The specific automated phone call, or “robo-call” from the McCain campaign in question starts off like this: “You need to know that Barack Obama has worked closely with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers…”

These are the types of calls Missouri State Representative Sara Lampe says are negative campaign messages that instill fear and confusion among voters.

Lampe spoke alongside Springfield residents who received the automated calls from the McCain campaign. Many say they were upset by the content of the message.

Lampe says she feels “robo-calls” are misleading campaign tactics that work on a subconscious level.
 

 

Lampe adds that “robo-calls” have the potential to be effective and fair campaign methods, but only if they focus on positive information.

Missouri Republican Party spokesperson Tina Hervey says she stands behind the information in the messages and that automated calls are just another way of getting the campaign’s message out to voters.
 

 

Hervey says that the information in the automated phone calls includes details about Barack Obama’s past affiliations, which is an important part of a candidate’s character.

For KSMU, I’m Brett Moser.