I haven’t received one yet, but have heard from many who have. Salem Republican describes it well here.
Oh yeah, these people are the real conservatives with morals and ethics. Bullshit. And people wonder why I don’t like these types of pseudo-conservatives. They’re scumbags out for themselves and their heros like Cuccinelli.
Truly disgusting, but absolutely predictable from this crowd.
UPDATE: The Star City Harbinger has the audio here.
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May 27th by Loudoun Insider
Give it up.
You sound like a democrat with all this hatemongering…
haha
You should clarify that there is nothing linking Cuccineilli’s campaign to the calls.
i got one of these calls; it was left on my answering machine.
my first thought: whoever your grandpa is, he probably deserved to go to jail.
my 2d thought: when did prosecutors put people in jail? i thought juries or judges did that?
my 3d thought: my husband is a cir. ct. judge. we expect this SH*T from crooks.
VAB, I have a lot more experience with the Cooch Crew in Loudoun County, and this reeks of one particular Cooch fanatic type. Sure, the Cooch campaign will deny having anything to do with it, but this is the Cooch Crew M.O.
Are you going to put up a post above me every time I take on the Coochies?
This is typical of these so-called “Christian conservatives” out here in this neck of the woods. There’s nothing moral or ethical about them – it’s all about winning at any and all costs.
As I put in my post, I do not believe the actual Cuccinelli campaign is behind this. Those guys are too smart and this call is almost certain to backfire (and lead to a criminal prosecution).
That’s why I didn’t say “Cuccinelli had nothing to do with it”, I said there’s nothing linking him to it.
And we posted six minutes apart; when I went to log in to post mine, you hadn’t put yours up yet. Plus, I let the two in a row (including the paranoid video) go by without anything.
Of course it wouldn’t be part of the Cuccinelli campaign proper, but this is the handiwork of those in his inner circle – guaranteed. It’s how that clique operates.
Sorry I got a little testy there, VAB!
I’m hoping someone saved this on audio and can send it to me to post. From what I’ve heard it has a child crying about how mean old John Bronwlee sent her grandpa to jail. I guess we can expect Cooch to not want to prosecute or jail anyone? Criminals have families too, right?
LI – I know I’m new to the scene but I STRONGLY caution against these type of accusations until more evidence is had.
I got the call. Kinda weird. Child gave a website numerous times, but I didn’t write it down.
Did anyone? Did anyone check it out?
Is this the homeschooling family Brownlee went after on some land issue? If so, while the call is weird, I think they’ve got a legit beef. Pretty thug stuff from the dear Prosecutor.
Ciao.
LI – A Brownlee supporter cut me off in traffic and then gave me the finger. If that’s the kind of campaign Brownlee wants to run, well, clearly we Republicans are in trouble if he’s our nominee.
Wait, it doesn’t work that way? Oh. Well then…
Ben Tribbett hit Brownlee a couple times this month. Clearly he’s in the bag for Cuccinelli, too! Oh, wait, he isn’t? Damn, strike two…
Was the call juvenile? Yes. But to pin this on Cuccinelli and say he’s terrible for it happening is completely inaccurate and does nothing but hurt your argument and cause. You can single the call out as being terrible without making the leap to saying it’s outta Cuccinelli’s “inner-circle”.
Of the two men, Brownlee and Cuccinelli, only ONE has gone above and beyond in attacking the other’s record and vilifying him. Only one man’s supporters have gone overboard in trying to tear down the other side’s supporters and base.
Why does Reagan’s 11th commandment only apply when your side is taking heat?
Jason hit the nail squarely on the head.
I got the call, I hope someone goes to jail for it. Someone will have missed the call LI, and it will be on their voicemail, they’ll be able to send it to you. I thought it was my daughter calling from school hurt! There is nothing funny about it, there is nothing to gain from it.
I hope whoever is responsible for it gets charged, unexcusable.
Oh yeah, Kooch is innocent Jason, I’m sure, keep trying to convince anyone that he has run a clean campaign, give me a break, here is just another example.
Jason and Ryan are either in the bag…or they deliberately overlook the fact that it was Cooch who brought the Ron Paulbots to the 10th District convention and the RPV Convention that nominated Frederick.
This was , therefore, not an actual representation of the “real” republicans, but a hijack by the libertarians on our Republican Party…which they decided to leave because they didn’t like the way we were headed.\
I want them to excel at whatever they want, but I want them to do it within their own damned party…and leave mine alone.
That’s the Cooch thumbprint on the whole robocall….he rallied them to the two conventions and they gladly obliged.
Jp in VA … you’ve always hear…
Desperate times call for desperate acts.
Cooch is calling in the nuclear option.
Monk, your right, smells like desperation, even sounded desperate…
JP – What example? An overzealous activist made an illegal robocall based on a website that was made independent of any campaign. To tie it to Cuccinelli without any evidence shows how desperate you are to find something to win with, no matter what the costs.
TBM – The big tent works all ways. The Republican Party is the Party of Tom Davis AND Ron Paul and their supporters respectively. Frederick won on the coattails of a narrow Marshall loss, not because of some conspiracy by the side you don’t like to dominate things.
Try fighting on the facts, guys, not speculation.
Jason, regardless of who was behind it, these kinds of calls benefit Cuccinelli. Hopefully he will make a statement disavowing them and tell his supporters to back down. Likewise with that website, especially since I have only seen it being used by Democrats.
We got the call too. How did the “overzealous advocate” get my unlisted number? I thought only the campaigns had access to it.
