RNC’s robocalls ineffective, annoying

By Jon Ralston (contact)

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008 | 2:01 a.m.

Getting annoyed by the robocalls you’ve been getting that will not abate until Nov. 5? Fear not, as The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder writes: “Political scientists and consultants say that taped-voice telephone calls are among the least effective methods of voter persuasion. Privately, Republican consultants liken the RNC’s massive robocall effort last week to a ball and string toy — it gives vendors something to do and activists something to think about.” And this from an expert: They “might help you to stretch your resources in ways that allow you to contact the maximum number of people, but don’t expect to move them very much, if at all.” So GOP activists have to hear about ACORN and Ayers to be persuaded it’s worth voting? How sad.