Rumler statement on organized phone smear campaign
On the heels of the attempt to falsly spread a story about Rumler campaign signs being non-union, apparently there is now an organized phone campaign which seeks to spread lies and misrepresent the views of Jacobs opponents.
From the press release on the Rumler campaign site:
ROCK ISLAND – Paul Rumler (D-Rock Island) released the following information today regarding misleading phone calls received by residents throughout the 36th Legislative District.
Over the past week, residents have been contacted by callers spreading false information about Paul Rumler and his stance on abortion. Some of the phone calls indicated that Mike Jacobs was the only pro-choice candidate for State Senate. The caller then stated that Paul Rumler was pro-life and wanted to criminalize and prosecute those who have abortions. During one phone call, a potential voter was even asked if she wanted a Mike Jacobs yard sign. The caller does not reveal their identity and uses an untraceable 800 number (800-007-0007).
It is important to note that Paul Rumler supports reproductive choice and has not made statements to the contrary. “I fully respect a woman's and a family's ability to make their own reproductive health decisions, including whether to have an abortion,” stated Paul Rumler. “These calls are completely baseless. I will not be intimidated by attempts to defame my character and slander my candidacy for State Senate. More importantly, I will not allow voters to be misled by people who are purposefully spreading false information and blatantly lying about the issues. Over the next few weeks, I have faith that voters will see through any more desperate attempts to distort the issues.”
According to telephone companies, the 800 number that appears on caller ID is a false “front” number used to make it nearly impossible to trace the identity of the caller. “Some may say this is just an expected part of a political campaign, but I believe this dirty tactic has become all too common and actively disengages voters from the democratic process,” explained Paul Rumler. “I will stand up for myself and the residents of my district to fight these unscrupulous attacks. When an injustice occurs, I will speak out.” Should a resident receive a questionable phone call, they should hang up the original call and then dial *57, which could possibly allow the phone company to trace the call. Legitimate 800 numbers begin with a number ranging from 2-9 following the 800 prefix.
Paul Rumler is the only candidate in the race for the 36th Senate seat to have signed Illinois’ Code of Fair Campaign Practices, in which he agreed to conduct himself and his campaign in accordance to the principles of “decency, honesty and fair play in order to encourage healthy competition and open discussion of issues and candidate qualifications and discourage practices that cloud issues or unfairly attack an opponent.” “I will uphold my commitment,” stated Paul Rumler. “Residents deserve better.”
Paul Rumler is a Democratic candidate for State Senate in Illinois’ 36th Legislative District, which includes all of Rock Island County and parts of Carroll, Henry, Mercer and Whiteside counties.
posted by The Inside Dope @ 3/06/2006
45 comments
45 Comments:
Maybe the organisation making these calls don't know the views of Rumler. Maybe he didn't fill out the paperwork from the organization. His views are not known. Maybe he should be more open and honest as to where he stands on the issues. Have you seen his web site. The most generic thing I or jbc has ever seen. Nowehere has it been shown his stance on tough issues on his site.
anon 9:27
Maybe your one of the people that are making these phone calls? So what your saying is that if anyone doesn't publically make their views known then that gives the right for someone to make things up. Lets face the facts, why would abortion be a front running topic in this election. Do you honestly think that a senator from the 36th district in IL is going to change the law on this? I haven't seen anything about Jacobs publically supporting a cure for AIDS. I guess that gives me the right to start calling people and telling them that Jacobs is in favor of people having AIDS. As a matter of fact I haven't seen anything were Jacobs support breathing. "Hey everybody Jacobs is against you breathing!" Your comments have once again displayed the maturity level of the Jacobs camp.
Now you are doing what you say Jacobs is doing. Saying he isn't for fair campaigns because he didn't sign some form that Rumler has. WHat next, Jacobs is against breathing. You people need a life.
and what the hell are Jacobs stances? he doesn't have a website - doesn't have lit - where does he stand?
Youngdem, the caller was using a fake 800 number, and offered a Jacobs yard sign, Mike knew about it, and probably directed it. If the police can trace it back to a phone bank for Jacobs, this election will be over before it starts.
Let me get this straight, you're telling me that Rumler's site is generic? What about Jacobs site? Nothing on there, at all.
