Democrats Decry Illegal Phone Calls

HELENA – Democrats across the state today called on failed candidate Steve Daines to immediately stop breaking the law by misleading Montanans with illegal robocalls.  Daines, who was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2008, and who is now associated with the far-right wing organization "Common Sense Montana," recorded the calls, which are illegal in Montana. 

“The people of Montana rejected Steve Daines once and I know they reject his willingness to break the law,” said Kate Downen, spokeswoman for the Montana Democratic Party.  “There are serious issues to debate in this state and this country; unfortunately people like Steve Daines have no place in it as long as they refuse to live inside the law.” 

The calls began flooding Montana households minutes last night after President Obama urged Congress and America to put aside partisan differences to find a solution to the country’s health care crisis. “And what the American people hope -- what they deserve -- is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics,” President Obama said. 

The message was obviously lost on Daines, whose organization cast such a wide net with their illegal campaign that even Democratic legislators received the call. 

“The calls were highly partisan and misleading. It's disappointing that people are spending time and money fear mongering while Democratic leaders are looking for real solutions to problems facing Americans,” said Margie MacDonald, a representative from Billings.

Prior to becoming a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2007, Daines ran the organization and website Giveitback.com, which came under scrutiny for not filing reports indicating their financial activity.