New McCain Robocall Stars ... Sarah Palin!
Sarah Palin may have condemned robocalls yesterday as intrusive and a drain on people's attention spans, but that didn't stop her from recording her own robocall on behalf of the McCain campaign.
Carol Johnson, a retiree from Spooner, Wisconsin, and a second reader from Nevada, report to us that they received robocalls starring Palin herself.
Palin's robocall touted both her and McCain as "mavericks" who have a feel for people's economic suffering, vowed that they would reform Wall Street and Washington, and hit Barack Obama and Joe Biden for not "listening" to the American people.
Here's the script:
Hi, this is Sarah Palin. One of our local campaign volunteers just called you, and I wanted to follow up and ask for your support. You know our opponents may talk a lot, but they haven't done much listening. I know what it's like to be a hard-working mom. I know how hard it is to make ends meet during tough times like this. John McCain and I know our country is hurting, and we know how to turn it around. We'll get our economy back on track. we'll cut your taxes and lower prices at the pump and at the grocery store. John McCain and I are the mavericks who will reform Washington, Wall Street., and all the wasteful government in between. I hope John McCain and I can count on your support on November 4. We won't let you down. Paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 at 703-418-2008.
Palin's call would seem to be at odds with her own public statements about the tactic. In a Q and A with reporters late yesterday, she said she'd prefer that the campaign not resort to such calls at all, describing them as "kind of draining in terms of Americans' attention span."
"They get a bit irritated with just being inundated," Palin added.
The McCain campaign didn't immediately comment.
Late Update: I should have mentioned that Carol Johnson, the reader who tipped us off to his call, is a member of an anti-robocall group called the National Political Do Not Contact Registry (NPDNC), which tipped us off to this call and which you can read about here.
Until Palin arrived on the national scene, I never realized the word "maverick" had ten syllables.
October 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, it's hard to wink and talk at the same time. Also.
October 20, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
"All-so"
also, already!
October 20, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not her accent that's distasteful (note, that I'm trying not to irritate North Dakota--they are a swing state now!), but the substance in Sarah Palin herself.
October 20, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
A call from that nasally voice with that fake Fargo accent would hurt my ear.
October 20, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
At least it's not a sleazy smear call.
October 20, 2008 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just your garden variety lies.
October 20, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Again off topic but here's something unexpected.
Russia's UN Ambassador Receives Fundraising Letter from the McCain-Palin Campaign, Responds
http://www.undispatch.com/archives/2008/10/russian_un_amba_1.php
October 20, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
as a neighbor to Alaska, it has been deemed that Russia is now a part of "Real America."
Also.
October 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
"How hard it is to make ends meet on a per diem for staying in my own home...."
"So hard I don't pay taxes on those very per diems."
Boy, it's a tough world and Sarah makes sure she double dips whenever possible....
October 20, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I only need to know one thing: is her accent as ear-shattering in this call as it is on television?
October 20, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
You or I would have to listen to it to find out.
You first. I'd rather have root canal done.
October 20, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes.
October 20, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not her accent, it's the pitch of her voice, which probably rivals that of the Fat Lady Singing, sharp and shrill enough to break glass.
October 20, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, I, like, find her way of speaking, like, you know, totally like fantastic, and great in a pro-American, kinda, aw shucks, sorta, well you, know, patriotic, like, small town, sorta, like, kinda more, like, real America, not like, you know, elitist, more like outsider, kinda aw shucks, common sense, Joe Sixpack, way. Ya know. For the healthcare and the jobs and all the issues. You know. You betcha.
October 20, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and Maverick. You betcha.
(can someone please code a random Sarah Palin folksy platitude generator?)
October 20, 2008 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
If I get a Sarah Palin Robo Call, I hope I have a whiskey handy, cause I gotta take a shot every time she says "maverick."
October 20, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Then you are going to need a twelve-step program . . .
October 20, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
She better not call during dinner.
October 20, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I had a call from some poll organization a while back; I wouldn't talk to them just 'cause I never talk to telemarketers. I wonder how many people do not get counted in the polls because they don't accept phone calls from people they do not know?
October 20, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think most survey organizations have an approved in-house database which generates random telephone numbers for polling purposes.
October 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Caller ID. I love it!
October 20, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was polled by phone a month ago or so and that's the first time.
I see Unknown person unknown number and I don't pick it up - except here cause I have a friend using scype and those calls come in that way and that's how the poll caught me.