That's a real problem with Jacobs, he acts like everyone knows who he is, and what he's about, but they don't. Ask a sample of people what Mike Jacobs feelings are about abortion, or religion in government, or gay marriage. I guarantee they won't know his stance, because nobody knows. H*ll Jacobs himself probably hasn't even thoroughly thought out his position on these issues. He hasn't had to. And he won't have to if he can continue to circumvent the democratic process by avoiding a debate.
Jacobs didn't sign the Fair Campaign Practices contract? What a surprise.
It's an organization making the phone calls (they identifiy themselves), not a politician.
anon 9:27 and youngdem503:
Give me a break! Jacobs and his gang get called out on typical Jacobs dirty tricks and now you guys try to paint Jacobs with a halo? What a joke!
Honor and integrity. Ever hear of those words, Jacobs? Do you even care? Is winning an election worth not living with a moral and ethical code?
Anon 13:41, I received a call, and they certainly didn't identify themselves as any organization, in fact, the guy gut flustered and hung up on me when I got him off of his script.
The question is this:
Who has the means and the motive to pull such a scam?
The Answer:
Mike Jacobs and "friends".
Why would some third party bash Rumler on a LIE. Dirty politics is about pointing out negatives in your opponents, this is beyond that. It is making up negatives about your opponent and spreading them around as truth.
Mike, I hope your fan is on, because here comes the sh*t.
YoungDem, your loyalty to Jacobs is admirable, but your attempt to twist this beyond recognition in order to shift blame away from his campaign and his supporters is worthy of some sort of award.
It's just amazing the wild Dr. Seuss-like tales you concoct, the sheer lengths that you go to in order to imagine some far-out scenario in which this isn't clearly Jacobs fault, but, making the leap into la la land, suggesting it was actually Rumler!
I can only wonder what your theory of the Kennedy assasination must be.
Give it a break. Face the disillusionment of realizing your guy plays really dirty, and move on.
But you've got a great career ahead of you in fiction writing. Look into it.
youngdem,
Let's see...lies, deceit, slander, vicious hate filled attacks...yep, Jacobs sure shows good morals and ethics!
What a great role model!
This has got to be pretty hard on Mike....I imagine he's trying to relieve the stress with some more "research."
Means and Motive. Check, and check. Mikey for both. When it comes to the booth though, Mikey doesn't get my check.
Hey, speaking of checks, check out who has been giving the Big Appointed Senator money. It's a laundry list of big business; that type of donation leads to voting for self interest, rather than voting for the community.
Yeah, and the moon landing was all staged in a studio in Hollywood.
Rumler would have ZERO motivation to spend money or stage such a crazy stunt. It's simply beyond the realm of belief for all but apparently yourself.
Anon 14:38, because you received a call and many of us did not, can you go into detail about what all was said? More importantly, did you hear Jacobs in the background talking about his size 12 boot? Also, Dope since you do know (sarcasm) everything, is it even possible for a home phone number to show upon a caller ID as an 800 number? I remember *67 will make a number show up as unknown, but does not change the original phone number to an 800 number. So could this survey call be run by a telemarketing business or do you think this is privately ran by the Jacobs campaign, or according to Anon 14:38, Rosa Parks himself?
My opinion, AS OF THIS MOMENT, and subject to change as more info appears, is that I don't really know who is responsible for these calls.
One crazy suggestion that can safely be ruled out is that Rumler is behind it.
I also feel safe in assuming that it's someone trying to help Jacobs, if not the campaign itself.
But with Pat O'Brien involved, I have a hard time thinking he'd sign off on anything like that. If it was done by the Jacobs, I don't think Pat knew about it.
Now if these were calls noting that Rumler supports a woman's right to choose and is pro-choice, in other words, if they were trying to turn voters against him because of his pro-life stance, then I may have kept the possibility open that it was just some whacko anti-abortion group doing this independently.
But since that isn't the case, then the line of probably blame has to return to the Jacobs camp.
But I don't get the logic behind picking THIS issue to try to harm Rumler. In many ways it makes no sense. There's not a lot of rabid pro-choice voters around, and it could easily cut both ways.
Is it beneath the Jacobs camp to do something like this? Sadly, I've found out in a big way that it is not. I truly wonder if anything is beneath them when it comes to what they're willing to stoop to. Honesty and integrity are not words that come to mind when you think of this bunch.
