Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., a top Democratic target, said the intent of "robocalls" is to "distort your record and drive your negatives up." Gerlach said many voters are turned off by the repeated calls, but said his campaign will soon be polling to determine their political impact. "It's bound to have an effect after a year of those calls," he said, adding he has countered the barrage with franked mail and by being visible in the district.
-- by Mark Wegner
Franking isn't supposed to be used for blatant political purposes, though of course this is regularly abused.