I don't listen to electronic calls about anything at all. Although during the primary I got one from Bill Clinton and I listened cause I like his voice.
;)
October 20, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, McLame can't be critical of her not staying on message. After all, she is a MAVERICK!
October 20, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's awesome that on a robo call she says "You know our opponents may talk a lot, but they haven't done much listening."
October 20, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL! Talk about irony!
PEACE
October 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was wondering if I was the only one who thought that was funny! Good to know there are more of us out here. . .
October 20, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
"...and all the wasteful government in bewtween." Except Alaska.
October 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would love to hear Palin explain how she and McCain are going to "lower prices at the pump and at the grocery store." And I continue to hear Palin and McCain saying that they will reform Washington, but what exactly does that mean?
October 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe they'll implement corporal punishment in Congress. Will Sarah have the glass paddle in her office? (when I was in elementary school, the principal had a fabled glass paddle in her office...)
October 20, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
One thought that comes to mind: Luxury Boxes installed in the Capital building for lobbyists and assorted cronies and sugar daddies to observe their servants at work . . .
October 20, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it means they'd actually move Wall Street to Washington, or vice versa, saves commute time.
October 20, 2008 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, did you read the story of how Sarah Palin redecorated her mayoral office in Wasilla to the tune of over $50,000 in city funds (replete with king crab exoskeleton on the coffee table and a grizzly bear skin on the back of the couch) without the approval of the city council?
No doubt she's going to revive that "Rouge Cou" boutique, and make a few bucks on the side redecorating all of Washington D.C....
October 20, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ugh. Look at that cheek to cheek photo of the mcShame Twins on the front page. Then tell me this lady is gonna be able to ever differentiate herself from her partner and soul mate. I simply can't see that someone so intertwined with mcShame, such a laughingstock in her own right, and in so much hot water in her own state, could ever be rehabilitated for a future run for high office.
Maybe it's there plain as day. But I can't see it, folks!
October 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a good career move for Failin': She can record radio advertisements for hair-growth creams and "miracle" weight-loss plans after her upcoming defeat.
October 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin campaign clarifies the remark and her robo: "She's not at odd with anything. What she meant is people are irritated by robo calls only in socialist, less patriotic counties. They actually find those calls exhilarating in patriotic parts of America."
What are you going to say to her now?
October 20, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gosh, I sure hope I live in a place they now consider unpatriotic! Please, dear god, please....
October 20, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or a place that is soooooo pro-America like Texas so I don't have to hear her either. (wink, wink)
October 20, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey - I just got a call from my friend who is a realtor - I got my ballot! I faxed the application from her office and had the thing sent there cause my mail carrier hates me and I don't get my mail so I figured I'd stand a better chance if I had it sent there and by golly, it came!
First day of early voting in Texas and I have my ballot! In fact, it's here so fast, I'm not going to go vote it until tomorrow since I'm sorta cleaning the house and doing the laundry and I can't go out in public looking like I do right now -
October 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since WI is now polling overwhelmingly for Obama, I'd say you and I are getting our wish.
October 20, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, after a couple of days of being stalked, dead silence. "The Sound of Silence" ♪ ♪ ♪
(still, I'm not trusting it)
October 20, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey TheraP, how do you get those musical symbols?
October 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where does Rich Lowry live? I bet he'll want to save his. Exhilarating!
October 20, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
He'll be sitting up straighter on the couch...over and over again.
October 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
who actually listens to these things? I get one on my phone and it's deleted before the 3rd word is out of their mouth - dem or repub..
kiva
October 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was just saying the same thing.
Usually I hang up immediately if I answer and there is silence after I say hello twice.
That says: This is a robocall or someone working phone soliciting.
October 20, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
From Wikipedia:
Samuel Augustus Maverick (July 23, 1803–September 2, 1870) was a Texas lawyer, politician, land baron and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. His name is the source of the term "maverick", first cited in 1867, which means independent minded. Maverick was considered independent minded by his fellow ranchers because he refused to brand his cattle. In fact, Maverick's failure to brand his cattle had little to do with independent mindedness, but reflected his lack of interest in ranching. [emphasis added]
October 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
They were leftists and proud of it!
October 20, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Helps to explain the problems with the McCain/Palin brand, doesn't it?
October 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lack of interest in applying hot metal to a cow's ass? Blasphemy!
October 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alec Baldwin thinks she's way hotter than Tina Fey,. Just sayin'.
October 20, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Which just goes to show you that he has no taste or sumpin.
