Opinion Published by Sarasota Herald-Tribune Jan 08

Buchanan's $5,000 'robocall'

Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 1:42 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 1:42 a.m.

This story appeared in print on page A18_OPED

What's done is done. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan split legal hairs to spend $5,000 of taxpayer money to make an automated campaign phone call. What are we going to do to make sure this never happens again?

First, according to Jeremy Wallace's column, Buchanan is aware of the legal loophole that allows "robocalls" without disclosure. Buchanan is certainly aware that campaign action out of a congressional office violates the law.

So, while Buchanan may have followed the letter of the current law with his robo-call, he clearly violated the intent of the laws that he is in D.C. to create, uphold and protect.

Second, let's be clear that this sure looked like a $5,000 campaign call.

If Buchanan's true intent was an extra report on results that favor working-class families, wouldn't he just robocall working-class families? "New technology" certainly has the data on us to sort out the appropriate targets.

Finally, let's elect a representative in November who has personal integrity. Representatives who respect their constituents don't split hairs in order to violate the intent of the law while adhering to the letter of the law.

Buchanan can't undo this $5,000 episode, but we can hold him accountable for his use of our money.

He can sponsor legislation that closes the disclosure loophole that he leveraged with this robocall.

[Name redacted]

Sarasota

This story appeared in print on page A18_OPED