If a candidate had to step out and disavow every little thing that attacked their opponent they’d spend all their time apologize for stuff they have no responsibility for instead of campaigning or representing the folks who elected them.
If a Brownlee supporter cuts me off, flips me the bird and says something uncouth about my mother, does Brownlee need to apologize?
LI – “They’re scumbags out for themselves and their heros like Cuccinelli.
Truly disgusting, but absolutely predictable from this crowd.”
I’m out for the good of the Republican Party and the things for which it stands. If KC doesn’t win, then so be it. I will support the nominee.
However, for you to attack Cuccinelli for things that you can’t prove are even his doing, is wrong. What if someone started making calls like this for Brownlee? Brownlee might have no idea about it, so it would not be his fault.
You pick through the lives of people you don’t like like a hobo through a dumpster at dinner time.
LI’s postings are on par with Muldoon’s daily “countdown” to victory spam.
I Can’t wait to see what we get tomorrow!
HOW THE HECK IS IT ILLEGAL??? ANONYMOUS POLITICAL SPEECH IS THE HEART OF 1ST AMENDMENT (cf Common Sense and Federalist Papers … plus very recent unanimous SCOTUS). You guys are thugs.
Be pissed. Think it is low (btw, why doesn’t someone at least address the question of what it is about???). Think it was weird (I agree!).
But run for the law. You have any idea what you are actually proposing? Prosecuting political speech cuz you don’t like it, and think it shouldn’t have been done.
You are not patriots, you are idiots … or something far worse.
bye
A similar curious robo call brought down Lynn Chapman’s campaign. All in an anonymous attempt to “help”.
First of all, there is no question it is illegal under Virginia law. Make all the Constitutional arguments you want, it’s illegal. Just ask Brian Wishneff in Roanoke.
Second, I have it recorded on a cell phone. Any suggestions how to get it online?
Third, I echo the question above, how did this character get the delegate phone list? I’m a Unit Chair and I was directed to provide my list ONLY to RPV and the campaigns. Either RPV is sharing it or a campaign is sharing it.
I received the call too and am not surprised at all. The dirty tricks started with the exclusion of Brownlee and Foster from nominating petitions despite an agreement to use a uniform petition including all of the AG candidates. Next came the creation of the anti-Brownlee web site and the attempted character assassination. This was followed by polling calls made last weekend during which time some non-Cuccinelli delegates were told that the voting on Saturday would not begin until at least 3:00 p.m. The robo call attack against Brownlee came, of course, today. I have every expectation of seeing something even more outrageous tomorrow, Friday and perhaps even Saturday. This is nothing more than a lunatic zealot campaign and/or its supporters practicing gutter politics at its lowest. I don’t know who’s behind all these things; I guess we’ll never be able to figure it out.
Jason, c’mon. We’re not talking about someone with a bumper sticker. Whoever did this was coordinated enough to get the phone lists, get the ad cut, get the robocall vendor and get the calls made. It cost money.
Both Foster and Cuccinelli should disavow these calls and reign in whoever is doing them – I highly doubt Foster had anything to do with it because he’s never attacked any of the other candidates like that, but in the interests of fairness, I’d say both should disavow it.
The VA law is unconsitutional and a federal court would quickly, very quickly, strike it down should the state be stupid enough to try and prosecute.
And your a thug if you support the state prosecuting this or any other dumb, offensive political speech. One day, you may want to protect your perceived rights without exposing your self or family … and you will be glad.
NRM, the court has upheld a variety of limitations on political speech in order to ensure transparency in elections. Just look at the entire federal system, which has been challenged multiple times and, for the most part, upheld.
Regardless, these calls are a bad idea and whoever is making them is doing more damage to his cause than he is helping it.
“Try fighting on the facts, guys, not speculation”
EXCELLENT ADVICE!!
I sat here night after night pouring thru Ron Paul Meet Up discussions between Mike McHugh and the local state coordinators for Ron Paul. I saw every path of attack, as well as discussions of other options that didn’t come.
Who are you to tell me what I did or did not see night after night back then??
There was most definitely collusion. There was most definitely a Paulbot presence at both conventions. And I support their right to fell any way they want. But they’ve dedicated themselves to Libertarian principles…and have walked away from the Republican Party. I want them to stay out of Republican affairs once they’d elected to leave the Party.
They’re not to come back everytime they want something different. And had they not elected to leave and join the Libertarian Party, they’d still be very much welcomed in the Republican Party. But choices, even rash ones, have consequences.
Let me clarify: CANDIDATES are limited and required to disclose, though this is a highly litigated and changing area of state and especially federal law.
INDIVIDUALS, not acting for campaigns, are neither limited nor required to disclose … and it is A DAMNED GOOD THING when small fry challenge big government and political entities.
ciao
PS. The Paul folks, many/most of them, are here to stay and play … and my guess is, they will multiply.
Not Russ Moulton ….either you’re too $#%^&* stupid to figure out technically misleading terms…or you gladly embrace them.
http://civilities.net/Anonymous_Political_Robocalls
From the site you sent me to, the very last line:
“Fifteen years on, there is no federal law or regulation barring anonymous campaign robocalls, and civic democracy hobbles onwards.”
And even if you were right, if you support the perverted idea that the STATE should regulate and prosecute private speech acts, then YOU ARE A THUG, NOT A PATRIOT.
out
Salem Republican ….record it into a mpeg or other audio file and post it to a website that’ll provide a link. I think photobucket.com is actualy doing audio and short films.
.wav …. NOT .Mpeg
My Bad.
