Another pol tries using robo-call attacks to spur donations

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy: Getty Images photoYet another Pennsylvania Congressman is using recent robo-call attacks against him to stir his supporters into opening their wallets.

This time it's U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Bristol), who is one of many Pennsylvania lawmakers being targeted in recent robo-call campaigns by the conservative group Freedom's Watch.

Murphy, an Iraq war veteran running against Republican Tom Manion in the 8th Congressional District, has been a Freedom's Watch target mainly over issues of the war and troop funding.

In an e-mail to supporters this morning, Murphy said recent calls questioning his committment to the troops were "insulting and inaccurate, but sadly, not surprising."

"This type of baseless attack is typical of groups like Freedom's Watch, since they have unlimited funding and answer to no one," he wrote. "Using lies to viciously smear public servants is the sole reason these groups exist – they do the dirty work for the same old, status quo style of Washington politics that I am trying to change."

And further down the e-mail, there it was, a plea for supporters to help his campaign post strong numbers in campaign finance reports due June 30.

"If we make a strong showing on June 30," he wrote, "we can send a clear message to those groups: stay out. If we can post a large enough number, we might just convince those on the far-right to take their millions elsewhere. Please, join me today and let these folks know you're not going to stand for their divisive and damaging political games."

Murphy's e-mail follows a similar one by U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Edgmont) last week.