She's been largely ignored for her appearance. Powell took care of that.
And I was busy looking at Mark Wahlberg - he's hot.
She's not.
October 20, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not exactly a smear, which was what Palin didn't care for. It's a more or less generic "vote for me" message. Pretty harmless stuff.
October 20, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
O/T, but the Dow and S&P 500 went up nearly 5% today. I've been thinking the markets will settle down a bit, once they know stability is coming. And with the Powell endorsement yesterday, I can't help but see a connection. Things are terrible, but with a steady hand at the helm, the markets are very likely to calm down.
Steady hand - at hand.
October 20, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree but you know what? I see why people who watch Fox get nervous. I was channel surfing and caught this total idiot on Fox claiming the market is scared of Obama and every movement has been in response to either something Obama said or else the improvement is due to the polls tightening in McLame's favor.
Now I see why people get so hysterical - you watch that shit and hell, anyone gets hysterical.
October 20, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Somebody else did a lovely graph showing how the market tanked related to mcShame's words and deeds.
October 20, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
You probably have already read this: Ben Bernanke sort of endorsed Obama in the House Budget Committee hearing on Economic Stimulus Package today.
C-Span is repeating it right now.
October 20, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Hallelujah!
October 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have not seen that - wow.
October 20, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wayne and Garth would observe that this makes her a "robo-babe." But she would still make them hurl.
October 20, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
But do they live in a Schwing State?
October 20, 2008 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so glad I don't live in a swing state. No mailers, no calls, not many ads.
In fact I've seen an occassional McCain but rarely a BO ad in this part of the unpatriotic America.
October 20, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I live in California. I've had no mailers, no calls, nothing. It's great.
October 20, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seen lots of Obama ads here in redder-than-red UT, but nary a McCain one. We were talking about it at work last week: lots of Obama signs and bumper stickers but only one of us has seen one yard sign for McCain. The 7/11 poll by coffee cups has Obama winning in a landslide, but "good" Mormons don't drink coffee, so that wouldn't be an accurate poll. The sky will be green on 11/5 if this state were to go to the Democrats!!
October 20, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I have seen lots of Obama lawn signs and no McCain ones, but this is blue country and I live in a very blue neighborhood.
October 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here in lovely BLUE western Oregon, we're getting the occasional running of Obama's "Not like Bush?" masterpiece when the Merckley/Smith wall of squawk pauses for a breath. Nary a peep from McPain.
I'll still be glad when it's over.
October 20, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
ARE WE REALLY surprised at the 180 degree action and the disgusting in your face lying response????
This has been the course of action of this teams tactics all along...
Mcain Palin are the quintessential pathological liars of all time.
And AND have the balls to deny IN YOUR FACE the lies ... the bold face LIES.. they seem to so innocently deny when confronted...
Denies all sense of rightness... yet exemplifies and magnifies their sense of self righteousness...
BOO BOO BOO and eff you Palin & Mcain...
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
October 20, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
OT: Hilarious softball propaganda piece from the Politico -- as the TOP STORY today!!:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14748.html
And people doubt that the "Rebupolitico" is a GOP mouthpiece. What's next? A frontpage story on Cindy's new hairstyle?
October 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barbie of the South. Barbie of the North. He's got one for each arm.
October 20, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Either last week or the week before in the midst of the economic problems the headliner was race race race race. Does racism make a difference? Yadda yadda.
I don't know if they are biased intentionally, but they are certainly incompetent.
October 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jonathan Martin has been exposed as a huge GOP kiss ass, or at least Rove Lieutenant kiss ass. I wish I had the article, but the kid is bought and paid for.
October 20, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are we sure this isn't Tina Fey?
Just a funny Halloween prank?
October 20, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
You may be on to something.
October 20, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, Tina Fey sounds more like Sarah Palin than she . . .
October 20, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
A reformer struggling with standing up to even her own campaign? What the hell?
Also from that article yesterday, she said:
October 20, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really don't get her the more I think. So two-faced and hypocritical! Par for the course for republicans i guess. She wants to shake Warshington up? I think the only thing she is going to do is put a new face the same old tactics! Officially, putting lipstick on a pig. Washington is going to love her! Pretty face, low morals, will say anything, do anything, and excite people while saying whatever shit leaves her mouth! Just because you are new to Washington, doesn't mean you are different. Washington, the kind McCain speaks of, is a state of mind, she has that same mentality. What an absolute degenerate fool...