I support the idea that the STATE should regulate and prosecute ABUSE during a CAMPAIGN of ALL speech acts INVOLVING SECURED PHONE LISTS THAT BELONG TO THE RPV/UNIT CHAIRS.
Anything less is empowering THUGS.
Then go after the source of the list, not the end user (unless they are the same). That has nothing to do with the content of the speech which is what you, and all the others, have your panties in a bunch about …
Though my guess is, if someone litigated against keeping voter lists from private individuals (as the state and RPV both do), they might prevail. But maybe not.
And again, why does no one want to even talk about the actual damn charge … whatever it actually is? You can say it sucks, or its false, or its ruined by the weird call … ok. But the silence is, umm, kinda cowardly.
Ciao
I got the call on my voicemail, and recognize the website from one posted on NLS a week or two ago.
I just love how this exemplifies the horrible reporting/research done on behalf of Loudoun Insider on this website. He automatically accuses the Senator’s campaign for the call with absolutely NO evidence to back up his loony assumptions. Then his bigotry against “Christian conservatives” is exemplified with his statement that “there’s nothing moral or ethical about them”.
The unmitigated bias of liberal republicans like LI should be pointed out the next time he and his ilk begin crying about how they want a “big tent” party. Truth be told, they want a bigger tent that includes more liberals and less Christians, Conservatives, Libertarians, and anyone else who disagrees with their vexed liberal ideology.
We already have a political party like this… we call them Democrats, and Brownlee has been voting in their primaries for years!
slow down there, “A Voter”.
let’s make the logical assumption that brownlee’s campaign did not make the robocall. then that leaves us with the assumption that someone not supporting brownlee made the call. cuccinelli supporters would fall into that group (as would foster & a handful of dems recognizing that brownlee is the most electable).
just calm down. if you are a cuccinelli supporter or a foster supporter, you should make every effort to find out who is behind this so that this person can make a public apology so that we can all move forward.
otherwise, this is going to end up helping brownlee.
BM @#13 … Oh, my, what a conspiracy! Cuccinelli and Co. got people to come to the Virginia convention! Shocking!
If the other candidates can’t get their supporters to come out, that’s their problem.
F”YI, we also got the call … it’s awful. But I highly doubt that Cooch or his “inner circle” had anything to do with it. That goes against everything I know about him, i.e., that he’s (a) an upstanding guy and (b) has a brain.
linda, what person or group do you think is responsible for the robocall?
someone supporting foster?
The most important question is how did this scumbag get a hold of the delegate list. Either RPV gave it to him or one of the campaigns did. Neither of those is a good thing.
http://roanokevalleyrepublicans.blogspot.com/2009/05/illegal-robo-calls-who-provided-phone.html
First, I also got the robo-call. It’s a horrible example of last-minute sliming that goes on in campaigns all the time. I can’t wait for the piles of fliers at the convention accusing candidates of all kinds of horrid actions. Like I said before I fully expect to run into LI handing out fliers saying “Ken beats his wife and kids”. Whoever ran this robocall has no place in Republican politics in my opinion and if it can be shown who did it, they should be tarred and feathered!
Now I called the Cuccinelli campaign earlier today to see what they thought about LI’s video slime from last night and they advised me about the robo-call before I even heard it. They stated this robo-call is in no way connected with Ken’s campaign, that it’s apparently an illegal call, and they are sticking to running a positive campaign for AG. There is absolutely NO CONNECTION of this call with Ken Cuccinelli!
Now as for Kelley’s statement below:
“let’s make the logical assumption that brownlee’s campaign did not make the robocall…”
Wrong-O! Anyone could be making these robo-calls, and there is as much logic and evidence to say Brownlee is behind it as Cuccinelli is. Just look at your concluding statement for the evidence.
“…otherwise, this is going to end up helping brownlee.”
So yes, if you can say without any evidence that one campaign did this to smear Brownlee, I can just as logicly and easily say that there’s the possibility that a desperate Brownlee supporter did this in order to cause a back-lash against Cuccinelli! In fact, the person who runs the web-site it refers to may not be involved either. Given the poor quality and stupidity of the call, I would say the back-lash effort of a Brownlee supporter is actually more likely than that it was a Cuccinelli supporter.
As for how they got the delegate list, who knows. These lists have been flying around the internet from campaigns and the RPV and local committees for weeks. It only takes one bad persone to get ahold of them in order to allow this to happen.
Bottom line, none of us have any evidence at all in this to say who is behind it. It could even be Democrats trying to throw confusion into the mix. Cuccinelli’s campaign has disavowed it. Where do the Foster and Brownlee campaigns stand at this point?
Interestingly, the robo call did NOT go to Cooch supporters, only Brownlee supporters and those identifying themselves as “undecideds.” So you tell me it wasn’t from a campaign, sorry, but nobody else has data that tight!
Ken Cuccinelli is the biggest loser politician Ive ever seen. He’s going to lose the AG’s race, either this weekend OR this November AND lose his next Senate race and then yippie, he’ll be gone forever!
Fred (Rtwng Extrmst )- we KNOW you didn’t get the robo, get over yourself.
Tell me this, how is a video cut of a PUBLIC debate in front of hundreds of people of your candidate, video slime? If it is, maybe he should “clean up his act.”
Hello: Ken is his OWN worst enemy, you just admitted it!!
Hello? Dolly!
I most certainly did get a robo-call, and can prove it if necessary. Delegate lists don’t say who the people support. A Voter, another Cuccinelli supporter also got the call. So please correct yourself.
