Reply #2: Automated calls made by the co-founder of an Atlanta phone banking firm

[maddezmom]

Automated message slams Lewis for backing Clinton

By AARON GOULD SHEININ
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 01/22/08

Automated telephone calls that criticize U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia for backing Hillary Clinton for president were placed by the co-founder of an Atlanta phone-banking firm who said he dislikes the longtime congressman.

Lewis, an 11-term congressman, said the whole affair is the "strangest thing I've ever dealt with since I've been in elected office."

John Garst told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday that neither Clinton's campaign nor that of her top opponent for the Democratic nomination, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, had anything to do with the calls.

"I want to make that abundantly clear," Garst said.

The so-called "robo call" urges listeners to call Lewis' Atlanta office and tell him to support fellow African-American Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Garst, whose company's clients include several top Georgia Republicans and at least two Democrats, said the call was not intended to further the fight between the two Democratic candidates, despite the provocative racial subtext of the calls.

"I read a news story off the Drudge Report about John Lewis, who is my congressman, talking in essence that he didn't really care what his constituents thought about who he should support as president," Garst said. "He was going to do what he felt he should do."

more:http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/01/22/robocalls_0123.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=13