A GOP ‘robocall’

We can count ourselves lucky. California’s strong political leanings mean that neither side in the presidential race is spending much time or money here, as both assume that Democratic candidate Barack Obama will carry the state Nov. 4. Less fortunate Americans are enduring an onslaught of negative advertising by both campaigns, including some particularly nasty automated phone calls on behalf of the Republican ticket. For the edification of those who live here, we offer an insight into what guilt by association looks like in the age of the “robocall.” Here’s a transcript of a call that’s been deployed in battleground states from Maine to Nevada:

Hello. I’m calling for John McCain and the RNC because you need to know that Barack Obama has worked closely with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, whose organization bombed the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, a judge’s home and killed Americans. And Democrats will enact an extreme leftist agenda if they take control of Washington. Barack Obama and his Democratic allies lack the judgment to lead our country. This call was paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee at 202-863-8500.