The slime is that LI refuses to post the whole video in context with the question and full answer. He also says it was at a debate, so why not post Brownlee’s and Foster’s answer to the same question? Naww we can’t do that can we, that would only be fair…
Video slime? It’s him in his own words. Get a grip.
I have absolutely no bias against upstanding Christian conservatives who actually walk the walk. My huge problem is with those who talk the talk and act llike scumbags. There are a ton of examples running around in RPV these days, most firmly in the Cuccinelli camp.
Hey LI, check this out!
“Statement From the Cuccinelli Campaign on Robo-Calls
Today, delegates from across Virginia may have received an auto-dialer call attacking one of the candidates for Attorney General. We want delegates to know that these calls did not come from the Cuccinelli campaign nor were they sanctioned by it.
For several months our campaigns have waged an aggressive, yet fair effort that has laid out our different positions and our records for delegates to make an informed decision. Last minute attacks of this nature have no place in the last few days of what will be a fantastic convention experience.
Authorized and Paid for by Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General ”
There you have it! I received that email from the campaign an hour ago. Where are the Brownlee and Foster statements, or are they afraid to make the statement in case someone could eventually prove they did it???? (Note this last sentence is posted with much heavy sarcasm)
RE, that is what someone sent me. I don’t have the rest of it and could care less. It’s short and sweet and shows the true kookiness of Cuccinelli. It’s him in his own words. Feel free to elaborate yourself in explanation. It only makes Cuccinelli look like a crazy militia member.
Actually perhaps LI should take to heart personally this one part of the above release “Last minute attacks of this nature have no place in the last few days of what will be a fantastic convention experience.”
so RWE, you think because the call was so poorly done & stupid that it had to be done by the brownlee campaign?
you’ve gone from insulting the candidate (which is understandable 2 days before the convention) to insulting your fellow Republican delegates. who is stupid now?
“RE, that is what someone sent me. I don’t have the rest of it and could care less. ”
That’s all you need to know about LI… He has no journalistic ethic.
“what will be a fantastic convention experience.”
What a joke! I predict a logistical nightmare and a sweaty boring day long affair that limits the participation of thousands of Republicans across Virginia. Only Cooch people would put out a statement like that.
As far as the statement – just like with his tale about his USMC service we’re just supposed to take his campaign’s word for it. It just may be correct that his campaign didn’t do it or officially sanction it, but I guarantee someone on his team made this happen – that list came from somewhere inside Camp Cuccinelli. I have no proof of that, but it is so typical of the way his ilk operate around here.
RE, I am not a journalist, moron! These are my opinions. There is no context that explains that quote. Sorry to break it to you – it makes him look crazy paranoid.
Kelley,
1. I never said it was done by the Brownlee campaign, only that it was more likely them than Cuccinelli given the lack of evidence and the likely backlash it might cause against Ken.
2. When did I insult the candidate?
3. When did I insult the delegates?
LI, you are completely off your rocker! Your bitterness has driven you to extremes. Unless you have evidence to the opposite, and you receive an official campaign statement, I think you have to believe them. Anything short of that just confirms your hatred and lack of reasoned outlook.
kelley in va … i think it was done by a stupid individual who has his/her own agenda, which may or may not be to support cuccinelli but that doesn’t mean it was cooch or his “inner circle.”
hello dolly … we got the call and we are cooch supporters.
Linda, Joe knows some of the folks that like to do these sleazy robocalls. Maybe he can see if they had anything to do with it. You know, kind of like those last minute BS calls attacking Frank Wolf for Vern “8.5 Percent” McKinley.
The thing thats being ignored is, Is it True? I’ve heard rumors of Brownlee’s overzealousness and this seems to fit.
http://johnlbrownlee.com/news/9/81/Throw-Grandpa-in-Jail/
and “Christian conservatives”?
Are you an athiest?
given the stupidity of the call…..RE. then you said it was more likely to have been a brownlee supporter.
you know RE, i can’t wait to meet you. i am in the lunenburg delegation. i’m the only kelley.
No I am absolutely not an atheist but I am not for a theocracy either. I sense that is what Cuccinelli wants, and frankly it scares the hell out of me and many others. It’s why he won’t win in November.
And that website is a piece of crap put together by a self professed “fan” of Cuccinelli.
PW: the ATF brought this man to the DA’s office. and brownlee prosecuted him. the jury found the guy guilty.
we pay Commonwealth’s Attys & DAs to do this. congrats to brownlee.
My question is how did Brian Gentry obtain the delegates phone number. I called and emailed him. How about everyone do the same. I plan to look into how the numbers got into his hands. The following is public information from whois for his website:
Brian Gentry3019 S Buchanan St. Unit C-1 Arlington, VA 22206
phone 571-242-7500
email brianrgentry@gmail.com
Call or email him today!
wait. the website referred to in the call is a brian gentry website, is that correct? that does not necessarily mean that brian gentry initiated the robocalls.
who is this brian gentry? am i the only one that doesn’t know?
He is the Virginia coordinator for Ron Paul.
Hold up. Lets actually think about this for a minute.
Right now, Cuccinelli most likely has the most support going into the convention. Whether that will turn into a victory, who knows. But his entire game right now is turnout. If he gets his people there, he quite possibly wins on the first ballot and that’s that.
The other campaigns know this, which is why they are furiously battling for second place. The most aggressive campaign over the last week has been Dave Foster’s. Yesterday, most delegates got a “comparison” piece from Foster. The candidate it targeted was obvious: Brownlee. It went after Brownlee hard and largely left Cuccinelli alone. Why? Because Foster’s playing for second place, and knows he not going to get Cuccinelli people–so he’s going after Brownlee’s. Cuccinelli is content to step aside and watch the carnage–and hope that he’s at 50+1 after the first ballot.
