The texts hit the president on social and fiscal issues.
(Photo: Twitter)
With less than a week to go before Election Day and the presidential race as tight as ever, a right-wing group hoping to erode President Obama's chances of re-election has begun a text message campaign against him.
One voter in Virginia reported receiving a text from sms@votegopett.com that read: "Obama supports homosexuality and its radical social agenda. Say No to Obama on Nov 6!"
It appears to be a Halloween tradition. According to The Huffington Post, the texts, which initially were sent anonymously, are the work of ccAdvertising. The firm pulled a similar stunt against Democrats in several Virginia races last year. Its COO, Jason Flanery, lost his Virginia state Senate race in 2011.
The 13-year-old daughter of New York Times reporter Jonathan Weisman received a text from sms@gopmessage.com warning that "Obama denies protection to babies who survive abortions. Obama is just wrong."
Weisman tweeted, "Hey sms@gopmessage.com, not cool texting my daughter your little hit piece. I'd like you to stop it."
The firm is circumventing a Federal Communications Commission ban on unsolicited text messages by sending emails to people's phones, which phone companies think are text messages. In addition, recipients who don't have a text messaging plan are charged for the message.
The group may think it is targeting like-minded voters but it is shooting some blanks.
"Stop Obama from forcing gay marriage on the states. Your vote is your voice," read the message received by Jennifer Cyr. She responded with, "I'm gay, you f---ing douchebags."
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