Bradley in DC
11-18-2007, 04:36 PM
[n.b. This is despicable, the calls, not the investigation, but we should be prepared for them against the good doctor if his polling improves in the early states.]
http://www.politics1.com/index.htm
NH A.G. INVESTIGATES ANTI-ROMNEY CALLS
ROMNEY - The New Hampshire Attorney General's office has opened a formal investigation into the anti-Mormon calls targeted at Mitt Romney's (R) religious faith. The call scripts invoked numerous references to Mormon religious beliefs. Romney said the message was "un-American." The calls were aimed at voters in both New Hampshire and Iowa. In an interesting twist, the Utah company that was apparently hired to make the calls -- Western Wats -- includes Romney contributors on its payroll. The company's CEO is also reportedly a friend of Romney. A Romney spokesman said it was "preposterous" that Romney's campaign was involved in the calls in an effort to gain backlash sympathy for the candidate. Rival campaigns suggest it would have been insane for any campaign to hire a Utah-based company to make anti-Mormon calls. Meanwhile, the company refuses to name their client, but specifically stated the rumor that the Giuliani campaign paid for the calls was false. John McCain denied any involvement as said he welcomed the AG's investigation. US Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), speaking for the Romney campaign, also praised the AG's office for opening an investigation. The other GOP campaigns also are denying any involvement. New Hampshire law requires the all political advertising -- including phone calls -- to identify who paid for it. The NH calls did not contain any disclaimer as to the funding source. Political professionals believe the calls will ultimately trace back to a "527 group" or individual without direct links to a candidate -- but that doesn't mean a campaign was not involved in planning the calls. Additionally, it would seem unlikely this matter is cleared up before the Iowa and New Hampshire contests in a few weeks.
http://www.politics1.com/index.htm
NH A.G. INVESTIGATES ANTI-ROMNEY CALLS
ROMNEY - The New Hampshire Attorney General's office has opened a formal investigation into the anti-Mormon calls targeted at Mitt Romney's (R) religious faith. The call scripts invoked numerous references to Mormon religious beliefs. Romney said the message was "un-American." The calls were aimed at voters in both New Hampshire and Iowa. In an interesting twist, the Utah company that was apparently hired to make the calls -- Western Wats -- includes Romney contributors on its payroll. The company's CEO is also reportedly a friend of Romney. A Romney spokesman said it was "preposterous" that Romney's campaign was involved in the calls in an effort to gain backlash sympathy for the candidate. Rival campaigns suggest it would have been insane for any campaign to hire a Utah-based company to make anti-Mormon calls. Meanwhile, the company refuses to name their client, but specifically stated the rumor that the Giuliani campaign paid for the calls was false. John McCain denied any involvement as said he welcomed the AG's investigation. US Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), speaking for the Romney campaign, also praised the AG's office for opening an investigation. The other GOP campaigns also are denying any involvement. New Hampshire law requires the all political advertising -- including phone calls -- to identify who paid for it. The NH calls did not contain any disclaimer as to the funding source. Political professionals believe the calls will ultimately trace back to a "527 group" or individual without direct links to a candidate -- but that doesn't mean a campaign was not involved in planning the calls. Additionally, it would seem unlikely this matter is cleared up before the Iowa and New Hampshire contests in a few weeks.