So what does all this mean with regard to the robocall? Dave Foster is the candidate with the most reason to do something like this. LI and others are surmising that its Cuccinelli’s campaign, but it doesn’t really make sense. Foster’s the one targeting Brownlee. Now we all have now idea who is really behind it–and I don’t have any more evidence to suggest that Foster’s behind it than LI does to accuse Cuccinelli.
But logically? Foster’s got the most motive. And don’t kid yourself if you think all his supporters are above something like this. The Davis crowd knows how to play ball.
A couple comments. First, I got the robocall and it was pathetic. Poor quality. Seemed like an adult pretending to be a child. Second, that website is a bunch of garbage. Brownlee did a good job prosecuting folks from any and every class and political persuasion. He went after lawbreakers – which is what his job was.
Third, as to the video, it was of comments Cooch made at a debate in James City County on April 9 – my mom was in the audience. She couldn’t believe what Cooch said! It was in response to a question about identity theft/computer crimes, something like that. Brownlee answered like a pro, Foster did the same, then Cooch went off on his no SSN for Maximilian William Wilberforce Cuccinelli whack-O tangent.
Coochies, let’s look at facts. Cooch says he’s the most conservative Senator in Virginia. Fine. That’s all he’s really done professionally, is be a politician. His voting record will NOT be liked by moderates. His lack of military record (or is there some record, of something, somewhere?) won’t help him with military folks. His support for the triggerman loophole means law enforcement won’t trust him. All he is is a strident, loud, look how conservative I am state Senator. He cannot win this thing. But that’s not all bad for you. He really cannot help folks that support him if he could win and become Attorney General!! That’s the ironic thing I think the Coochies are missing. How can the AG help home-schoolers? Home schooling is allowed by law right? Senators can vote to keep that law on the books – not the AG. How can the AG do anything about stopping abortion?? Legislators can try to put restrictions on the practice, but the AG can’t. Property rights? Ditto – the AG can’t pass legislation to help with this. If Cooch has done such a fantastic job as a Senator, then leave him there.
And leave the AG spot to a professional crime fighter that will destroy Shannon in November.
are we sure that cuccinelli is in the lead?
also, when will the AG voting begin?
I’m a Brownlee supporter (stating the obvious), but also have not, and will not accuse KC directly of involvement in this. But, as stated above, Brian Gentry (if a real person) will be the key to this. If he is a “Fan” of KC, then he got access to MY PHONE NUMBER from somebody, and I hardly believe Brownlee is going to provide it to the guy, seeing he runs a website to attack him (even though his attacks are pretty weak for all the money put into the site), so I would say there is “Evidence”, circumstantial as it may be, that it wasn’t Brownlee.
Now, I don’t necessarily think that KC should pay for these calls, politically or otherwise, but if I was a betting man, I’d say someone associated with him, supporter, whatever, should be held accountable.
At the same time, comparing the video clip of KC saying something that actually came out of his mouth, and a bot call with a little girl asking why her Granddaddy went to prison, Apples and Oranges? or am I confused?
I am going to go with KC’s supporters are once again the vocal minority, and the convention just may suprise some people. For whoever said that the Brownlee people aren’t going to show up, keep your eyes open, think we may suprise ya.
Oh yeah, because I think the call bordered on the illegal, really, I’m a thug now???
I’m thinking that Yes it was Fosters Backers, Not Foster personally but the Davis folks.
I think the only person that believes ALL OF THE PEOPLE that signed up for KC are gong to show up. C’mon, they were signing anyone up that could fill out a sheet. Yeah, they signed up a lot of people, and good for them. But that overconfidence that he’s going to get 50 plus 1 on the first vote, don’t buy it, don’t think it will be even close.
And ask someone really inside if they even think KC is in the lead anymore with those that are actually saying they will be there. That is what is leading to this last minute rush, KC knows he’s in trouble. I DON’T THINK HE IS LEADING IN HIS OWN POLLING. But again, I don’t know much, could be wrong, Saturday will be an interesting day.
Wow, tossing it at Foster, how is that any better then blaming KC?
From Dave Foster, received 7 minutes ago:
Statement of Dave Foster on Robocalls to Republican Convention Delegates
” Late today I was shocked and dismayed to receive a computer-generated telephone call from an unidentified source making a scurrilous attack on one of the candidates for the GOP’s Attorney General nomination.
I assure everyone that no one in my own Attorney General campaign has anything to do with these calls, nor do we know who is responsible for generating them.
I detest such tactics in political campaigns. I do not countenance them in my own campaign, and I abhor them in anyone else’s. It’s unfair and destructive of the political process.
I call on anyone having any information about the source of these calls to share it with the Office of the Attorney General.”
I received the following email from Brian Gentry, which says he is responsible for the website, but not the calls. I responded that if that is the case, he should take down the site. We will see:
Tom,
I had nothing to do with those phone calls. I did make the website. But as for the calls, I didn’t know anything about them until I started getting emails today with folks threatening me about some phone call I made, and after checking my voicemail (of which I had about 6), I realized what call they were talking about (I’m a delegate so I also got the call). I don’t hide, so if I were to do robocalls, I would have said something to the tune of “Brian Gentry paid for this. His contact information is online.” Just like I did on my website.
And as for the information, yes it’s correct. If I wanted to keep my information private I would have registered my domain privately. But again, if I’m going to put out information, I’m not going to hide my name and all in secrecy.
And the RPV has all that information. I’m a registered voter in Virginia and a delegate from Arlington at the State Convention on Friday and Saturday.
Hope this clears things up a tad.
Best regards,
Brian R Gentry
Hmmm, thanks Tom, that is very interesting. Have a feeling Mr. Gentry is going to have quite a few emails to respond to, if that is true, bet he didn’t see this coming.
If he takes the site down, I will take him at his word. I tried to call him back, but his phone goes right to VM. Left a message suggesting he take it down and sent an email with the same request. Let’s hope this just goes away. I am looking forward to a good convention. I would rather concentrate on winning in November. Remember – we all have to support the winner. Or at least should. Ugly things like this do nothing to kick Dems out.
Just had a wild thought, what if this isn’t comeing from the Republicans at all. If I was a democrat and I wanted to damage the Republican AG candidate what better way but to have a battle within the Republican party loyalists. If close to half of the delegates leave convention mad at our candidate who wins? SHANNON DOES! How could that happen? All it would take is for a democrat operative to volunteer to do phone calls for any of the campaigns. It doesn’t have to be the AG’s race it could be the race for chairman or LG. They gain access to the list and bingo, the damage begins. I’m not saying this is what happened, just wondering what ya’ll think. Is this possible?
Audio is now online. Listen here.
http://roanokevalleyrepublicans.blogspot.com/2009/05/audio-of-illegal-robo-call.html
We’ve also posted Mr. Gentry’s email to us with his permission.
http://roanokevalleyrepublicans.blogspot.com/2009/05/brian-gentry-speaks-regarding-illegal.html
I like that idea better then thinking one of the campaigns did it Lauren. Still, how would they get the phone numbers? That still came from somebody that shouldn’t have released it. But, that explanation would make everyone calm down I imagine.
The plot thickens. I’ll bet after all this it really was the jailed dude’s six-year-old granddaughter. Now that would be something.
I don’t think Gentry will take his site down, even if he was ignorant of the call. The guy’s gotta be getting more traffic today than he has all year.
Jp, anyone who would volunteer to do calls for a campaign would access to the lists includeing phone #, address and email. I did a little bit of volunteer work for a campaign and had access to at least 10 units lists. I’m sure the campaigns are understaffed and are always looking for folks to help. I wouldn’t take much to sneak in.
True Lauren, but from the sounds of it this call went out on a larger scale then a peak. Have a feeling, don’t know this, but seems to me like someone got the entire list of delegates. I am sure it is a rogue supporter, I don’t doubt that, question is how connected to any campaign this person was, and if connected to a Dem campaign, that would be the best answer for all of us. Otherwise, what in gods name is going on with this party?
I just listened to the call–it was on my voicemail. It was so ridiculous that I can’t possibly think that any one of these campaigns would think it would help them. Well…except for the Brownlee campaign, maybe. I couldn’t even understand it.
Linda B.
See comment #29. I watched it form and come to fruition. By people who had supposedly washed their hands of the Republican Party after Paul gained a mere 9 electorals.
So much for “team players”.
This otta be some party this weekend.
http://virginiavirtucon.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/urgent-republican-state-convention-venue-changed/#comment-42711
When we discuss illegal robo-calls…only one person comes to mind. He’s a repeat offender.
Since the other two Candidates responses are on here, here is the one just released by the Brownlee camp.
“This afternoon, many delegates around the Commonwealth received a deeply disturbing phone call attacking John Brownlee.
The perpetrators of this automated call violated state law by not including a “disclaimer” to announce who paid for and authorized the call.
The call was voiced by a crying child, and included a link to a website that not only attacks John, but attacks John’s wife and his father – a decorated Vietnam veteran.
The child these individuals used to make the phone calls sounded to be under 5 years old. What kind of person uses a toddler to conduct a political smear?
To involve a small child in such a dirty political trick is appalling. To make such scurrilous charges is unethical. To conduct these calls without including a disclaimer is unlawful.
We have received reports of these calls from incensed convention delegates all over the Commonwealth. From these reports, it is almost certain that this call was delivered to the list of 2009 convention delegates (a list that has only been made available to the Republican Party of Virginia and our statewide campaigns). If this is the case, it means that either a campaign is conducting this desperate effort, or a campaign has given the delegate list to a third party to conduct the effort on its behalf. It means the individual or individuals responsible for this attack have almost certainly been in some form of contact with one of the other statewide campaigns.
Our state election laws help protect the integrity of our political process. Enforcement of these laws helps ensure our elections are conducted in an open, transparent manner.
Accordingly, we will ask the appropriate Virginia law enforcement agencies to begin a thorough investigation of this incident.
If we Republicans are to be successful in Virginia statewide elections again, we must stand up against those in our midst who would pollute our politics with cynical, illegal acts. We must declare that the days of political dirty tricks in Virginia are over.”
[...] the “John L. Brownlee” robocall on our machine tonight, my reaction was exactly that of Nova Conservative: It had to come from the Foster campaign because it fits with the argument of the comparison piece [...]
I got that horrible call, on my cell phone, a number that few people have. I was initially frightened as the voice sounded very much like a young friend of our’s, the granddaughter of good friend. She has my cell phone number so I thought something terrible had happened to her grandfather because I couldn’t quite understand what the child was saying. Once I discovered that it wasn’t our young friend, i was simply angry. I am angry that they used a child, and angry that they frightened people like me.
I know families who are very unhappy with some of Brownlee’s prosecutions. Some have money, or they did, prior to their prosecutions. My thought was that some of these families have funded the website and the robo calls.
I have known Ken for a long time, and I honestly do not think that he was behind it. It’s just not in him to do something like this. Nor do I think that Foster campaign would do it.
That leaves me thinking that it was private people with a grudge against Brownlee. But the big question remains, how did they get the phone list? Whoever leaked it, or sold it, should be prosecuted, bigtime. I am one delegate who very much resents this action.
Did I miss something, or did the Brownlee announcement fail to say that they disavow any connection with these robocalls? They say it’s dirty politics, and they say the perp should be prosecuted, but the don’t deny being behind it. Sort of weird don’t you think?
Now LI, after throwing around accusations of “Black Helicopters”, maybe you should look in the mirror when you make statements like this: “No I am absolutely not an atheist but I am not for a theocracy either. I sense that is what Cuccinelli wants, and frankly it scares the hell out of me and many others.”
Trying to link Cuccinelli to a desire for a Theocracy in the United States? Now that’s rather kooky if you ask me.
Thanks to anon also for the following about the video: “It was in response to a question about identity theft/computer crimes, something like that.”
While I wasn’t there either, this is exactly what I suspected about what the comment might be about, and why it would only be fair for LI to post the question, the full answer from Cuccinelli and the answers from Brownlee and Foster. Anything short of this is just smear. SSN’s are a key to criminals trying to “track us” for identity theft. So much of our personal information today is linked to this one number. Why do you think VA went away from using SSN’s on drivers licenses several years ago? There’s nothing sinister or “black helicopter wacko-like” about saying you are concerned about linking identity to an SSN so early in life. It’s a problem given technology today and it’s linked to personal privacy and personal financial issues. Post the whole quote and I’m sure you’ll see it’s a responsible answer.
RE, your kidding?
“Did I miss something, or did the Brownlee announcement fail to say that they disavow any connection with these robocalls? They say it’s dirty politics, and they say the perp should be prosecuted, but the don’t deny being behind it. Sort of weird don’t you think?”
Your all over the place, that doesn’t even make sense. Keep crossing those fingers though that it doesn’t lead back to the wrong people. C’mon. The rest of your comment, fine argument, that statement is just plain dumb.
So NOW they are asking to be prosecuted? This is just getting stupid now, how about we let the investigation figure out who is responsible, and if that isn’t a “conspiracy theory”, I don’t know what is. I think what Brownlee’s response was was the strongest of the three, Foster’s second, and KC’s 3rd, could read into that, but won’t. Again, let whoever is responsible be sought out, then we can begin to comment, instead of just plain foolishness.
Who does the call benefit the most? #1 the Democrats #2 The Brownlee campaign. That is where I would look first.
again, someone please tell me when they think the voting for AG will begin.
I think some people are over thinking this. Occam’s razor. The most likely people engaging in these attacks are Cuccinelli supporters. Foster has already denied any involvement, and he hasn’t run this kind of campaign. Cuccinelli supporters are behind the johnlbrownlee.com site, so it stands to reason that they are behind this as well.
There’s no need for any kind of conspiracy theories about Brownlee doing it against himself – that’s ridiculous.
Here’s a question – of all the people who received these calls, who went to last year’s convention? I haven’t gotten one of these yet, and I think it’s because my phone number changed from last year to this year.
Recieved and email from both the Foster and KC campaigns denying involvement and asking for these message to cease.
I agree on who benefits from these calls – either the D’s or Brownlee. I won’t make the same stupid mistake LI did and try to pin this on the Brownlee campaign with absolutely NO evidence, so I will go with the D’s.
Kelly, Voting is supposed to begin at the convention at noon. Apparently there was some misinformation circulating that it wouldn’t start till 3pm and into the evening possibly, but that is not the case.
Brian, that is an good point. Who from last year would be more than happy to have the Republicans fighting each other. Do I even need to say his name?
Kelly
All the voting (LG, AG, RPV Chair) will occur on a single joint ballot. That is projected to begin around noon unless the Muldoon whackos get their wish in screwing up the rules. AG balloting will then go on from there if necessary.
i didn’t go to convention last year, but got the call.
and if it were the brownlee people, they would have grandchild of someone even scummier portrayed.
thanks for letting me know when the voting will begin. i went on RPV site & they didn’t have it (at least where i looked).
and what was the sen. nolen call about last night? did any of you get that one? cross dressing homosexuals in bathrooms or something?
salem, thanks.
this reminds me of steve agee/jim gilmore AG contest. alot of dirty tricks by gilmore people. and look how well that worked out over 20 years. at least steve is 4th cir ct of appeals judge
Here’s the audio at the Star City Harbinger:
http://starcityharbinger.com/?p=6298
What a joke!
LI: let’s have another AG open thread until SAT a.m. this is fun.
Voting does start at Noon Kelley, but Friday voting will take place reference the Rules, and unless we all want the Conv. to become a circus, people need to be there to keep the rules as is. Would urge everyone that is not Muldoon follower to be there, so that this thing can at the least run smooth, and send McDonnell and Bolling off to a good start, I think we all agree we want that.
kelley, I’ll definitely have more to say on the AG race, much to the chagrin of the Coochies.
Kelley – I did get that robo call last night. As soon as they started talking about trannies I hung up.
LI really has his shorts in a not over this AG’s race. I wonder how he will hold up if Ken wins. Should be fun.
“Did I miss something, or did the Brownlee announcement fail to say that they disavow any connection with these robocalls?”
AND THAT, RWE, is why I do not take anything you say as gospel. That’s just such a low level of stupidity, I cannot fathom how you function in daily endeavors. You, in one fell swoop, show us all justexactly how stupid your approach at misinformation is. That’s why it’s so easy to difuse you and render you harmless. You lack the intellect to play with the big boys.