Patterns and practices. When they've engaged in non-stop smears and lies here since Mike was appointed, a rational person has to take that into account when judging something like this. The benefit of the doubt does NOT go to Jacobs on dirty campaigning.
Other that that, absent more facts or information, I can't say with any certainty who was responsible for these calls.
I suspect it was Jacobs or someone trying to "help" him, and would not be surprised if he knew about it, but beyond that, I simply don't know.
Perhaps more will come out on this.
Dope, I know you, and many others think that Pat O'brian wouldn't stoop to this level, but, it’s business. POB is hoping that Jacobs can win, eventually take over Lane's spot, and gift the position of Senator to him. This sort of hand-me-down politics creates far too many backroom deals. Do not underestimate what people will do in the name of politics.
No third party would have this much interest in this race. It was from the Jacobs camp. They had scripts, they had yard signs, they covered their tracks well enough (for now) with the fake 800 number that takes a little work to get. Jacobs is the only person who would have motive to do such a thing. Maybe Pat didn't know about it, or maybe Pat figured that nobody else would find out, but Rumler is fighting back. This scandal will not hurt Pat that much, he will be able to distance himself from it, and people will forgive because of his good rep. He might even be mayor soon.
There is no doubt in my mind who was behind those phone calls, nobody else makes sense. If the police can trace them back to a block of phones utilized by Jacobs, it will be all over but the shouting, if it's not already.
.
I received a call, and I know of 5 others who personally received one. Three of whom never made it past the first question (because they either didn't want to take the survey, or said they were pro-life).
Now, I'm one person, plus 5 people I know equals 6. That's kind of a lot considering the sample size of me and my friends. Now, assuming that they used some sort of old voter list, it's very possible that they called nearly all registered voters. I invite people to check their caller ID cache for the 800 number. I know they called my house twice before finally reaching me, so it was a pretty extensive effort. Definitely the work of a group, with a script, and a bank of several phones.
YoungDem.
Someday, when you're not young anymore, you'll realize that when something walks like a duck, looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, sometimes it's foolish to argue strenuously that it's not a duck.
I note with a certain degree of amusement that a commenter has written several rants condemning Rumler's website because he's only posted three statements there. He mocks and jeers him for not having more policy information there and mocks and jeers him for not being internet savvy.
I too share some frustration at the lack of information as to where Rumler stands on many issues.
But to spend time writing in hateful jeering slams against one candidate for what they have up on their website, when the other candidate has NO WEBSITE AT ALL is really hilarious, not to mention none too bright.
Rumler may have only three statements on his site, but it's three more than Jacobs has.
Hilarious. These people just don't make it a practice to think much before they spew their venom. Nor do they seem to be familiar with the concept of balance.
Ah well. All it means is that their comments don't get posted.
Think before you comment. It's the law.
Dope, let's face the facts. Nobody knows where Jacobs stands on anything other than Carp, Trains, 8 dollar whiskey's, and casino's.
Rumler's website offers me infinitely more insight into his thoughts and ideas than Jacobs rambling quotes in the press.
If Rosa Parks name appears on the ballot, I'll push it, but if not...
Youngdem
First off I would like to personally thank you for the amusement you have provided over the past few minutes I have spent reading these post. I also congratulate you in your attempt to not portray yourself as a die hard Jacobs fan. Your comment about the ability to sway your vote almost had someone fooled for a second. After reading all your post I get this visual image of you waiting outside of Jacobs events all decked out with the face paint while jumping up and down with a Jacobs for state senate sign in hand. Maybe that is the case and maybe it isn’t but here are some facts that you so desire. As you can see from previous post there are people who have and are coming forward stating they have received the phone call which slanders Rumler. I personally know of three individuals who have received these phone calls. They plan on getting in contact with Rumler to provide a written statement. I’m not even sure if they are Rumler supporters but rather people who are tired of the crooked ways of politicians. I’m sure this strategy might have seemed like a good idea at the time but defamation of character is not something to be taken lightly. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this end up in a civil case. To suggest that these phone calls are from the Rumler camp is extremely comical to me. Do you think anyone with any common sense is going to buy into the notion that Rumler is using some sort of reverse psychology tactic? Anyways thanks for the laughs, you have truly made this a better day.
