# I'm pitting whoever is behind the phone calls attempting to suppress the Dem vote in Wisconsin. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 5, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160 "2012-06-05T15:18:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/81 "2012-06-05T19:03:56Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I also apologize. I don’t know why, exactly. Don’t want to be left out, maybe. I apologize for **elucidators** apology. That was totally unnecessary. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/82 "2012-06-05T19:04:23Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > No, it doesn’t. Not for these calls, as you yourself admitted, in that same post #60. Apart from the fact that in the same links people say that the calls from the number were from Kathleen Falk. But it makes the point that similar vote suppression calls (“make sure to vote on Wednesday”) have come from a number linked to Walker and Republicans. Can you give me a link to people saying that calls linked to Kathleen Falk were made from that number? Maybe my Google-fu is off but the only thing I come up with that mentions that number and Falk is your post. (Damn. Google does link the Dope fast doesn’t it?) ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/83 "2012-06-05T19:05:13Z")
If only we had Glenn Beck’s blackboard to try and tell us how all these illegal robocalls are part of Obama’s attempt to bring Marxist Nazism to America. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/84 "2012-06-05T19:07:41Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > But it makes the point that similar vote suppression calls (“make sure to vote on Wednesday”) have come from a number linked to Walker and Republicans. > > Can you give me a link to people saying that calls linked to Kathleen Falk were made from that number? Maybe my Google-fu is off but the only thing I come up with that mentions that number and Falk is your post. (Damn. Google does link the Dope fast doesn’t it?) It is in one of the links you posted. The one from 800notes. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/85 "2012-06-05T19:14:37Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > No, it doesn’t. Not for these calls, as you yourself admitted, in that same post #60. He’s not claiming that those specific calls are linked to Walker. He’s pointing out that the calls are linked to the number. He is also pointing out that the number is linked to Walker, from back in February. He is also pointing out that the number is linked to pro-Walker calls from the Republican Party, as recently as three days ago. He did not connect those dots\* for you; he simply put them out there. You can refuse to connect the dots if you insist, but you do not successfully rebut his post if your “rebuttal” relies on the presumption that he did (go beyond placing the dots out and actually connecting them). \*It kind of strains plausibility to posit that between June 2 and June 4 the number was de-linked from Walker and from the Republican Party and snapped up for use in this current (oh, all _right_, "alleged) scam. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/86 "2012-06-05T19:16:16Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I apologize for **elucidators** apology. That was totally unnecessary. All these apologies are inappropriate for The BBQ Pit, and I feel an apology is in order from whomever is responsible. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/87 "2012-06-05T19:18:32Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > It is in one of the links you posted. The one from 800notes. Okay. A poster name “Idiot” responded with “It was NOT a Pro-Walker caller, but a Falk pollster. Um duh!” And then a poster named “same idiot” immediately responds to “Idiot” with “Oh and the real-robo calls for Falk are coming straight outta DC! At least DC and the Unions aren’t hiding where her cash flow is from right, hey?” So, are the calls from Wisconsin (as the 608 area code would indicate) or are they straight of DC? These two socks having a conversation with themselves can’t even decide. Sorry if I can’t take them seriously. The First poster in that thread is backed up by posts on other websites. If I Google “608-257-8029 falk” all I get are that thread and your post here. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/88 "2012-06-05T19:22:06Z")
Okay. I just called the damned number. Here’s what I got. Check it out yourself if you don’t believe me. “The Republican Party of Wisconsin, please leave a message”. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/89 "2012-06-05T19:27:28Z")
I should add that Senator Taylor would have to be pretty damned stupid to falsely file an official complaint against that number when phone records will show what calls have or have not been made from it. Edited to add: I’ll also admit that the Republicans would have to be pretty damned stupid to make such calls from that number. But I think that it’s possible that some rogue GOTV volunteer is doing this. At least that seems more likely than Senator Taylor making it up. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/90 "2012-06-05T19:28:52Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > What spin? I have had one singular point. One! And the point is that if you tell somebody not to do something, they are probably going to do it. But presumably the robocall is not saying “this is Scott Walker telling you not to vote in my recall election,” which I agree would probably only serve to energize the opposition. It’s (allegedly) saying you don’t need to bother, because you already cast your vote. A small percentage of people may believe the calls are genuine and follow the instructions. And as we all know, the naive, unsophisticated, and trusting don’t deserve the right to vote anyway. Last time I was scheduled for jury duty, I called the night before and the recording said I didn’t need to show up. I did _not_ feel in any way emboldened to show up anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/91 "2012-06-05T19:38:46Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > He’s not claiming that those specific calls are linked to Walker. He’s pointing out that the calls are linked to the number. no, the calls in the OP are not linked to that number. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/92 "2012-06-05T19:49:13Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > no, the calls in the OP are not linked to that number. Which entirely misses the point. **Vote suppression calls have been linked to that number.** And that number has been linked to the Republican Party of Wisconsin. (Check out my last few posts. Call the number yourself.) My main point was to pit whoever is behind voter suppression calls in Wisconsin. I’ve managed to go beyond that and actually show **who** is behind voter suppression calls in Wisconsin, even if I haven’t shown who is behind the specific calls in the OP. You can try to claim that I haven’t proven anything, but the way that you’re doing it is just silly and pedantic. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/93 "2012-06-05T20:04:07Z")
It’s basically the same tactic that they tried in[Maryland in 2008](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/robert-ehrlich-paul-schurick-voter-suppression_n_1131852.html) Although in that case the Deomcrats won in spite of this so a full investigation was performed resulting in a conviction. This time, who knows. In any case the solution to this clear example of election fraud is obvious: Voter ID laws. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/94 "2012-06-05T20:05:11Z")
Give it up, man. At this point he’s literally just waving a big flag of denial. I can’t decide if it’s more painful or heartbreaking to watch the contortions required to ignore the facts. Honestly, I really do feel sorry for most of these right wing apologists. Does it hurt to be that wilfully ignorant? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/95 "2012-06-05T20:13:50Z")
What willfull ignorance? Failing to believe every accusation against Republicans is not willful ignorance. It’s actually the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/96 "2012-06-05T20:22:41Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Correct. And the “they all do it” response is exactly what the Robocall originators are counting on. Often, the goal is simply to suppress the vote. Some dirty campaigns focus on calling people frequently, or at odd hours, just to irritate them and make them say “to hell with this election, I’m not voting”. > > There is one party in particular that tends to benefit from reduced voting. > > I fully support making robocalls illegal in any way, shape or form, as they are not traceable, and lend themselves too easily to dirty trick campaigns. plus they piss me off. Second the motion. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/97 "2012-06-05T20:22:42Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > What willfull ignorance? Failing to believe every accusation against Republicans is not willful ignorance. It’s actually the opposite. Ignoring the fact that : 1. a number was used to call voters in an attempt at vote suppression (evidence provided) 2. that number has been linked to the Republican party in the past. (evidence provided) 3. current phone calls to that numbers are answered by a Republican party answering machine message. (first hand report, and testable by you if that is not enough) 4. a Senator is putting her professional name and reputation on the line to call attention to this behavior, when a false report would be political suicide. (to little advantage if true) Don’t let Occam’s Razor cut you. So yes, please, explain these facts and provide counter citations sufficient to call this tangible evidence in doubt. I’m an engineer, and I need data and logical inference. You’re a lawyer, so false arguments, supposition and astounding leaps of credulity are de rigeur. Weasel it for me, wouldja? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/98 "2012-06-05T20:25:39Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > This is fucking rich after several posters went wild on **mister nyx** for trying to ask the same question towards an apparantly pro-recall mailing. No, that’s not at all what happened. **mister nyx** said, of a named group, “I don’t believe they are really Democrats,” in the face of strong evidence that they were. I said, “We don’t know who is making these calls, period.” Do you see the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/99 "2012-06-05T20:27:39Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Okay. Some people on here asked for a phone number for these calls. My post #60 gives a number and links it to Walker and the Republican Party. > > You asked for it. There it is. You skeptics all seem to be ignoring it. Robocalls can not only block caller ID, they can also easily use a fake phone number, to make it look like the call is coming from any number you wish. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160/100 "2012-06-05T20:28:44Z")
> [@picker](#): > > 1. a number was used to call voters in an attempt at vote suppression (evidence provided) > > 2. that number has been linked to the Republican party in the past. (evidence provided) Robocalls can not only block caller ID, they can also easily use a fake phone number, to make it look like the call is coming from any number you wish. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pitting-whoever-is-behind-the-phone-calls-attempting-to-suppress-the-dem-vote-in-wisconsin/624160.md?page=6)