Have you received any phone calls urging you to vote for a political candidate? / LJWorld.com

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Asked at Massachusetts Street on November 5, 2006

“Yeah, I received three calls from MoveOn. They’re kind of annoying, but at the same time, I guess I signed up with them.”

— Josh Millstein, web designer, Lawrence

“I have not, but I don’t have a home phone. I’m sure that helps to some extent.”

— Kendra Baldridge, spa coordinator, Lawrence

“I got four in the same class. I just ended up turning my phone off and deleting the messages later.”

— Alex Backus, KU freshman, Lawrence

“No. I just have a cell phone, and I’m careful about who I give the number out to.”

— Andrea Brown, Kansas University graduate student,

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Gootsie (anonymous) says…

Dr. Watson is on top of things.

Nope.
November 5, 2006 at 7:57 a.m.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…

"Under U.S. law, a presidential campaign cannot legally accept foreign donations."

But BushCo certainly doesn't hesitate to meddle in the elections of other countries, going so far as to invade some and install puppet governments.
November 5, 2006 at 8:37 a.m.
roger_o_thornhill (anonymous) says…

Alex Backus, KU freshman, Lawrence--You are ALWAYS supposed to turn off your phone in class. How inconsiderate are you anyways. Even if you don't care, the rest of the people in class have payed lots of good money to be there. I doubt they want to even hear the thing vibrating in your bag. Even "silent" mode isn't silent. And what college freshman is so important as to think that they need to be reachable even in class? Lot of ego for someone with such big hair. If I were in your class, you would get a book 'upside' your head.

Whoo--what did I have for breakfast today? I don't even care about the question anymore because of ol'Backus' statement. Sounds like the same type to talk on the phone while checking out at the groceria or gas station. time and place, jerk! Unless you are a volunteer fireman or something like that, your life isn't that important. Time to think of others for a change. I know it will be tough seeing as how you are likely a child of a GenX dumbass, but remember the Earth revolves around the Sun, not you.
November 5, 2006 at 8:56 a.m.
redneckwoman (anonymous) says…

Let's just say that it was a good thing they called my cell on the weekend & didn't use up my minutes.
November 5, 2006 at 9:03 a.m.
pelliott (anonymous) says…

Recorded political messages, damn robots calling me on my cell or home phone drive me to places I don't want to go. I might still vote for the candidate of my choice but if I can I call them at home and tell them what I think of home intrusions. A person knocking at my door, a live person calling is a respectful appeal. The robot is not. Aurggheghe
November 5, 2006 at 9:17 a.m.
Redneckgal (anonymous) says…

Yes I have. Snoop Dog Kline's buddies called and went on and on with some BS about baby killers and a bunch of other non-sense. Just re-affirmed my vote for Morrison. But I will have to say if my 6 year old would have answered the phone and got that message I'd have been plenty p!ssed.
November 5, 2006 at 9:27 a.m.
Kuku_Kansas (anonymous) says…

I have received 3 messages now on my cell phone.

I don't like that.

Bill collectors don't even have my cell phone number, but somehow Judy Morrison does. (Mind you, I am not even registered in her district any more)
November 5, 2006 at 9:28 a.m.
roger_o_thornhill (anonymous) says…

Shouldn't it be illegal for anyone to make unsolicited calls to a cell phone? Unless they want to reverse the charges. I'd send a goddam bill to anyone who called my cellphone with this crap.
November 5, 2006 at 9:32 a.m.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…

Nope.

Only having the cell phone really helps.

The post delivers tons of mailings though.
The NRA is constantly proposing who I should and shouldn't vote for.

Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
November 5, 2006 at 9:48 a.m.
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…

RI, huh?

I average about 3 phonecalls/messages a day. It's irritating as he!! and sucking up space on my answering machine. When they call, I just hang up. I don't care if it's someone I'm voting for or not.
November 5, 2006 at 10:32 a.m.
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…

Oh, I guess today is "National Gunpowder Day." Wouldn't that be better on July 4th or something? Why today? (I'm sure RI will tell us.)
November 5, 2006 at 10:55 a.m.
prospector (anonymous) says…

This year, not yet. I did receive the " you will need your voter registration card to vote" call last time. LIARS! Politicians do dumb things and phone sollicitation is par for the course.

