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The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has spent almost $50,000 on unsolicited phone calls to residents of the Illinois 8th District. David McSweeney is the Republican running for Congress in the Illinois 8th, yet the phone call starts off by saying, "Hello, I’m calling with information about Melissa Bean." Congresswoman Melissa Bean is the Democrat running for Congress in the Illinois 8th. Recipients of the calls who hang up right away are lead to believe that the call is from supporters of Melissa Bean. Those who listen to the remainder of the call hear a smear message about Congresswoman Bean. This is not limited to the Illinois 8th, but it is also happening in the Illinois 6th and other districts across the country.

Will politicians stop at nothing to win these elections? I phrase that question with politicians and not Republicans because I cannot say with any certainty that Democrats are guilt-free in using dirty tactics to win an election. Although according to Keith Olbermann’s Special Comment the other night, President Bush will surely stop at nothing to keep his party in power. What is your take on the dirty tactics being used in our nation’s elections?

Update: The FBI has launched an investigation of deceptive calls received by some Virginia residents. One caller claimed to be from the Board of Elections, and threatened criminal charges against Timothy Daly of Arlington if he voted in Virginia. The reason? The caller said that Daly was registered to vote in New York, not Virginia. Another caller, claiming to work for the Democratic candidate Jim Webb, told Lawrence Baumann that his polling place had been moved to a non-existent street. It appears that these intimidating and deceptive calls were all directed towards Democratic voters. Check one more line crossed!