America will suffer severely under her rule. America, just say no, please, make me proud of my country again. Please kick her back to Alaska.
I have this living nightmare of a thought sometimes. November, 4th, 2008, around 9p PST, and McCain/Palin are announced as winners. I shutter at that thought, it seriously freaks me the hell out! It cannot happen! I have been talking to everyone I come in contact with, offering my help to understand it all, I can't imagine the horror.
Please, let's stand up as Americans, say yes to Obama, we need him!
October 20, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
OT, but really always ON thread these days?
I voted early here today in Tejas. 45 minute wait but plenty of workers and booths.
October 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
You see my comment to you upthread? I got my ballot! First day of early voting in Texas and they got my ballot to me.
I'm so relieved.
October 20, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm envious of you guys. I want to vote now.
October 20, 2008 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going to vote this week.
Why you may ask? Because I'm going to Chicago on the 4th! I can't fucking wait.
October 20, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
My ballot is in an office down on Kit Carson Road, and I'm in the middle of cleaning the house so I'm actually going to wait until tomorrow to pick it up and vote.
Then I'm overnighting it to Dallas.
October 20, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
More robocalls = more $$$ for Obama.
October 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never realized how much the word "maverick" irritates me.
October 20, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I miss robocalls. Here in CT, no one has called me. Back in 2006, before the primary? Bill called me 6 times. Joe called me 4 times. (ick). John Edwards called me twice. Ned called me 4 times.
This year? Bupkus. Nada. Oh wait. An Obama volunteer called me to ask if I'd be willing to make calls. First time a campaign has ever done that. So I said "Yes", and started making calls. The Obama people are even calling people in Connecticut.
And slightly O/T, but not really: I'm addicted to The Weather Channel. Sad, but true. Obama is now regularly showing ads on the Weather Channel. Never seen that before.
October 20, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awwww. Poor baby - you only live in the richest and one of the bluest states in the country.
My heart breaks for you.
October 20, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know. It's tough, but someone's gotta do it. And after having lived in one of the blue oases in Mississippi for seven years, well, it's kind of a contrast.
But can I just say something about Connecticut? Westport, Greenwich and southern Fairfield County are the richest regions (on a level with Marin County, etc). The rest of us lower and middle income people don't find Connecticut all that wonderful, because it's extremely expensive to live here.
For instance, I don't know that I've ever going to be able to afford to buy my own home, prices are that crazy. I think I eventually will, but it will involve a very long commute to work. I won't be able to afford anything within a half hour of where I work. I don't know how people do it here.
End of public service announcement.
October 20, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course, that's the problem with wealthy areas - the property is unaffordable for any but the wealthy. I hear ya.
Living in Taos part time is really the first time I've lived in a blue area. It's certainly relaxing for a change. LOL!
[My time as a hippie in California doesn't count - who knew about such things back then?]
October 20, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I do find it terribly interesting that Obama is advertising on the Weather Channel - my god, do we need any more proof of how goddamn much money they've had to spend?
LOL!
October 20, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
On one of the pundit shows someone asked whether McCain should look to do a half hour broadcast and someone else said that Obama has basically bought all the air time available so that the stations would have to bump other advertisers in order to create space. If true, it also effectively blocks out any last minute 527s.
October 20, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw that! It was Meet the Press.
That's both hilarious and awesome.
October 20, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes I saw it.
BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
October 20, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry missed it. Damn. Now we're threads away...try to catch up with you there...
October 20, 2008 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know. The Obama campaign needs a feature where you can sign up for one great phone call from Obama and another from Biden.
Call it - Robo Service
October 20, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sheeeeit - sign me up for a daily phone call from Barack Obama - I want to start the day with his voice=
October 20, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of which: what happens to the money they fail to spend during the campaign? Does it go toward extra balloons for the victory party or something?
October 20, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
These guys totally telegraph their moves. If they condemn robo-calls, you know they have a bunch in the can. If they call your campaign racist, it's because they are playing to the KKK wing of their own party. If they attack your fundraising, they probably have some shenanigans to account for. And if they ever accuse you of voter fraud, they're trying to figure out how to steal the election.
October 20, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
O and by the way - I expect McLame is chewing one of his feet off in utter frustration right now - uber-hawk Ken Adelman just said he's voting for Obama cause McLame lacks judgment and temperament.
LMAO!
October 20, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Being so erratic, he probably starts with one foot then moves to the other, then decides to chew on his knees, then changes his mind and chews on his feet again, then switches tactics and tries to chew on one of Mike Schmidt's feet.