It is better than Christmas in TV land and this bombardment should be controlled. I feel the need for a bath with all the poo slinging. Just morons' paying morons' to reach the morons' that can't or don't want to learn and decide. A few debates and equal time for all to say what they want would be more than enough.

Don't try to scare us, you already do. I know most people see right through it and vote issues over all. This is just bad and only adds to the low opinions' most hold of politicians. Wise up.

The system is broken. All need to vote and work for change. How about an election week with a piece of paper and a purple thumb. It would work here and we might not have to make others' do it if we lead by example.

Oh look, it's Emerald City, and what pretty flow---ersss...zzzzzz.

Badger for president!
November 5, 2006 at 11 a.m.
beatrice (anonymous) says…

Nope, not a one (knock on wood). It wouldn't matter -- I still plan on voting for Dems, since deep down I guess I really want the terrorists to win.

roger: I'm with you. I just want to smack Alex for being such a punk -- turn the phone off when in class! I hope his instructors see this and use it to humiliate him in front of his peers.
November 5, 2006 at 11:38 a.m.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…

sue,

Guy Fawkes day...

A day to remember the guy who plotted and planned to blow up the Parliament of England (with kegs of gunpowder) while King James I was there. (King James I was protestant and persecuted catholics).(King James I is famous for the version of the bible which carries his namesake, and also being refered to as "Queen James" apparently the king was a switch hitter) Guy Fawkes day is also known as night of the bonfires. (They burn effigies of Fawkes)
November 5, 2006 at 11:52 a.m.
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…

weenie roast tonight then?
November 5, 2006 at 12:05 p.m.
peachesncream (anonymous) says…

i get so tired of the mud slinging even ryun's phone message is calling his opp a liar,,,that makes me not vote for them even if they do stand for what i stand for ( Or until they get in there) Actually i wouldn't be voting if it werent for mclouth's liquor store going to vote remember fellow mclouthians vote NO to keep liquor in mclouth on Tuesday ! ! ! have a super sunday all!
November 5, 2006 at 12:12 p.m.
peace (anonymous) says…

Roger - wow you are bitter. Maybe you should have PAID for a spelling class. Sorry, that was mean.

The phone calls are annoying but this is America and with all the bad things going on here and in Iraq, we still have the Freedom of Speech.

If you do not care about our government then don't answer your phone.

If you do care, listen to the candidates and the issues at hand and make your own educated decisions on who you want in YOUR government.
November 5, 2006 at 12:30 p.m.
badger (anonymous) says…

Laura Bush called me the other day to ask me to vote for candidates with 'Strong Republican Values'. I wanted to say, "I'd love to, Mrs. Bush, but all the Republicans seem to put up these days is a bunch of Jesus-freak reactionary wingnuts who can't even *spell* 'fiscal responsibility' or 'small government', much less advocate or implement them."

Then, I realized that not only was it a recording, but that the woman is deluded enough to think that her *husband* is a 'strong Republican candidate' and so I just deleted the message and shook my head sadly.
November 5, 2006 at 12:52 p.m.
beatrice (anonymous) says…

peace: "If you do not care about our government then don't answer your phone.

If you do care, listen to the candidates and the issues at hand and make your own educated decisions on who you want in YOUR government."

