newsobserver.com projects - Do Not Call Registry - Comments

Re: this was voter suppression and was NO accident

rubyji — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:13:09 -0400

I agree. There's no way such an experienced group of political operatives could be this clumsy TWELVE times. They were supposedly targeting unregistered, single, female voters with the "Lamont Williams" voice calling many male, married, and registered voters. Women's Voices Women Vote is led by individuals with decades of political experience, and now they say they didn't think about when the primary was? How can any self-respecting journalist swallow this?

If it’s not an intentional attempt at voter disenfranchisement, then I have to conclude that the folks running Women's Voices Women Vote (and/or MHSC, outreach consultants to Clinton & WVWV (hmmm)) are simply massively incompetent. This isn’t very likely looking at their resumes, but I’d be convinced that it was true if key staff get fired over this incredible screw-up. Does anyone think that will happen?

I hope Cooper throws the book at them and that the media will take a break from coverage of Rev. Wright, gas prices, and flag pins to inform voters of this pressing issue that may well affect the outcome of our state and national elections.

this was voter suppression and was NO accident (link)

poetx99@yahoo.com — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:38:04 -0400

http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2008/04/facing-south-exclusive-dc-nonprofit.asp

per the above, this was not an 'honest mistake', or a bumbling effort by some shoestring non-profit. this organization has engaged in a pattern of such behavior in over 11 states, with the same modus operandi of misleading voters occurring as far back as February, in Virginia, also days before their primary.

the voters of NC need for this story to be featured prominently, and for the correct information regarding voter registration to be disseminated.

Re: Cooper: Robocalls were illegal

kanobi11 — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:29:35 -0400

Very interesting comments from John Edward about Change in Washington DC
http://ca.

Re: Cooper: Robocalls were illegal

kanobi11 — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:12:15 -0400

Clinton-Linked to Group Behind Deceptive North Carolina Robo-Calls - Article Here:
http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2008/04/facing-south-exclusive-dc-nonprofit.asp

This is very disturbing and disappointing, more so a disgrace to our democracy.

Re: Cooper: Robocalls were illegal

blculbre — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:49:57 -0400

Doesn't this group's actions count as a felony?

Re: Cooper: Don't use robocalls

jjsmith2 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:59:26 -0500

I would like a national do no email list along with a do not send me junk mail list and a do not leave garbage on my door list

Re: Cooper: Don't use robocalls

surefire247 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:45:01 -0500

This is a terrible idea. It limits political free speech that is crucial to our system of government. It will make elections even more expensive because it will almost cut-out an inexpensive and effective way of advertising a candidates message to the voters and it also pushes the candidate to use more expensive avenues of advertising such as traditional snail mail, TV, radio, and email.

If this passes, will it extend to political polling, some of which is done by robo type polling of "push 1 to agree, push 2 to disagree"?

How will this be regulated and who will regulate it....and to what expense? Who will enforce this? What will the penalties be, a financial fine (more money for the state)?

How is a small race such as a county commission race or an NC House race on a shoestring budget, limited technical ability, and manpower supposed to take people off its voter call list who is on the Do Not Call List? Larger races such as for Congress, Metropolitan Mayor (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro etc.)governor etc. can afford the technological know-how and manpower to do this...maybe.

So let me get this straight, in the days of caller ID, answering machines, and more and more people using cell phones instead of land lines; a few folks who are inconvenienced by a 30 second robo call a few times a year promts the need for more bureaucracy and governmental regulation (part taxpayer expense - part candidate expense) to end a perceived annoyance from a candidate who only wants his/her message to register in a voters mind for consideration on election day?

What's next a "National Do Not Email List", a "National Do Not TV commercial me because I'm so tired of seeing the same "Toyota-thon" ad list"?

At a time when we all would like more election participation, this seems to encourage just the opposite.