic convention, Moore emphasized that the film has connected with liberals, independents, and even some conservatives.

A recent Harris Poll showed that 89% of Dems and 70% of independents gave the movie a thumbs up, while a surprising 44% of Republicans reviewed it positively. Pollsters also asked about whether the movie's portrayal of the President was fair: 85% of Democrats, 56% of independents and 30% of Republicans said that it was.

Moore said that he'd be heading to Boston tomorrow for an appearance at the Democratic National Convention, hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus. Moore seems proud of the fact that his movie has motivated independents and the base of the Democratic party, but when I asked him whether he'd been approached by the Kerry campaign regarding the film, the director said that he hasn't. "I did not make this movie for the Kerry campaign," he said, adding that there will be a free screening of the film for delegates on Tuesday, and explaining that he will be speaking at a Boston rally with Jesse Jackson, Howard Dean, and the "liberal wing of the Democratic party."

"Those of us out here...that didn’t vote for Bush (are) doing whatever we can do to help the Democrats be courageous," Moore explained.