If you make your decisions for OUR government based on recorded phone solicitations, than you are an example of what is wrong with the government today. Making a decision for who should hold a public office should take more than believing what people say about themselves in a commercial. To go so far as to claim that someone doesn't care for their country because they won't listen to a political commercial over the phone might be the purest example of ignorance I've ever read on this board.
November 5, 2006 at 1:42 p.m.
beatrice (anonymous) says…

Oh, and hey there badger. Long time, no see.
November 5, 2006 at 1:43 p.m.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…

There should be a law against those calls!! Poor widow woman comes home, beep, beep beep, signals that I have a telephone message, I rush breathlessly to the phone, who could it be, what adventures may lay ahead . . . . then I hear the voice . . . please stay on the line we have an important message for you . . . and it's someone trying to panhandle my vote!!!!!! Hopes and dreams shattered I delete the message. It's just not right to do that to people. :)

Also, some cretin stole my candidate's yard sign ten feet from my front door!!! My dog had surgery Friday, she needed a lot of attention Friday night and I forgot to bring the sign into my garage for the night, so it was stolen. You can't have much confidence in a candidate if you think you have to steal signs to lower the visability of her opponent!! Whoever you are, instead of thinking you are so cute, you should be ashamed.

Bottom line is, we get the government we deserve. We cast our votes and call ourselves a democracy then instead of accepting the vote and working to make this country a better place to live, most people just gripe from one election to the next if their candidate doesn't win.
November 5, 2006 at 2:31 p.m.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…

I_P, how do they get past the no call list?
November 5, 2006 at 2:32 p.m.
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…

since TOB seems to be on vacation, I'll say it:

"Damn, Bea!"

Ceal, I'm so sorry about your shattered hopes and dreams with the political phone messages. Maybe if an actual person calls and you are home, you can talk to them and tell them how glad you are that they called because you've been just so lonely. :)
November 5, 2006 at 5:36 p.m.
badger (anonymous) says…

Hey, Bea.

Been busy like a crazy person lately. Joined a new gym, moving in with the SO, getting super-involved with the local pagan community after finally making some good contacts at a Samhain festival a couple weekends ago...the days are just packed. We're gearing up to start monthly pagan board game nights, roller skating or bowling events, and coffeechats. Should be super-spiff.

Most of my online communities, save LJ, have been noticing a decided lack of Badger. The LJ just keeps me cause that and Yahoo! groups are how I keep in touch with the local pagans.

But I do periodically pop in to check on my favorite batch of Interweb Kansananians.
November 5, 2006 at 6:44 p.m.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…

Ceal,

When the Jeff with the sheriffs association called once, I asked him "do you know how to get blood out of carpet?" "Just a small accident.. blood spot about 2 foot in diameter"... "and the trail"....

Just get rid of the landline.

I think they have to work harder to get your cell #.
Then you can answer the cell in church, in class, in a theater, at a play, in a restaurant, almost anywhere.
November 5, 2006 at 6:49 p.m.
Kornphlake (anonymous) says…

I got a call asking me to press one if I wanted to put Phil Kline on a leash. A week later I got a call telling me that 87% of my neighbors want to put Phil Kline on a leash. Who knew?
November 5, 2006 at 7:06 p.m.
ms_canada (anonymous) says…

I think that Laura Bush would not dare make a live phone call, unless of course she is totally deluded about that eejit she is married to. I hate those recorded calls, but I usually listen to them. I mean, after all, I need the facts, don't I?
November 5, 2006 at 7:48 p.m.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…

sue, if I'm ever home long enough to get a call I will try that :):)

RI, your lucky they didn't pay you a visit!

Just talked with the matriarch in the Lone Star state, and she had an exciting tidbit of news for me . . . seems she got a telephone call from Bill Clinton regarding the governor's race . . . Mother said although it was a recording she really enjoyed it because how often does someone even get a recording from a president . . . (can you feel my pain???)) So you see, there is a segment of the population that respond to the calls.
November 5, 2006 at 7:59 p.m.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…

I_P,

I thought the country music awards were in springish time?
November 5, 2006 at 9:49 p.m.
OTSSweeper (anonymous) says…

Pagan & wicca - for grown-ups? You make me laugh so hard!

Don't you know that those of us from Mars posess the real power!
November 6, 2006 at 1:26 a.m.
badger (anonymous) says…

Yeah, I was at CMA. It was a blast!
November 6, 2006 at 2:59 p.m.