Wave Of McCain "Ayers" Robocalls Reported, Some May Violate State Law

[Amerigo Vespucci]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/16/massive-rnc-robocall-may_n_135348.html



The McCain-Palin campaign and the Republican National Committee launched a massive robocall campaign on Thursday designed to alarm voters about Barack Obama's past association with former radical Bill Ayers. The committee may be violating state law in the process.

The call begins: "Hello. I'm calling for John McCain and the RNC," before telling recipients that they "need to know that Barack Obama has worked closely with domestic terrorist, Bill Ayers, whose organization bombed the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, a judge's home, and killed Americans."

More remarkable than the message (coming after a presidential debate in which John McCain said he didn't care about a "washed up terrorist") is the reach of the campaign itself. The Huffington Post received dozens of emails from voters who had either received the call or gotten a voice mail with a recording. Reports came from Ohio, Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Texas and Maine.

Two readers in Minnesota also reported receiving the call, which could be a violation of that state's laws. Explains Shaun Dakin, CEO & Founder of the National Political Do Not Contact Registry:

"Most robocalls are supposed to have two things, "paid for by X" and a phone number of the group making the call. Most do that. Now, that being said, there are some states that have their own robocall laws and they are much stricter. Minnesota pretty much bans robocalls entirely unless they are introduced by a human voice. And that pretty much never happens because it defeats the point."

The RNC did not immediately return request for comment. Here's audio of the call: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/16/massive-rnc-robocall-may_n_135348.html

The majority of responses from the Democratic and independent readers who received the Ayers robocall were sharply (perhaps not surprisingly) negative.

[TomInTib]

1. Is that a real photo?

Did he really stick his tongue out like that?

I watched the "debate", but I missed that.

Actually, I missed a lot of it. I started drinking seriously after the Joe the Plumber bit.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. Yes, it was from last night...

...got passed around on DU quite a bit..."the tongue" was the subject of much discussion.

:rofl:

The caption:

US Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) reacts to almost heading the wrong way off the stage after shaking hands with Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) at the conclusion of the final presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 15, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Bourg (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008
(USA)

...and here's another:



Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, joined by wife Cindy McCain, reacts to the crowd following his presidential debate against Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

:patriot:

[Viking12]

2. I had the message on my voice mail this afternoon

I transcribed the message:

Hello,
I'm calling for John McCain and the RNC because you need to know that Barack Obama has worked closely with domestic terrorist, Bill Ayers, whose organization bombed the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, a judge's home, and killed Americans and Democrats will enact an extreme leftist agenda if they take control of Washington. Barack Obama and his Democratic allies lack the judgment to lead our country.
This call is paid for by McCain/Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee at 202-863-8500

Is it legal for the McNasty campaign to coordinate with the RNC?

[sohndrsmith]

4. Whoever wrote this was at least "attempting" to be somewhat careful

it seems... not that they succeeded.

I'm surprised, though, that they label Ayers as a "domestic terrorist" which is something that I've yet to hear anyone use to describe him in print or on cable networks - unless they're repeating a JM/SP statement. They seem to be very careful to say "radical" or "activist" - he certainly was a serious protester of the Vietnam war.....

But I don't believe he was ever convicted, even when he eventually turned himself in. He did do deplorable things with the Weather Underground, no argument there. But they also would call ahead and alert any people in the area so that they could leave - so no one would get hurt. Doesn't excuse the actions, but I think it's an interesting detail.

He's also not "unrepentant" he gave a formal apology to someone who did, in fact, get injured. He also said similar things in an article for the Chicago Tribune. They have distorted his statements made (regrettably) on 9/11 - even the prosecutor in his case said that this witch hunt is deplorable (my words, not a quote, but basically the same sentiment).

The last thing Obama wants or needs is to make Ayers more of an issue right now, but these accusations really seem like slander to me. Ayers has done so much to make amends and he is involved in a lot of good things with the support of many people - from both parties.

This is so wrong - and it is so dangerous. "terrorist" is not a harmless term in this country at this time. It makes me furious that people are actually able to use their two brain cells available to understand this as "Obama is a terrorist."

But if I'm honest, I'd have to say that I think their real intentions with this are the ones they haven't come out and said - literally:

America = hates terrorists
Ayers = terrorist
Obama = knows Ayers
Obama = "brown"
War on Terror = terrorists are "brown" (Middle Eastern)
Brown = (or black) is "not like us" (and lumped together as "terrorists" too, at least Middle Eastern/Muslim people are)

This, folks is about racism. And it's the ugliest thing I think I've ever seen - because it cloaked in keywords that aren't shocking people. I'm shocked that anyone seeking high office in this country could be so hateful. I'm disgusted that he (and she) have as much support as they do.

But I would like to see a legal complaint made on this, I really would. But not until after the election. They'd probably welcome it before the election - they're that desperate... it would give them an excuse to really dig into Ayers. Guess his philanthropic contributions to society for the last 2 decades are over due to all this. What a shame.

[sohndrsmith]

5. I forgot: THANK YOU for saving/transcribing this... n/t

[Viking12]

8. You're welcome. There's an audio recording posted over in the video forum

[creeksneakers2]

6. Robocalls are illegal in Pennsylvania

I don't know all the details.

[livetohike]

7. I received a robocall tonight for John Morganelli

:shrug:.