Breaking News from ABC! Dems send cease-and-desist letter to NRCC over automated phone calls!

[flpoljunkie]

Republicans deny any illegal activity, of course. It will be very interesting to see if this is reported on on the network evening news shows, ABC, in particular.

Note: I added the t's to no, below to the ABC typos! They obviously put this one out in a hurry!

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2006/11/stop_illegal_ro.html

Stop Illegal Robocalling!: Democrats Send Cease and Desist Letter to Republicans

November 06, 2006 6:07 PM

ABC News' Ellen Davis Reports: Bob Bauer, General Counsel for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent a cease and desist letter to Don McGahn, General Counsel of the National Republican Campaign Committee requesting a stop to what he alleges is an illegal form of random calling of voter's residences using recorded political messages, often known as 'Robo-calling'.

The letter states: "The NRCC calls do not identify at the outset, and as required, that they are sponsored by the NRCC. These calls do not contain a telephone number. This failure to comply with the law denies callers effective sponsorship information. Without the benefit of a number, they are also unable to request that they not be called again. And we have received reports that individuals have been contacted multiple times by your prerecorded calls, despite their continued refusal to accept the calls."

Don McGahn, Council for the Republicans responded in this letter: "Thank you for your press release. Per your request, this is to let you know that there is no need for the NRCC to, in your words, bring its actitivities into compliance with Federal law, because NRCC acitivities are already in compliance with Federal Law.

In Fact, with respect to telephone disclaimers, we have simply copied what you own national committee does. I have a recording of a pre-recorded phone message from DNC counsel Joe Sandler which contains the same sorts of disclaimers (including placement) as NRCC calls. Maybe you ought to send a letter to the DNC as well?"

When asked about the letter, NRCC communications director Carl Forti said "we comply with all federal laws and regulations regarding political phone calls."

NRCC Communications director Carl Forti, in a separate conversation with ABC News's David Chalian, said that they have made no phone calls past 8 PM, which suggests he realizes that would constitute a violation.

[Infinite Hope]

1. They're probably using an "independent expenditure" as they like to do n/t

[spooky3]

2. The typos are ABC's ("do no contain"); and why didn't ABC report

whether the DNC or any other Dem. org. in fact does what the NRCC charges? What was the Dems' response to this?

If you check the original letter linked at the site, it does not contain the typos.

What else is ABC sloppy about here?

[flpoljunkie]

3. Post deleted. Fixed ABC's typos.

[spooky3]

8. I hope you didn't think I was criticizing you--what I meant was

that I wondered whether ABC was trying to make the Dems look bad.

[flpoljunkie]

4. Please report if anyone covers this on the nightly news shows.

[AJ9000]

11. I think ABC reported on it briefly. I wasn't paying full attention.

[SouthernBelle82]

5. Good and keep the pressure

This is good. I'm glad they're not letting them get away with this and keep up the pressure.

[Elidor]

6. K&R

K&R!

[sarahlee]

7. K&R n/t

[Brundle_Fly]

9. CNN is "mentioning it"

on there blog watch....

[cornermouse]

10. And by the time any action is taken...

The election will be over. Surprise.

[renate]

12. on KO one of them (Keith or Alter, can't remember) said

Each of those calls (if found to be illegal) could cost the NRCC $500. Each one.

It would be lovely to bankrupt the Republican machine.

[martinautours]

14. Finally someone who is thinking

That should only be the first step. Fine them for each call for each law the call breaks. There are state and national election laws as well as local and national do not call laws. Don't stop at $500, go for $5000/call and don't just bankrupt the dicks, throw them in jail where they belong.

[sarahlee]

13. Please read: Robocall smoking gun found: your help needed...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2932009#2933387

[civildisoBDence]

15. I have a cease and desist order for ya...

Cease and desist breathing, motherfuckers.

Newsprism