# GOP Dirty Tricks: Harassing "False-flag" Robo-calling **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 7, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369 "2006-11-07T00:04:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/21 "2006-11-07T04:15:56Z")
[QUOTE=nameless] Really? I’m kind of surprised – I’d thought most people, Republican and Democrat alike, had come to the conclusion that the House was pretty much a lock for the Democrats at this point. I have great faith in the Democrats’ ability to drop the ball horribly, as they frequently do, but it would really take a spectacular Chicago Cubs style fuckup at this stage. Wouldn’t it? [/QUOTE] Again, I am voting for the Democrats tomorrow, so I hope you will take the following as sincere analysis rather than as the fruit of partisanship: I think the Democrats want victory so bad that the possibility of it has been somewhat overstated and argued with a certain degree of wishful thinking. While I think significant gains have been made in recent months to make this less unlikely, the widespread beleif that it’s a “lock” is both an overstatement and something of a contraindicator. Such a belief is likely to energize the opposition and create complacency among the Democrats. Remember, it is not one individual election for control but rather many elections, quite a few of which are still closely fought. The Democrats need to win most of these closely fought races, or toss-ups to make the needed gains. The coin needs to come up heads several times in a row. It may happen, but I’m sticking at 1 out 4 as the possibility. As a conservative, my wish is that the Democrats win now, and I get to vote for Giuliani in '08 with a clear conscience. If the Republicans hold onto control, and the Democrats throw out a charismatic sophomore like Obama, or an unelectable like Hillary then I don’t know what I’ll do. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/22 "2006-11-07T04:22:33Z")
[QUOTE=Scylla] Again, I am voting for the Democrats tomorrow, so I hope you will take the following as sincere analysis rather than as the fruit of partisanship: I think the Democrats want victory so bad that the possibility of it has been somewhat overstated and argued with a certain degree of wishful thinking. [/QUOTE] The prognostications are coming from more than just overly hopeful Democrats. The independent pollsters are pretty much in agreement that the odds are heavily in favor of the Dems winning the House, and disagree mainly on the size of the victory. I even saw Bill Kristol predicting a 30 seat gain by the Dems today. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/23 "2006-11-07T04:24:45Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] The prognostications are coming from more than just overly hopeful Democrats. The independent pollsters are pretty much in agreement that the odds are heavily in favor of the Dems winning the House, and disagree mainly on the size of the victory. I even saw Bill Kristol predicting a 30 seat gain by the Dems today. [/QUOTE] If I’m wrong, that’s ok. I hope I am. We’ll find out soon. ---
**Author:** ![nameless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/779978/32.png) [@nameless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nameless)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/24 "2006-11-07T04:45:19Z")
[QUOTE=Scylla] I hope you will take the following as sincere analysis rather than as the fruit of partisanship [/QUOTE] No worries. > [@](#): > > Such a belief is likely to energize the opposition and create complacency among the Democrats. This is plausible, but entirely theoretical IMO. I could also say, with as much conviction, “such a belief is likely to demoralize the opposition and generate low turnout.” > [@](#): > > The Democrats need to win most of these closely fought races, or toss-ups to make the needed gains. Indeed. CNN has been running some idiotic national polls… [QUOTE=CNN] A CNN poll of likely voters released on October 30 showed 53 percent of Americans favoring a generic Democratic candidate in the election, while 42 percent prefer a Republican. [/QUOTE] …which is meaningless national data in a series of races that is only relevant state by state. For that, I turn to [Electoral Vote](http://www.electoral-vote.com:2006/), which is predicting a new house of 239 Democratic to 196 Republican–a pickup of 38 seats. The Dems need 17 for a simple majority. I’m inclined to believe that there’s such significant disparity between what they need and what is predicted they’ll get that it would be as safe a bet as one can make on an election night. Assuming you believe that set of numbers. The Senate is another story, and looks to me like a complete tossup. I’d be a fool to put money on one party or another there, and I wouldn’t want to get my hopes up, so I’m bracing for a tenuous Republican hold on that house. Anyway we don’t have long to wait. Election day is my favorite time of year. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/25 "2006-11-07T07:35:32Z")
[QUOTE=Scylla] Nevertheless, I will be voting to to move Democrats into power. The last six years have shown me that control of all three branches by a single party is, IMO, undesirable. [/QUOTE] I have to applaud your dedication to that principle. Even if I thought Democrats were fucking things up royally, I’m not sure I could intentionally vote for people I disagree with just to alter the makeup of Congress. Then again, who knows what can happen in the fullness of time. ---
