Chris Frates On Power, People And Influence From Capitol Hill To K Street

The Roscoe Update: Bartlett Phoning It In, Lobbyists Say

We told you earlier this week about a Roscoe Bartlett fundraising call that some on K Street thought included a taped pitch from the congressman. Instead of leaving a message in person, Bartlett had an aide play a recording of him, the thinking went.

Bartlett's campaign wouldn't comment on the call, but the lobbyist who received it swore it was a recording. 

Well, another lobbyist who received the same call emailed the Alley to say he "had no doubt whatsoever that it was a recording." 

"For a moment I thought it odd and then just figured, well, there's a new phase in the evolution of fundraising calls," the lobbyist wrote. "Since few lobbyists actually answer their phones, most members doing their fundraising calls are talking mostly to machines. Why not just have one machine talk to another? It's actually brilliant!"

Indeed, it's only a matter of time before the machines take over and Skynet becomes self-aware

Leave A Comment
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus
Follow National Journal
About Influence Alley

Editor and Chief Contributor: Chris Frates
Deputy Editor: Michael Catalini
Reporter: Elahe Izadi
Contributors: John Aloysius Farrell, Shane Goldmacher, Billy House, Ben Terris