Ned
Are you OK! Alittle early for drink. Who is Rumler going to file suite against. The Whatis he talkingabout. Is he so nieve to think that these calls came from Jacobs. Doesn't he know anything about polotics. I thought the whip would have given him better tutelage than this. A Hint as to who I think is doing this I don't know for sure but it makes sence. Is it the right to life group?
Hey JP or Youngdem503 - which if you are over the age of 40 - you are not youngdem503 - so you might want to change your name.
that isn't the point - you claim that people posting about these phone calls are "baseless" but don't you think someone calling voters in the district asking where they stand on abortion - then make up where Rumler stands isn't baseless? and how can they not be tied to Jacobs when - the person making the phone calls asked a voter if she wants a MIKE JACOBS YARD SIGN - doesn't give it away? I dont' know what does.
Paul you better get ready. If you think it is bad now. Just you wait till next week. Get some backbone young man.
You all are missing the big picture. The trend in politics, the past cycles, is for third party groups to come in from the outside. This phone campaign isn't from the Jacobs or Rumler campaign, it's likely from an outside special interest group.
Come on, folks, get a grip. Accusing one campaign or the other shows utter immaturity on your part. What you ought be do doing is finding out what out of state group is doing these calls. Folks, you need to cool down on this blog. There is so much smash mouth, trash talk without facts.
Pathetic.
Is there any "real" poster that doesn't think that Jacobs is responsible for these calls? By "real" I mean NOT Mike, JP, any other family, and the other zombies that can't spell.
No other argument makes sense. Youngdem503, if your vote truly hinges on this smear, you should try this logic on for size:
First of all, this is a state Senate race, not a presidential race. A right to life group would take absolutely NO interest in this race. Furthermore, if they did, they would realize that Rumler and Jacobs have the same stance on abortion. Why would they choose sides when both candidates are pro-choice?
The crazy notion that Rumler actually made these calls to make himself look better makes even less sense. First of all, he doesn't have the money to have this done. Secondly, reverse psychology doesn't exactly work when used to influence an entire population. Finally, why would he risk something like that knowing that the call could be traced back to him?
The ONLY suspect in this case is Mike Jacobs and his organization "Friends of Mike Jacobs". He is the ONLY person that benefits from the defamation of Rumler's character. He is the ONLY person with the means to do such a thing (an individual wouldn't have the capacity to make so many calls, a phone bank would be necessary). He is the ONLY person who didn't sign the fair practices contract. He is the ONLY person who has proven time and time again to have the lack of conscience to pull such a stunt off.
All other speculation is simply Jacob trying to hide the fire with the smoke.
Good luck with that junior. This is not the case. Jacobs had nothing to do with this. Look at the D2 when they come out. You people are scandelous. The real press handled it the way it should be handled.
Youngdem503,
"Come on Folks" has made a clear and valid point; however, I'll wait and see who this is going to trace back to. Rumor has it that Al Sharpton is to blame, but that was just FOX's speculation on the 9 o'clock news with the 4 ugly news anchors.
Youngdem503, I can't verify anyone's identity here, nor could I if I wanted to.
But having read thousands of comments, I tend to have a good idea sometimes, and your style is a bit different from the typically ultra-phony, very bizarre stuff I've come to associate with them.
They never bother trying to actually argue a point using evidence or logic, no matter how erroneous, for one thing, while you actually show signs of actual thought.
They just make stuff up, throw it out there, and then run.
Sort of like punk kid vandals, really.
Youngdem, if you are indeed not related, and your vote is indeed still in doubt, I ask you to really research, and see who represents you the most accurately.
If you really are a "young" dem, than you'll realize that a lot of young folks are leaning towards being GOP's. They need someone they can identify with in the Democratic Party. I think that someone that came from modest beginnings, and worked for everything they have strikes a chord with most from this area. Rumler's parents are everyday people, his mother a teacher I believe. Not very many of us are blessed enough to have a Senator for a father, and have jobs handed to us (including the job with Jesse White).
Rumler is someone that I can relate to. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I've had to earn all the jobs I've ever held. If we want to engage the young voters, and keep our area democratic, we owe it to ourselves to elect officials that invigorate the youth.
