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About two months ago, I began receiving robo-calls from Michael E. Carter, a candidate for Missouri’s lieutenant governor post who is exploiting the average Joe’s immense dislike of automated phone calls (a.k.a., “robo-calls”) by — you guessed it — using the very tactic he purports to dislike. Below is a chronological review of my communications with Carter:
Two months ago, I began receiving robo-calls from Carter. The first call merely aggravated me, while the second provoked me to share my thoughts about Carter’s tele-tactics in a post, Missouri Politician Exploits Do-Not-Call Registry.
In turn, my thoughts prompted Chad Carter, a representative of Carter’s campaign whom I suspect is related to the candidate, to post several comments of concern and a comment skirmish ensued. Three days later, we both picked up our virtual balls and went home.
Today, I received my third robo-call from the self-proclaimed do-not-call-list candidate. His message contained familiar do-not-call-list content with an added explanation about why “TIME & TEMP” appeared in my phone’s Caller ID screen (recreated in graphic at left). Carter, it seems, operates a time and temperature phone service in the area.
After receiving the call today, I conducted a bit of online research and learning something shocking: According to a March 16 Suburban Journals article by Steve Pokin, Carter’s robo-calls to my home number were part of a massive plan to bombard voters across the state with 50 million automated phone calls delivered by robo-dialing between now and the Aug. 5 Democratic primary.
In addition, Pokin reported this interesting tidbit:
“I would say that I’m actually reaching out to the public in a public-relations way,” Carter said. “If they have concerns about it – I have not started them yet – let me know and maybe I can get you off the rotating calls that we will make.”
One would think that Chad Carter might have taken the words below — that appeared in that post along with several of my comments — as an indication that I should be removed from his call list:
Apparently, the Democrat will live up to his telephonic promise not to call me again ONLY IF I register my name, phone number and e-mail address on his web site. In other words, his do-not-call ploy is merely an offer to trade phone calls for e-mails and snail mail.
Apparently, writing blog posts about a candidate like Michael Carter isn’t enough to get one’s number off the list. Perhaps publication of two blog posts will do the trick.
Chad, are you reading this post? If so, please remove me from your list.
As of 12-31-08
6 responses so far ↓
1 Chad Carter // Jun 15, 2008 at 9:41 am
We are fairly new at dealing with the media, but generally have an optimistic outlook on things.
However, it’s a bit disconcerting that you seem to take on a certain disdain rather than really reporting objectively.
One example is that Vote4Carter.com only asks for a registrant’s phone number – which we already have. The new input simply allows us to remove that number from our list. Any and all other information mentioned for input on the website is voluntary.
Have a look if you don’t believe me. Oh, and we’ve never called a registrant again. Now, that would be worthwhile to report — but it simply won’t happen.
We don’t need any information from anyone about addresses and what not. We have it all already.
Mike hopes to attain office without owing his soul to corporate America or Special Interests. Because he owns many lines for his time and temperature and can make robo calls at no cost, well, perhaps there is a way to chat with the voters and get elected because of the people/voters and no one else.
If he can’t do it with the robo-calls, well then he’s not going to do it. The more traditional methods require pandering and so forth. His free access to robo calls was the primary reason he came up with the Missouri Political Do Not Call List — because he knew he’d have to make millions of them.
I hope you will take a second to digest this comment.
Chad Carter
chad@vote4carter.com
314-591-0169
2 hotoffthepress2 // Jun 15, 2008 at 11:36 am
Chad — You can slice, dice and peal this issue a million different ways, but the fact is more people than not are going to view your campaign tactics just like Scott Stevens in the comment he posted below my original post on this subject. Might want to rethink your strategy.
3 locomotivebreath1901 // Jun 16, 2008 at 10:22 am
My house phone in KC received the same three phone calls in as many months.
As we all know, the politicians exempted themselves from the requirements of ‘do not call’ legislation, which, of course, allows them ~to call~.
Even politicians claiming to champion ‘do not call’. Huh?
And this nonsense of ‘register to opt out’ falls into the same frustrating category of ‘press one for English’ or ‘click here to unsubscribe’. A completely insulting and disrespectful attitude toward people who never signed up or asked for the distinction in the first place!
I’m no democrat, Mr. Carter, but if I were, this ‘do not call’ dichotomy of yours would question my support for you. (not faithful in little things = not faithful in big things, etc).
4 » No-Call-List Candidate Calls Blogger for Third Time! NoisyRoom.net: Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace. Amelia Earhart // Jun 16, 2008 at 10:34 am
[...] From Bob McCarty Writes: [...]
5 Lyndon Mraz // Jul 19, 2008 at 10:49 am
These people are not only disrespectful and wrong in calling my house everyuweekend but they are stupid and i would never vote for such loosers that use these ploys to get a vote.
6 hotoffthepress2 // Jul 19, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Lyndon Mraz — I just received my sixth call from Michael Carter, but refuse to post any more posts about him.
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