NotionsCapital’s editor pays monthly rates for line-land telephone service. Why? So DC Council candidate Michael Brown can send him automated phone messages two or three times a day. Loud, distorted, non-informative recorded “robo-calls.”
What we know about Michael Brown: he is determined to repeatedly invade the domestic privacy of DC voters via telephone. He thinks this will encourage them to vote for him.
We are astounded to learn that “This is Michael Brown!” is actually leading in the polls. This may be another indication that many Washingtonians have cell phones but no land-line phones. Cell phones don’t get robo-calls.
The election on Tuesday, November 4 will fill two At-Large DC Council seats. The other Brown, Kwame (no relation; no robo-calls) is a shoo-in for one.
Running against “This is Michael Brown!” are:
The incumbent, Carol Schwartz, is at a double disadvantage:
1. She is a write-in candidate.
2. Some voters will forget her name is spelled with a “C.”
Note to Councilmember Schwartz: No robo-call spelling lessons, please.
Image by Michael Brown Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com
October 3, 2008 at 11:03 am
Hi,
It is actually not true that having a cell phone will protect you. I have 1000’s of members that complain that campaigns call their cell phones.
Why?
Politicians are exempt from ALL types of calls. There is NO law protecting voters from politicians calling them on their cell phones (like there is for commercial orgs).
How do they get your number?
State registration for voting. If you put your cell number on the voter registration form, that number will be in the state voter database and candidates will then buy that list and use it for robo calls.
Volunteering or contributing to campaigns’. If you give them your cell phone number they will call you on it. AND they will sell your data to other campaigns.
Shaun Dakin
CEO
StopPoliticalCalls.org
October 3, 2008 at 11:30 am
Shaun Dakin:
As I recall, District of Columbia voter registration doesn’t require a phone number, and the ward-level political party clubs I’ve visited recently just collect email addresses. Cell phone-only households in Washington should be pretty safe.
Keep up the good work on the National Political Do Not Contact Registry. During the next election cycle I will definitely ask candidates to take the Do Not Robo Call Pledge.
October 15, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Other than not voting for him, is there a number at which we can call him when we are so moved?
October 16, 2008 at 11:10 am
esthermiriam: Since you ask, Mr. Brown’s campaign office number is 202-629-4240.
He can also be reached at Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP, where he is Managing Director of Government Affairs, by phoning 202.478.7383, faxing 866.885.1873, and emailing mbrown@eapdlaw.com
Hey, did you know he made illegal contributions to Teddy Kennedy’s campaign? Just sayin.’
October 20, 2008 at 8:31 am
I have received at least ten ‘robo-calls’ from Michael Brown, who seems to feel that MY TIME is of no importance.
Well, it is important to me!
I will NEVER EVER vote for any candidate who uses this very offensive tactic.
October 23, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Could not agree more!! I will vote AGAINST Michael Brown precisely because his nonstop calls and flyers make him no better than a stalker. If he is trying to irritate the electorate into voting against him, he’s going about it exactly the right way. No no no Michael Brown.
October 30, 2008 at 8:05 am
Good lord am I tired of Brown’s robo-calls.
October 30, 2008 at 9:17 am
MrMoonPie: Hard to believe, but the calls are getting even worse. Yesterday’s calls were an absurd and insulting audio drama.
The worst part: the guy is way ahead in the polls.
October 31, 2008 at 12:41 pm
After I found this website, I called Michael Brown’s office and asked to be taken off his robo-call list. I received three or four robo calls after that and called again today, practically screaming at the woman to take me off his list. I want to know what is the difference between robo-calling and being a stalker? I can see none.
October 31, 2008 at 4:19 pm
[...] in the Nation’s Capital, ”Robo-Call Candidate” Michael Brown is not content with sending voters automated phone messages two or three times a day. This week the [...]
October 31, 2008 at 4:25 pm
[...] in the Nation’s Capital, ”Robo-Call Candidate” Michael Brown is not content with sending voters automated phone messages two or three times a day. This week the [...]
November 1, 2008 at 10:05 am
[...] the other hand, Safety Girl reports: . . . I called Michael Brown’s office and asked to be taken off his robo-call list. I [...]