October 20, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
And upthread that Bernanke basically endorse him too this afternoon!
October 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think those in the inner circles probably get much better gossip, if not direct experience, of McCain's behavior and temperment. Powell has been friends with McCain for 25 years, and he questions his steadiness. A lot of them are probably quite concerned. And that is the power of Powell's endorsement, is that it says for the moderate Repubs that it is okay to endorse Obama.
October 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not only that, both the Powell and the Adelman endorsements don't just slam mcShame, they totally erase the Dame.
October 20, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll wait until the list of conservatives who've endorsed Obama is complete and then I'm writing the Dallas paper again and telling them again what fucking idiots they are for endorsing McLame.
It's embarrassing to everyone in Dallas with a brain.
October 20, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even the Salt Lake Tribune endorsed Obama yesterday! The Dallas paper is truly in the Republicans' tank, isn't it?!
October 20, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
God - yes. I just finally told them that - I didn't even soft-pedal the thing, though I refrained from cursing. Except to ask them what the hell they are thinking.
Just insane. I cannot believe they are that bad but they are.
I have tried for 3 years to cancel our subscription but my husband still reads it for the local news and obits. I just don't care anymore.
If someone dies, I'll hear about it. I fucking hate that paper. It's just so stupid because Dallas County doesn't vote Repug anymore.
October 20, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brzezinski On Morning Joe blasted Palin, too. When Joe S. tried to say but Obama is just as inexperienced, Brzezinski said quite clearly that it's about the ability to make decisions. And look how much experience Cheney and Rumsfield had and what a mess they created.
October 20, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
God it was nice to hear a reasonable voice on those shows. And I don't mean because I agree with him-just the measured tones, experience and sageness. Same way I feel hearing Gergen. I cannot *deal* with the hosts and guests who seem intent in turning everything into an argument or histrionics.
October 20, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am MORE than irritated at being inundated with the slanderous comments YOU Sarah Palin and Joh Mcain have made throughout your "campaign"...
Liar Liar pants on fire... you 2 will burn in hell for all the terror and lies you have perpetrated on the American US...
Go to HELL BOTH of you...
October 20, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
A few words about the firm behind the robocalls:----------Feather Larson & Synhorst DCI
From SourceWatch
(Redirected from FLS-DCI)
Feather, Larson & Synhorst DCI (FLS-DCI) are "Specialists in Telephone Contact Business." The telemarketing company used to be known as Feather Hodges Larson & Synhorst DCI. In 2000, the Washington DC-based DCI Group was spun off from FLS-DCI.
FLS-DCI has been one of the largest corporate receipents of funds from the Republican National Committee in 2004. FLS-DCI has close ties to key White House advisor Karl Rove and others in the GOP.
FLS-DCI specializes in creating phony front groups to make it appear as if there's a groundswell of support for its clients' issues.
One of its most prominent front groups is Voices for Choices. AT&T, which has donated millions to the Republican Party and the Bush Campaign in 2004 - and whose general counsel served on Bush's transition team, is one of FLS-DCI's largest and most important clients.
Other FLS-DCI phony productions include Responsible Electronic Communications Alliance and Hands Off the Internet.
On its web site, FLS-DCI states:
"We use state-of-the-art technology to target and communicate with key constituencies. We have a reputation for connecting the right message to the right people. Our team has experience designing and implementing successful phone programs in all 50 states.
"Our client list consists of the last five Presidential Campaigns including Bush/Cheney 2000. We also provide services for the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and hundreds of Republican State Parties and candidates on all levels, as well as corporations, associations and other organizations.
Advisor to President George Walker Bush, Karl Rove's endorsement of FLS-DCI reads:
"I know these guys well. They become partners with the campaigns they work with. From designing the program to drafting scripts; from selecting targets to making the calls in a professional, successful way they work as hard to win your races as you do." ------------------Incidentally , AT&T just recently gave MCain free cell towers. This firm ,DCI, was chosen for SECRET lobby of GOP Senators to vote AGAINST regulating Freddie Mac(see TPM fronnt page story.) Coincidentally, McCain hired the CEO of this lobby group,DCI,Doug Goodyear,to organize the GOP convention last month,according to the AP.
October 20, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rick Davis says campaign "re-thinking Wright".
With no money left, little hope of winning, and already labeled the negative campaign, why this?
McCain needs a gut check, or a check of his advisers, and "re-think" how he wants to go out.
