Obama Robocalls for Corzine

by: Jason Springer

Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 05:42:03 PM EST

Jake Tapper with ABC has the audio of a robo call going to voters from President Obama on behalf of Governor Corzine. Here is the script of the call:

"Hi this is President Obama," says the robocall, "I want to apologize for disturbing you, but there's an important election in New Jersey this coming Tuesday.
"Last year we started the movement for change," he says. "Now we need to keep it going."
"That's why I'm asking you to get behind Governor Jon Corzine. Together we can fix our schools, improve health care, turn around the economy so it works for all Americans.
"So please get out to vote on Tuesday. And vote for my friend and your governor Jon Corzine. Thanks for listening."

But that's not the only calling going on. PolitickerNJ tells us that Dick Codey has a robo call going into homes of Democrats in Essex County, while Kevin O'toole has calls on behalf of Chris Christie. In addition, the State Party has had a call hammering Chris Christie and reminding voters that it's never wrong to vote for the right person, which has been a line from Chris Daggett, although they initially denied involvement in the call.

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RNC has McCain and Rudy robo-calling NJ Voters

by: Jason Springer

Sun Nov 01, 2009 at 12:00:00 PM EST

The RNC is sending robocalls from Rudy Giuliani and John McCain into the homes of NJ Voters. Here's the Rudy call:

Hi this is Rudy Giuliani. I'm calling because I care about what's going on in New Jersey. The Trenton Democrats broke their promises and raised billions of dollars in taxes. Business, jobs and families have been driven out of the state. Special interests dominate Trenton and corruption continues to fester at taxpayers expense. Business as usual can't be allowed any longer. We need your vote to get New Jersey back on the right track. On Tuesday, November 3, let's replace the Trenton tax machine for the real change NJ needs. Vote Republican

And then here is McCain's robo-call:

This is John McCain calling with an urgent message. Trenton Democrats broke their promises and raised millions of dollars in taxes. As a result, businesses, jobs and families have been driven away. These corrupt special interests will continue to dominate unless you take action. This is an extremely close election and your vote will make a difference. On Tuesday November 3, vote Republican for the real change NJ needs.

And the RNC isn't alone, Rosi got a robo-call from Cory Booker the other day. Let us know in the comments if you've gotten any robo-calls.

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Group asks candidates to sign pledge not to robocall

by: Jason Springer

Tue Sep 08, 2009 at 02:00:00 PM EDT

I highly doubt that either side agrees to this, but I saw these tweets come through the other day from @EndTheRoboCalls:

petition @ChristieforNJ to Please don't robocall during the NJ Governor Race. #TCOT #P2 http://act.ly/i8 RT to sign #actly
petition @JonCorzine to Please don't robocall during the NJ Governor Race. #TCOT #P2 http://act.ly/i7 RT to sign #actly

And here's what their petition says:

We are asking both Governor candidates to follow the NJ law that bans all robocalls, even political calls.
How can you lead a State if you can't follow your own laws?
Here is a link that explains NJ law -
New Jersey's toughest-in-the-nation anti-telemarketer law currently prohibits automated robocalls, yet provides exemptions if the message is introduced by an operator who first obtains the listener's consent, or for "a prior or current relationship between the caller and the subscriber." The lawmakers noted that some political campaigns have interpreted the "prior relationship" exemption to include any registered voter. Removing the "prior relationship" language would effectively prevent a Democrat or Republican from receiving a robocall simply because they are a member of a political party.

The link they provide is actually to a release on a bill that has been introduced ehancing the robocall laws, but it has not passed either house. Either way, I don't think the candidates will agree because it's a cost effective method of reaching voters, despite how much people say they hate robocalls. I do think it's interesting to note how issue advocacy groups are utilizing technology to drive their message and encourage supporters to take action.

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