NBC reports on DeLay's bait & switch fundraising tactics

[pruner]

Politician or telemarketer?

By Lisa Myers and the NBC News Investigative Team
NBC NEWS

Nov. 10 —  When telemarketers take advantage of consumers, Congress is often the first to cry foul. But what if the telemarketer is himself a politician? NBC News obtained never-before-heard tapes from a controversial fund-raising effort by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay — tapes that some critics claim are a congressional bait-and-switch.

AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN James Helton says he was flabbergasted when he first heard the news from his wife. “She told me you’ve been selected for a national award by Congressman DeLay, and they really want you to call the office.”

Helton wondered why a powerful Republican leader would want to honor a humble Air Force reservist and quickly returned the call. He was so upset by what he heard that he invited NBC News to record the conversation when he called back a second time.
       
First there was a recorded message: “This is Congressman Tom DeLay. I’m asking you to serve as an honorary chairman on our business advisory council, and you will be recognized with our national leadership award.”

Then, a telemarketer came on the line: “You’d be invited to private dinners with congressmen and quarterly strategy sessions in Washington.”
       
In the call, Helton was also promised an exclusive black-tie president’s dinner and his name in a newspaper ad.

Then came the pitch from the telemarketer: “We’re asking each chairman for a one-time gift of $300 or $500 for the ad. Can we count on your support?”

<snip>

http://msnbc.com/news/991699.asp?0cv=CB20

[impeach the gop]

1. Hell, bugman aka cockroach

Been doing this for long time. And still getting away with it.

[proud patriot]

2. That's the same scam con artists use on grandma's

:-(

[pa28]

3. I got the same call

But it was a telemarketer working from a script. She told me I had been selected to sit on Tom DeLay's 'business advisory council' (all of this with boiler room chatter in the backround)

"Really!"

"Really!" she said.

>click<

[JackSwift]

4. Unless he delivers, its fraud

Wire fraud is a federal crime.

[SoCalDem]

5. Someone should actually fund this and tape what happens

when the dem shows up and spills the beans about the scam..

[dusty64]

7. delay is allowed

to do whatever he pleases. He doesn't even try to hide it anymore.

[TexasPatriot]

6. Long ago...

In an effort to solicit funds for the RNC, I got a certificate from Dan Quayle praising me as one of the people who should make decisions about what was right good and just about the moral fiber in the country. I framed it and put it up on the wall behind my toilet. Guys would, invariably, go to the bathroom standing - wonder what the hell it was - and suddenly bust out laughing.

Apparently it's funny that Dan should think so highly of my opinion. Personally, I always found it funnier that I'd be on their mailing list.

[JNelson6563]

8. haha My hubby got one

He's the GM of a Chili's and he got one of these bogus "awards". He knew to call me because I'd know. I told him all about it. He thought it was a cheap, sleazy scheme. I agree.

Julie

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. Gullible Republicans.

Well, they would have to be, wouldn't they?