McCain will edge even closer to the Wallace comparison if this path is taken.
October 20, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too late- they're going to bring up Wright and Rudi and other surrogates are going after Obama's "drug use."
You really think they'd climb up out of this pit now?
October 20, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Got the Palin call in Las Vegas last night. It's going to be fun seeing Nevada go blue.
However: Remember New Hampshire!
October 20, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
This "Palin calling" tactic may very well succeed in supressing the Dem vote, when Dems receiving the calls suffer injuries as a result of hurling or dropping their phones, thereby becoming incapacitated and unable to make it to their polling places. Those Republicans think of everything!
October 20, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Being struck in the forehead by a ricocheting cell phone may cause a serious concussion! And as to hurling, I refer both to the hurling of phones and retching due to Palin-induced nausea!
October 20, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Robo calls are very very bad, unless I'm the one making them.
What an ad hoc campaign,
one thing today
another thing tomorrow.
Well Mr. McCain and Mrs. Palin you are running out of tomorrows.
October 20, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
These robocalls make me VERY glad to be a cellphone-only citizen. Speaking of which, I have wondered how accurate all of these polls are, considering so many people nowadays only have cell phones and not home phones.
October 20, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm wondering about that too. Obama is getting out the younger demographic to vote and it is the young mostly that are using cell phones only.
Hmmm, maybe we are in for a pleasant surprise on November 4.
October 20, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's an opinion on the cell phone issue.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27196636/
From Mark Blumenthal of the National Journal.
When you get to the link to Nate Silver, check his analysis out. (FiveThirtyEight.com. WARNING: it's addictive)'
Quick and dirty, Pew and Silver peg the under polling between 2 and 3 percent.
October 20, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
For an interesting satiric visual double take on the McCain - Palin phenomenon see the website/blog:
http://fleetingmatters.wordpress.com/
October 20, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, boy... http://www.comedysmack.com/?/date/2008/10/17/madame-president
October 20, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
She was against it before she was for it (& before her boyfriend John let her star in her very own audio). Greg's article is front-&-center on RealityChex.com at http://www.realitychex.com where it will stay for a while because I'm going off to work on the Obama campaign tonight. I'm sure when I get back there will be some new silliness to replace this one.
October 20, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
The 2008 Sarah Palin Animation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1exiyBYnJ00
October 20, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love how Palin says in comments to reporters:
"If I called all the shots, and if I could wave a magic wand," Palin said, "I would be sitting at a kitchen table with more and more Americans ..."
:rolleyes:
I'd be like, with all the Joe Sixpacks, around the kitchen table, ya know, in like the pro-table part of the kitchen, maybe sitting in a chair, ya-know, and we'd be like discussing the issues, like you know healthcare, and the Iraq, and you know like jobs and everything, and how to like, make America even more great. :wink: You betcha!
Ugh.
October 20, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain Manager: "This Election is Not About Issues"
UPDATE, : In reaction to Rick Davis" comments about the election not being about issues, Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe released the following statement: "We appreciate Senator McCain"s campaign manager finally admitting that his campaign is not in fact about the issues the American people care about, which is exactly the kind of cynical old politics people are ready to change."
ORIGINAL POST
Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain"s presidential bid, insisted that the presidential race will be decided more over personalities than issues during an interview with Post editors this morning.
"This election is not about issues," said Davis. "This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."
Davis added that issues will no doubt play a major role in the decisions undecided voters will make but that they won"t ultimately be conclusive.~~~~~~~~~~~~Washington Post
October 20, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay everyone...take a look at this:
http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/730xivlh.asp
October 20, 2008 11:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's rather sad that McLame actually had some respect across both sides of the isle until he totally sold out...then Palin?? I actually thought about it (but I'm much better now) until I went to his website and saw some of what he had in mind....tax cuts for corporations ARE U INSANE!!! Let's increase spending 300% and give corporations tax cuts..."we can always git them pesky middle classers to pay for it"
"RIGHT SARAH??"
"You Betcha"
October 21, 2008 3:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Alec Baldwin thinks she's way hotter than Tina Fey,. Just sayin'."
Wrong - he just said she was hotter in person.
October 21, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think putting her on any ad drains the campaign even more. The idea of Palin being elected to any national office scares the LIFE out of me! And she says she's a family values candidate? She tried to keep kids from getting a skate park AFTER they had raised 40k for the thing! That's just wrong!
October 21, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink