by Brody Mullins on February 4, 2008 - Wall Street Journal
The statements below are from a Wall Street Journal article regarding ccAdvertising's work with Common Sense Issues on behalf of Mike Huckabee.
Colorado Springs, Colorado - "Election results from Florida were still rolling in last Tuesday evening w hen Patrick Davis began plotting to help his candidate, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, in tomorrow's slate of Super Tuesday contests. He checked campaign finances, analyzed polls and edited phone-call scripts to solicit votes and bash opponents.""Trust Huckabee was formed by an organization called Common Sense that was originally underwritten in part by Carl Lindner, the chairman of American Financial Group Inc., and some former executives at Procter & Gamble Co. It restarted last year as a national organization and is now run by Mr. Davis. Trust Huckabee was behind one of the most controversial campaign gambits so far this election cycle: automated phone calls"
"Using voice-recognition software, the calls ask voters to indicate their favorite candidates. If they support Mr. Huckabee, they are reminded to vote and asked to volunteer. If they choose other candidates, they hear a negative message. "Does knowing that Sen. John McCain has refused to support a federal marriage amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman make it less likely for you to support him?" asks one call."
"It's their First Amendment right to campaign, says Mr. Davis. He defends the group's phone messages as just "like a television ad on a telephone call." The calls 'provide information about your opponent and give positive information about your candidate.'"
Mr. Davis hopes to help Mr. Huckabee win Super Tuesday states where he has high poll numbers and a natural constituency of social conservatives. The automated phone calls remain the foundation of the campaign."
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