**Author:** ![furlibusea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@furlibusea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furlibusea)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/26 "2006-11-07T11:17:59Z")
I am not sure the Democrats could ever agree on enough to create this degree of botch up. “I don’t belong to an organized party…” and all that. That organization has been the strength of the Republicans, and is also why this period of no checks and balances is so bad for the disastrous, the country, and for the party. As a Democrat, I believe that we need the balance of some of the ideas of the Republicans. I like the idea of being suspicious of new programs. I think we should always be wary of big government. The government should be as little involved in the day to day running of our lives as possible. These are all Republican ideals, but to stay in power, they have put in place some the most fiscally irresponsible mess ever to come down the pikeway. They listen in on our phonecalls and want to be involved in the choices of who we sleep with and marry. By removing the checks and balances, they have lost their way. This country needs them back. **Scylla** I haven’t admired you more since I first came to this board to read more of your stuff. ---
**Author:** ![furlibusea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@furlibusea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furlibusea)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/27 "2006-11-07T11:21:44Z")
> [@](#): > > … and is also why this period of no checks and balances is so bad for the disastrous, the country, and for the party… Sorry I did proofread, really I did, but I am not used to getting up at 4:30 am. That should read …and is also why this period of no checks and balances is so disastrous for the republic, the country, and the party. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/28 "2006-11-07T11:41:15Z")
[http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=16105](http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=16105) Some more dirty tricks from the Republicans. It seems they really have their hearts set on winning Virginia. > [@American Chronicle](#): > > Documented incidents of suppression incidents include: > > 1. Calls that Voting will Lead to Arrest. > > Tim Daly from Clarendon got a call saying that if he votes Tuesday, he will be arrested. A recording of his voicemail can be found online at: [www.webbforsenate.com/media/phone\_message.wav](http://www.webbforsenate.com/media/phone_message.wav) > The transcript from his voicemail reads: > > “This message is for Timothy Daly. This is the Virginia Elections Commission. We’ve determined you are registered in New York to vote. Therefore, you will not be allowed to cast your vote on Tuesday. If you do show up, you will be charged criminally." What’s the line that anyone will be charged for these crimes? ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/29 "2006-11-07T11:55:28Z")
This… this can’t all be real. It’s all just too absurd to really be happening. It’s too over-the-top, like a Family Guy joke taking things way further into exaggeration than is logically comprehensible. I understand why people don’t turn out to vote. We’re not choosing the best candidate anymore, we’re picking the candidate who’s slightly less evil. We’re not as bad in Canada yet, but I’m sure it’s coming. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/30 "2006-11-07T16:00:24Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] [Misleading campaign flier](http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/6/192457/153) in Maryland. Steele and Ehrlich are now claiming to be Democrats! [/QUOTE] I don’t find that misleading. It clearly says that those are Ehrlich-Steele Democrats, as in Democrats who support Ehrlich or Streele, and despite what DailyKos says, both Jackson and Curry HAVE endorsed those two Republican candidates this election-I have heard them on the radio doing just that the last week or so. I do not know about Mfume, although considering the way he was treated by the Democratic powers that be here in Md. during the primaries, I wouldn’t be surprised. So…what’s misleading about the flier?(leaving out Mfume because I just don’t know, if he hasn’t endorsed Ehrlich or Steele, obviously he shouldn’t be on there) ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/31 "2006-11-07T16:40:07Z")
[QUOTE=Weirddave] I don’t find that misleading. It clearly says that those are Ehrlich-Steele Democrats, as in Democrats who support Ehrlich or Streele, and despite what DailyKos says, both Jackson and Curry HAVE endorsed those two Republican candidates this election-I have heard them on the radio doing just that the last week or so. I do not know about Mfume, although considering the way he was treated by the Democratic powers that be here in Md. during the primaries, I wouldn’t be surprised. So…what’s misleading about the flier?(leaving out Mfume because I just don’t know, if he hasn’t endorsed Ehrlich or Steele, obviously he shouldn’t be on there) [/QUOTE] Regarding Johnson (note: not Jackson), you seem to be incorrect. From the [Washington Post](http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/) > [@](#): > > Posted at 09:39 AM ET, 11/ 2/2006 > Cardin Democrats > Three days after his predecessor endorsed Republican Senate Michael S. Steele for the U.S. Senate, **Prince George’s County Executive Jack B. Johnson is coming out this morning for Democrat Benjamin L. Cardin.** So, one of three is accurate. Is that now misleading or not? ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/32 "2006-11-07T16:50:28Z")