From what I can gather from Jacobs quotes in the Dispatch today, he isn't all that crazy about being a Senator anyway. He points to burdening his family, and being on the road a lot. It takes a lot of dedication to be a Senator, and if Mike isn't willing to put in long hours, than maybe civil service isn't right for him.
Just 2 cents from a gal like me.
I grew up with the Jacobs kids and not one of them was born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Denny was just another working slug in the neightborhood and the Jacobs' were known for their good looking daughters. Mike is the only one in politics. The rest of them are people with every day jobs like you and me.
Um... unless you count J.P. who is and has been Mike's chief campaign aide. I think you insulted J.P. by leaving that out. But of course, you had a point to make and didn't want the facts to get in the way, as usual.
Pamela, I thought that Pat O'Brien was Mike Jacobs chief Campaign director? You misspoke here I believe......
Pat O'Brien is Mike Jacobs campaign manager and has been doing a great job! The yard signs are up, the voters are being contacted, etc. Quietly, he's doing well.
OK, it's time for the Jacobs attackers to do a major, `Whoops, I'm sorry.' This was a third party group coming in from the outside, not the Jacobs campaign.
You folks are either naive or way out of touch with campaigns. Not sure which it is.
Apologize for pointing out the facts? I don't see why. Rumler pointed out what was going on.
Who's politically naive here? Do you REALLY think that Rumler, upon hearing that there was a massive phone campaign going on which MISREPRESENTED his views on choice, should just say, "Oh, that's some silly third party group... I'll just ignore it."
You, my friend, must be naive and out of touch with campaigns.
You backing a dead horse shows who is naive
...and you jumping on the bandwagon and supporting someone just becuase you think they'll win shows what a hopeless cynic you must be.
If you truly feel that way, then you must have voted straight Republican the last few times. After all, they controled all three branches of government. You wouldn't want to be naive and vote fot the "losers", now, would you?
Sheesh... just ridiculous.
I think it is unfair of you to write that Mike Jacobs didn't sign the code of fair campaign Practices. They only sent a letter. He not signing it doesn't mean that he isn't for it. It is unfair of you to say because he didn't sign means that he didn't mean to. This is the pot calling the kettle black.
Anon above...
Nice try, but again,you're argument gets thrown out for a fatal error.
First of all, it's perfectly fair to WRITE that Jacobs didn't sign the Code of Fair Campaign Practices, because that's a fact.
It would be unfair if someone wrote that he doesn't believe in fair campaigning though. Do you see the difference?
What this group did wasn't simply to report that Rumler didn't sign the questionaire.
They spent TWENTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS to phone thousands of voters and tell them something which isn't true (sometimes called a "LIE") by saying that Rumler wasn't pro-choice.
They didn't inform these voters that Rumler hadn't returned their questionaire, they MISTATED the candidates position on this issue.
There's a difference there, can ya see it yet?
Since you think the pot's calling the kettle black, let's use your example.
What if a good government group had come in and done $27,000 worth of phone calls to voters telling each one of them that Jacobs is in favor of dirty campaigning?
Would you like that? If that actually happened and Jacobs complained, would you then think he was crying and being a baby?
Because that's exactly what happened here.
This Personal PAC didn't tell the people they called that Rumler hadn't returned the questionairre (like Jacobs not signing the Fair Campaign Code), they took it upon themselve to tell the voters that Rumler was anti-choice simply because he hadn't returned the questionaire! (Exactly like someone calling thousands of people and saying Jacobs was in favor of dirty, slimy campaigns simply because he hadn't signed the Fair Campaign Code Pledge)
Hope that clears things up for ya.
Dope. Why dont you ask him why he didn't fill this particular questionair in? I am realy anxious to hear. I would consider Jacobs a baby if this was the case. Like Jacobs not signing Rumler didn't either. Those are the chances we take.
You're free to ask him too... you're a grown up and you apparently care about the answer.
FYI dope, the honest campaign thing doesn't arrive as a survey, it's more simple than that. It is presented to the candidate at the time they turn in their signatures in Springfield. They have the option to sign it, or not.
Anon above... thanks for that important information.
I was already baffled as to why Jacobs would refuse to sign such a thing anyway, now I'm even more amazed. He must truly not believe in clean, honest campaigns.
Post a Comment
<< Home