by TChris

Indiana bans automated telephone calls that play prerecorded messages unless a live person first obtains permission from the called party. That law didn't stop Republicans from using automated telephone calls to target Democratic congressional candidate Baron Hill, who is running for the seat he once held, now occupied by Rep. Mike Sodrel. Indiana's Republican Attorney General Steve Carter filed a lawsuit today against the Republicans who are responsible for the calls -- Republicans who have a history of nasty election practices.

Carter also is seeking a preliminary injunction against the California-based group, Economic Freedom Fund, which is financed by Bob J. Perry, a Texas homebuilder with close ties to White House adviser Karl Rove. Perry also bankrolled the Swift Boat attack ads against the war record of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry in 2004.

The calls (discussed here) make false claims about Hill. While Sodrel pledged to run a clean campaign, Hill points to dishonest statements in Sodrel's advertising as evidence that Hill hasn't kept his word. The dirty tricks may be a sign of desparation as polling shows Hill with a lead over Sodrel.