[QUOTE=Antigen] I understand why people don’t turn out to vote. We’re not choosing the best candidate anymore, we’re picking the candidate who’s slightly less evil. We’re not as bad in Canada yet, but I’m sure it’s coming. [/QUOTE] It had better not. I hold the firm belief that if anything like that happened here, the candidates spouses would divorce them, the electorate would eschew them, and the courts would convict them. That any of these could _not_ happen truly boggles the mind. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/33 "2006-11-07T18:16:05Z")
I have heard that Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity have sworn to move to Canada if the Pubbies lose… ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/34 "2006-11-07T19:01:24Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] I have heard that Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity have sworn to move to Canada if the Pubbies lose… [/QUOTE] …and run for office. Just kiddin’ but it scared the hell out of you guy’s for just a second, didn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/35 "2006-11-07T19:10:54Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] I have heard that Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity have sworn to move to Canada if the Pubbies lose… [/QUOTE] Toronto Canada or boreal forest/northern tundra Canada? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/36 "2006-11-07T19:13:22Z")
There’s a difference? Who knew? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/37 "2006-11-07T19:29:19Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] [Here](http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/11/06/arizona_voters/)’s a story on Republican-sponsored voting regulations that demand restrictive ID protocols more likely “to disenfranchise members of Democratic-skewing groups – blacks, Latinos, the poor and college students.” [/QUOTE] In the What’s-Good-for-the-Goose, department: > [@](#): > > Republicans argue that it’s no big deal to require voters to produce a photo I.D. before casting their ballots. Somebody ought to tell Mark Sanford. With TV cameras rolling, the Republican governor of South Carolina showed up to vote this morning in Sullivans Island. He was turned away. To vote in South Carolina, you’ve got to show a voter registration card, a valid South Carolina driver’s license or a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles photo I.D. card. The governor seems to have had none of the above. and > [@](#): > > The TV cameras followed Ohio Rep. Jean Schmidt to the polls this morning as she tried to vote for herself in a close reelection race. Optical scanning machines refused to take her ballot. > > A local TV station says that two of the three optical scanners at Schmidt’s polling place aren’t working; poll workers are locking ballots into the machines in the hopes that they’ll be scanned later. > > Schmidt isn’t the only Ohio Republican suffering voting problems today. Her House colleague Steve Chabot tried to vote this morning but was turned away because his identification didn’t comply with the state’s voter I.D. law. His driver’s license listed his business address. Although poll workers said they recognized the congressman, they told him he’d have to return with something showing his home address. > > If elected officials in Missouri and South Carolina and Ohio are having trouble with new rules and new technology, we can only wonder how voters are doing in polling places where poll workers aren’t expecting any media scrutiny – and where voters with day jobs might not have the time to make multiple trips to the voting booth. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/38 "2006-11-07T20:04:16Z")
[QUOTE=zoid] …and run for office. Just kiddin’ but it scared the hell out of you guy’s for just a second, didn’t it? [/QUOTE] hell no. We could use more comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/39 "2006-11-07T20:16:17Z")
[QUOTE=Wierd Dave] I do not know about Mfume, although considering the way he was treated by the Democratic powers that be here in Md. during the primaries, I wouldn’t be surprised. [/QUOTE] Mfume endorsed Ben Cardin, so that flier’s not lookin’ so good… ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369/40 "2006-11-07T20:30:10Z")
[QUOTE=Emilio Lizardo] Mfume endorsed Ben Cardin, so that flier’s not lookin’ so good… [/QUOTE] As he is a Democrat, it was a bit surprising that **Weirddave** jumped so quickly to the defense of a dirty republican trick using such thorough misinformation of his own. But again, one out of three ain’t bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dirty-tricks-harassing-false-flag-robo-calling/379369.md?page=3)