Democratic coordinated campaigns
(DNC and state parties) began placing automated calls in key battleground
states such as Michigan and Florida in mid- to late-October (for example,
the Asner calls started in Florida Oct. 21). An early message featured
Ed Asner talking about Social Security. The Republican National Committee
denounced the "Gore-Asner prank calls" as "scare tactics" designed to "terrify
seniors into supporting his [Gore's] candidacy." Other calls featured
Texas residents talking about nursing home care and the environment.
The Bush campaign termed the Ann Friday/nursing home calls "dispicable."
Democrats defended the calls.
For example, a news release from Michigan Democrats stated, "The Michigan
Democratic Coordinated Campaign is running these message calls as an extension
of the Texas Truth Squad. The Texas Truth Squad is a group of Texans
that travel the country setting the record straight on Gov. Bush's record.
The people calling are real Texans telling the truth about Gov. Bush's
failures to lead on nursing home reform and the environment. We will
continue these message calls to let people in Michigan know the truth about
Bush's failed record in Texas."
Odelia Alaniz--nursing
home care
Ann Friday--nursing home
care
When George W. Bush ran for governor, he promised to improve the qualifty of life for nursing home residents. But George W. Bush broke that promise when he signed legislation that weakened nursing home standards. Since then, nursing home complaints in Texas have doubled. Tell George W. Bush to stop breaking promises and star fighting to protect
America's seniors.
Charlotte Cherry--environment
Here in Houston we have the worst air pollution in the country, even worse than Los Angeles. The air in Houston is so filthy that my two kids are frequently not allowed to go outside for recess. Governor Bush has accepted $1.3 million from corporate polluters and he's allowed them to keep polluting while my kids suffer. Please tell George Bush that our kids' health is worth fighting for.
Thank you.
Ed Asner--Social Security
Social Security is a sacred trust. That's why Al Gore uses the nation's surplus to preserve Social Security. Unfortunately, George W. Bush has a proposal that would undermine Social Security. Even threatening current benefits. George W. Bush proposes to take one trillion dollars out of the trust fund and give it to younger workers to invest. He promises that won't mean a cut in current benefits, but the independent Wall Street Journal shows that the Bush plan drains money that is needed now to pay our current benefits. This is Edward Asner. Intelligent changes are needed with Social
Security, but not at the cost of current retirees. That's a violation
of a sacred trust.
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