Dirty Trick Robo Calls happening now in Atlanta, Georgia

[beachmom]

I just received this e-mail from barackobama.com in Georgia:

Dear Beachmom,

As the Democratic primaries heat up, we're seeing a lot of the ugly Washington tactics right here in Georgia.

Most recently, we've heard a number of disturbing reports from metro-Atlanta residents who have received automated calls criticizing Congressman John Lewis for supporting Senator Clinton's campaign.

Congressman Lewis is an American hero, and we all owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for his courage and sacrifice. Senator Obama and this campaign respect his decision to support Senator Clinton, and we call on the source of these appalling calls to stop them immediately.

These kinds of misleading tactics are exactly what inspired Barack to run for president -- to put an end to the politics of saying and doing whatever it takes to get elected. And in these final weeks before the Georgia primary on February 5, it's up to us to show that anonymous attacks and divisive Washington strategies won't decide the outcome of this race -- the people of Georgia will.

If you have received one of these misleading negative calls, please contact our Georgia Headquarters at 404-688-1108 or email us at [e-mail].

Let's stand up for a new kind of politics and show our opponents how things should be done here in Georgia.

Thank you,

Eureka

Eureka Gilkey
Georgia State Director
Obama for America


Just another day running against the Clinton scoundrels.

[Inuca]

1. In spite of everything

please tell me there is another reasonable explanation for this, for the "Obama is a muslim" emails, and God knows what else. I mean other than the Clintons. Is there?

[wisteria]

2. I can't think of any.

My brother received one and so did my sister. Both from different origins. This is what go me angry enough to jump in. My sister, was upset at the one she received. I realize it is wrong, but as a Christian she said she would not be able to vote for a Muslim. I spent a long time doing research and e-mailing her my finding to refute the e-mail and convince her that Senator Obama was a good man who would make this country proud about its leaders again.

[beachmom]

4. Thanks, Wisteria. You're doing exactly what JK asked in that

e-mail he sent today. He just said to e-mail your address book with the facts.

[beachmom]

3. Well, I think the Muslim e-mail smears at least originated from the Right.

However, some Clinton people were caught forwarding them (although another staffer responded that this was disgusting). So, I think the Muslim smear e-mails are a Right Wing phenomenon (but the Clintons probably aren't fretting about them, though), which is why Kerry's e-mail (posted today) about the Swiftboating of Obama isn't actually all that controversial. However, the robocalls feel more like an inside job. But the problem with these things is that you never end up figuring out who did it.

We do know that the Clintons played dirty with the caucuses in Nevada, and that they have lied and smeared through Bill Clinton and other Clinton surrogates. So I guess we all have to judge for ourselves HOW LOW will they go.

[Tulkas]

5. Possible

The right seems to want to run against Hillary. They may be trying to help her in the primary.


I don't trust either Clinton and Hillary will never get my vote, still I am not convinced that they would put out those Muslim e-mails.

[beachmom]

6. Mystery solved (I think). Nothing to do with the Right or Clinton:

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

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.

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."

That, Garst said, "is the way he's run the 5th District for 22 years he's been in office. I looked at this as an opportunity to point out to people, in mass, I disagree with him politically."





So it was an "inside job" in this very strange state I live in.