Oct 27, 2008 9:34 pm US/Pacific
Risqué Robo-Call Catches Voters Off Guard
NAPA COUNTY (CBS13) ―
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The racy phone call sparked criticism from Thompson's campaign and drew confused looks from people who heard it.
CBS/AP
A local congressional contest took a racy turn when an "enthusiastic" staffer recorded a robo-call that attracted an unusual amount of attention.
The robo-call went out on behalf of Republican challenger Zane Starkewolf starting Sunday, but was pulled by Monday. A female voice begins the message by saying "Mike Thompson has been a bad boy," in risqué tones.
Mike Thompson, Starkewolf's opponent, is the incumbent Democrat Congressmen representing the District 1 seat, which comprises the Sonoma, Napa and Yolo County regions.
"It wasn't really the message I wanted to state and the risqué-type voice was not exactly the tone I wanted to set," Starkewolf said, but added, "you know, I make no apologies for it."
Starkewolf says the phone ad was made to help voters see Thompson's record, not upset them.
"We all said no to the bail out," the voice message continues, "but Thompson backed Bush, just like he did with the Patriot Act."
"Uhh, vote
Yes! for Zane," the message concludes.
Starkewolf said the message was originally intended to be a little provactive, but said "it got a little more enthusiasm from the staff person who is reading the script."
"The fact is that's a good thing, because we need enthusiasm back in politics and we need to get everyone shouting for attention," he said.
Starkewolf refused to release the name of the staffer who recorded the message, saying he takes full responsibility for it.
Thompson's office released a statement on the robocall on Monday, calling it a "sophomoric and tasteless prank. As our nation deals with a financial crisis and two ongoing wars, it's incredible that someone would waste voters' time with this drivel."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Good Day Tries Out The Robocall
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