BPM, You are so far off the mark with your remarks to RWE.
There have been some fairly wild accusations here against the KC campaign, none of which have any evidence to support them. Someone wonders if Brownlee planted this stupid call and you get all up in arms, but that’s ok because he is your guy. I assume Brownlee isn’t so stupid that he finnagled these calls, and I assume the same thing about KC. They are smart men and I give them the benefit of the doubt. Foster as well.
I agree, LI does have his panties in a knot and BPM’s panties aren’t far behind – they are twisted and riding up.
“Kelley – I did get that robo call last night. As soon as they started talking about trannies I hung up.”
Who sent that call? My daughter picked up the phone and heard that message.
I just have to applaud LI’s use of the adjective “shanky” in the title to the blog.
What a great word! I’m not commenting whatsoever in LI’s attempt to link the calls to Cooch, but I have added shanky to my vocabulary. Thanks, LI!
RE, I have no idea, but it was one of the more annoying calls we’ve gotten here. And since I’ve been on the mailing lists for about three years now, that’s saying a lot.
It is my hope some of the Dick Tracy’s here will do a little honest research.
It is amazing what happens when you mix misinformation and those with a horrible case of the ass.
Get a grip, put your Cooch Voodoo dolls away and act like like rational grown ups. This passed silly a long time ago.
PS: KC4AG……. KC4AG !!!
Why is everyone so intent on prosecuting someone for anonymous speech? That’s the core of the Free Speech rights inherent in the 1st Amendment.
We’d still be under British rule if it wasn’t for the anonymous pamphleteers that led us into the American Revolution. Today instead of pamphlets we have websites and caller ID blocker.
Those calling for prosecutions would have demanded the British lock up Thomas Paine for anonymous criticisms too… that’s not American, it’s tyrannical!
Lauren, I’ll be just fine if Cooch wins the nomination. But the RPV ticket will not be just fine. I’ll just have to say “I told you so” in November.
anon, it’s “skanky” not “shanky”. I’m not sure what that last one could mean – I guess it’s prison terminology since a “shank” is a homemade knife in prison. These calls were most definitely skanky, however.
Methinks Loudoun Lady’s head will explode when the votes are tallied on Saturday. Foster can still figure this out and lend his delegates to Brownlee for the 50+1.
Ric James nicely dissects the latest anti-Brownlee smear job:
http://www.hoodathunkblog.com/2009/05/analysis-of-a-smear-job-anti-brownlee-robo-call-unethical-illegal-and-invalid/
I just hope to God that Rtwng Extrmst is not Ken Cuccinelli for I would hate to think that someone with that mentality would run for such a high office.
Heheh… I just love pulling LI’s chain…
Sorry Dot, I’m still not Ken. You think he has time to Blog these last few days???
Amit S … because of the contact list that’s used, and the security that’s maintained in keeping it out of the wrong hands.
This was leaked by a campaign. Which one we ain’t sure yet…but we will.
And as for anonymity …will you please talk to our good friend James the Younger and explain it to him?
Word I got tonight setting up at the coliseum is there is a pretty good chance that Brian Gentry will be refused entry. He’s the one with the website. This thing is being investigated very seriously.
So what happens if you find out your official nominee is the culprit? Are you going to slap him on the wrist and say don’t do it again? Ya going to reconvene and pull his papers? Aren’t these last minute anonymous dirty tricks getting a bit bothersome? Is that what Lincoln or Reagan would do? Pitiful party this.
OH, well I misread the title! No worries, I like “shanky” better than “skanky”. A shank is an illegal weapon, used in a sneaky way, to cripple or kill your adversary. Perfect adjective for these robocalls!
Tom @#121 … that is kind of disturbing since Gentry has denied having anything to do with the calls. Unless someone has proof that he is involved, excluding him because of his site seems to me to be a major violation of the First Amendment.
>>>of all the people who received these calls, who went to last year’s convention? I haven’t gotten one of these yet, and I think it’s because my phone number changed from last year to this year.<<<
I’m a new delegate, so it’s a new phone number. I got the call.
>>>what was the sen. nolen call about last night? did any of you get that one? <<<
Yes, I got it and I’ve never heard of Senator Nolen. So why is he robo calling me with this silly message about gays and cross dressers?
Does becoming a delegate mean that everyone in the state of Virginia now has my phone number? If so, I regret my decision.
I agree with Anonymous. I’m frankly really disgusted with how RPV handles conventions and with how delegates’ contact info gets out, which I see as their failing to protect our privacy. I gather they gave out my unpublished phone number to all the candidates… and apparently, either a campaign sent that crazy grampa in jail call our sneakily or they leaked our phone numbers to whomever did do it with a wink, wink. Right?
Now who has to gain from leaking and the crazy call? Cucinelli or Foster, right? Somehow, I don’t see this as the trick I’d expect from Foster’s camp. He’s not exactly attracting the fanatics who have nothing to think about all day long but politics.
Although I doubt either campaign actually authorized this, I still wonder: how did this robocaller get our number? Eh? HOW? Who gave it?
If grandpa went to jail, I’m sure his wrinkled old #ss deserved it!
I think I had a nightmare last night with that creepy kid saying “Grandpa” over and over again!
Conventions are complete BS and must be done away with if this party ever wants to get out of the cellar. Primaries would be so much better and more inclusive. But of course to some, that is exactly the opposite of what they want to see.
Yeah, if that was really a kid (I have my doubts), they could do voice overs for horror flicks!!!