Santorum Running Robocalls in Michigan Telling Democrats Not to Let Romney Get Away With Opposing the Auto Bailout

Wow. When I first heard the story, I thought for sure it was some shenanigans. But the Santorum campaign has confirmed it to multiple outlets. It's like waking up in Bizarro World.

Rick Santorum is running robocalls targeting Democrats and encouraging them to vote in the Republican primary:

“Michigan Democrats can vote in the Republican primary on Tuesday,” the narrator says in a copy of the call initially obtained by Talking Points Memo. “Why is it so important? Romney supported the bailout for his Wall Street billionaire buddies, but opposed the auto bailout. That was a slap in the face to every Michigan worker. And we’re not going to let Romney get away with it.”

Then the ad closes with: “This call is supported by hard-working Democratic men and women and paid for by Rick Santorum for President.”

Ahh, I'm so old I remember the days when Republicans didn't want Democrats or independents voting in our primaries. Also, this is a deeply disingenuous robocall. Yes, Mitt Romney opposed the auto bailout. And so did Rick Santorum.

There's more robocall mischief in the Wolverine State. Someone, it's unclear who, is running a pro-Santorum robocall using the NRA's name and calling gun owners to tell them to vote against Romney. The NRA rep says the gun rights organization hasn't endorsed, isn't responsible for these calls, and believes either candidate is a vast improvement over President Obama.

And, finally, if you click the first link up there, there's a Democratic strategist who is also encouraging Democrats to vote for Santorum with robocalls. His theory is that the longer the primary drags out, the weaker the eventual Republican candidate will be.

posted by Gabriel Malor at 06:51 PM

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