Obama Camp To Unleash Tough Response Robocall Blasting McCain's "Sleazy" Campaign

[yodermon]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/obama_camp_releasing_response.php

Here's a script:

Hi, this is Jeri Watermolen, calling for the Campaign for Change. I live in Green Bay and, like you, I've been getting sleazy phone calls and mail from John McCain and his supporters viciously -- and falsely -- attacking Barack Obama. I used to support John McCain because he honorably served our country -- but this year he's running a dishonorable campaign. We know McCain will continue many of Bush's policies, and now he's using George Bush's divisive tactics. In fact, he hired the Bush strategists whose attacks even McCain once called hateful.

Barack Obama will turn the page on these negative politics and stand up for the middle class. That's the change we need, and it's why I have changed my mind about John McCain. Join me in voting for Barack Obama. Paid for the Campaign for Change, a project of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, 608-255-5172, and authorized by Obama for America.

link to audio: http://obama.3cdn.net/d5e3dd607834aebaa1_72m6yndfz.wav

[gordianot]

1. I really hope not. Robo calls are despicable.

McCain has really hurt himself with his robo call.

[kevinds13]

2. Did you even read it?

That is a great response to McCain's calls.

[gordianot]

3. I read it. Good message however all robo calls are still despicable.

Obama has to his credit avoided robo calls. I make calls on behalf of Obama. Several recipients have told me they appreciate talking to a real person and how they hate robo calls.

[ClarkUSA]

4. People generally hate robocalls because they are usually negative and offensive. Not this time.

Your take on this is somewhat simplistic. It's not the method (robocalls) that bother voters but the message (negative).
Obama is changing even the way robocalls are usually done by playing tough defense but staying positive about his
message of change.

Thanks for your concern, though. :eyes:

[Eyes_wide_ open]

5. Wrong

People hate robo calls because they're robo calls, regardless of content. They are used by marketing companies, bill collectors, and politicians whose message is so distasteful no person wants to be caught dead saying the words themselves, or hearing the flack those words generate.

AFAIC anyone, or any company that is so rude as to assume THEIR time is so much more valuable than mine that they have a machine call my house doesn't have anything to say that I want or need to hear and are hung up on immediately ... period.

I hope the Obama campaign has enough sense not to use them at all, for any reason.

[ClarkUSA]

6. Bullshit. I'm sure I trust Team Obama's political smarts more than yours.

Thanks for your concern, too. Oh, and welcome to DU. :eyes:

[kick-ass-bob]

9. No - not bullshit and you can't pull the 'Welcome to DU' shit on me

I hear a robocall - I hang up. I don't give a rats ass who it is from, unless it is my kids' schools with their announcements.

[ClarkUSA]

13. Sure it is. As Team Obama knows, it's the message that counts, not the method.

I hear a robocall from Team Obama -- I'd love it. It's strange that you wouldn't feel the same way. Hmmm... :wtf:


Unlike you and your buddies upthread, I do care who it's from. Your rude, malcontent attitude is not representative
of the world at large -- although I'm sure Republicans would hang up on a message from the Obama campaign, too.

[kick-ass-bob]

22. Ad hominem much?

I love your little attempt to try to paint me as a disruptor with your little passive aggressive attack. Nice work.

Now back to the issue at hand...

Of course you would love to hear it, you would love to hear something that backs up your stance. YOU don't need convincing. I don't need to waste my time with it, so I hang up. It's strange to me that you would waste your time listening to a call that means nothing to you.

Do you know how hard it is for the avg person to hang up on a live person? They don't do it. But a machine? There is no personal attachment so 'click' goes the phone. There is no rudeness, malcontentness or whatever, as there is no feeling on the other end.

It's a trade off:
Robo: Easier, but less effective per call
Manual: Harder, but more effective



Oh, and welcome to DU.

[ClarkUSA]

23. Sorry, it's an honest assessment. If the shoe fits.... say, what's the last campaign you managed?

<crickets>

One mo' time: it's the message not the method.

Team Obama evidently agrees with me and differs with you, so your opinion is not resonating -- however, I'm sure you'll find
Republicans who are dismayed that Team O's response, too.

[kick-ass-bob]

24. LOL

You sir, are what gives Dems a bad name (if you really are). You skipped over the substance of the post completely. Good job avoiding the issues. Just like some other folks we know.

You yell bullshit because someone has <1000 posts and are condescending to them because your opinion differs with theirs. Then you attack me of all people, because you think I am some sort of closet Puke. You are also the type of person who kept me away for the past 2 years (give or take) because once again, it is always "I am right and everyone else can just fuck themselves."


Wow. All these personal attacks and no response to the issue.

Hey - if the shoe fits. :eyes:

[ClarkUSA]

31. Your hypocritical ad hominem attacks on me are reflective of your lack of judgment on this matter.

But do go on and keep ranting senselessly.

While you do, know that Team Obama and I are the same page regarding this issue. Thanks for your concern, though. :smoke:

[Marrah_G]

35. And yet those same people get away with it over and over again.

The only way to deal with them is the ignore function.

[Indenturedebtor]

37. I'm no puke and I do not approve of robocalls from whoever they come

If you're going to disturb someone in their house you should have the courtesy to actually speak with them.

[Eyes_wide_ open]

33. thanks

[Eyes_wide_ open]

26. Oh bullshit yourself

I actually trust Obama's political smarts more than mine myself for that matter, but that's not what I commented on, neither did I express any 'concern', but feel free to continue with your smokescreens if it makes you feel superior *eyes*

What I took issue with is YOUR statement (which is why I replied to it rather than the OP-duh) ...

"Your take on this is somewhat simplistic. It's not the method (robocalls) that bother voters but the message (negative)."

... made in the snide, condescending tone that is typical of your posts to anyone that has an opinion that differs with your own. Seeing how you express yourself to people that are on your own side makes it really hard to believe that you can be of any use out in the field where you have to talk to people you have foundational differences with.

My point was about robocalls and regardless of how YOU feel about them, others with opinions just as valid as yours, feel that if the 'message' is worth hearing you wouldn't regulate it to a spambot. That doesn't make us republican (as you imply in your snarky replies to others downthread), neither does a low post count.

And you can take your hypocritical welcome and shove it up there where you keep your head.

[crappyjazz]

7. Sorry ...

there's some here who won't take anyone's viewpoint that may be contrary to their own seriously or openly until your post count is higher

Here is an unsarcastic welcome to DU sans the rolly eyes.

I agree with you about robocalls. I would be annoyed by them as well and would much rather have a person call me.

[ClarkUSA]

11. Your patronizing attitude is unwarranted.

My disagreement is predicated on my trust in Team Obama's playing strong defense for good reason by fighting fire with fire.
I stand by my belief that it's the message not the method that matters. I would welcome such a robocall myself because I
understand that volunteers have better things to do right now.

Thanks for your concern as well. And welcome to DU. :eyes:

[crappyjazz]

16. lol

thank you so much, cuz I can tell you really mean it ;)

[Eyes_wide_ open]

27. Hi crappyjazz

Thanks for the welcome

I've been around long enough to know the drill and am not concerned about what anyone with Sarah Palin's mindset -- they don't think like WE think -- has to say. DU is a great resource, and an interesting place.

[crappyjazz]

36. It is a great place

and I've learned so much reading here

:)

[FUCK_BUSH]

8. You have to fight the Evil with any mean necessary.STOP PLAYING F***ING NICE GUY.WE MUST HIT THEM

BACK HARD.PERIOD.

[Cha]

10. "Woman quits job at call center over anti-Obama script"

<snip>

"WESTON, W.Va. -- Chaylee Cole, a student at Fairmont State University, lost her part-time job in Weston last Friday after refusing to make telephone calls attacking Barack Obama.

McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee were paying for the calls, according to a "work paper" handed to Cole and her co-workers at the Weston offices of 1.2.1 Direct Response, a company based in Philadelphia.

"I was working at the call center," Cole said. "We got a campaign ad talking about how Obama had been part of terrorist attacks on the Capitol, the Pentagon and a judge's home and had ties with Bill Ayers.

"Last Thursday, I told them I did not want to read it," Cole said. "They said, 'Either you read it or you go home.'

"I told them I wasn't going to read it. They made me go home without pay for the rest of the day."

The "work paper" told callers to say:

"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 US 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 Democrat allies lack the judgment to lead our country.

"This call was paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee."

<more>
http://wvgazette.com/News/200810210727

[rvablue]

21. I nominate Ms. Cole for the 1st Medal of Freedom from the Obama administration!! n/t

Way to stickk up for your principles, especially since she most likely needs every cent she make on the what they probably pay her.....maybe McJerk can get her a job picking lettuce for $50/hour????

[Overseas]

12. Good job. I think it reflects the feelings of many voters.

Lots of Republicans will cross over this time because their party has sunk so low.

[crazylikafox]

14. Jeri "Watermolen"???? I sure hope that's somebody's idea of a joke

[ClarkUSA]

18. Listen to the audio... she sounds fine. Why are you making fun of someone's name, anyway?

What's next? Barack Obama has a "funny name" too, I guess, huh?

[Marrah_G]

15. Yukc- I hang up on all Robo- calls. No real person....then take a hike.

I don't care who the recorded call is coming from.

[ClarkUSA]

17. Not me... if I heard it was from the Obama campaign, I'd hang on gladly to listen.

And obviously, Team Obama thinks it's worth fighting fire with fire... so I side with them.

[kick-ass-bob]

25. You must be a freeper.

why else would you hang up on Obama?

:sarcasm:

[JerseygirlCT]

30. Me too. nt

[nc4bo]

19. Two-edge sword.

Some people hate them ALL. The hatefilled smear calls, the please vote for me calls, any automated call. Heck, some hate getting calls from me when I phone bank LOL

But I also feel if Mccain is going to be using robocalls to sling mud and crap, Obama should counter it.

On a sidenote, I've noticed some 527 action going on from the Mccain camp here in NC. The newest tv ad is from freedomringsusa.org - typical misrepresentation of Obama's economic plans but using a really angry looking Joe Sixpack type.

So I hope the Moveon or BravenewPAC kept the engines warm for a quick counter measure to these last gasp diddies from the GOP.

Smack this crap down as soon as it's put out in public.

[nc4bo]

20. Dupe. nt

[steve2470]

28. kick nt

[JerseygirlCT]

29. Seriously - does anyone actually listen to these?

If I'm not talking to a real person, I hang up. I don't even get so far as to know why they're calling. IMO, if a real person can't be bothered to speak to me for real, I can't be bothered to listen.

I wonder if there's any way they track this, or can track this?

[AlinPA]

32. Obama is fighting back on the robocalls, but I don't think he should use robocalls. TV ads

that refer to the robocalls McCAin is making will work better IMO, because people get pissed at robocalls at suppertime, and when they are busy.

[RollWithIt]

34. Into the breech young men! UNLEASH THE DOGS OF WAR!!!!

Let em have it.