Republicans are using computers to call voters in several districts. The calls purport to be from Democrats. If you hang up, they call, and call, and call, even into the night and early morning hours. If you DO listen, you hear a smear message about the Democrat. This is widespread and massive, and there is simply no time to respond. So it might work.
You and I are informed voters. The fact that you are reading this shows that you seek out information. So you are likely to see through - or find out about - this tactic. But consider the situation with most people. They work hard (not that you don't) and don't have a lot of free time. Maybe they have kids they have to get to school or soccer games (or the mall.) For one reason or another they are NOT as well-informed as we are, so they are susceptible to schemes like this one, which is obviously designed to get them angry at the Democratic candidate, possibly enough to keep them from voting at all.
I've been writing about the Republican calling operation here and here. Taylor Marsh is also looking at it. Talking Points Memo is also on this.
At Patriot Project we have also been looking at the earlier push-polling operation.
Update - According to the Republican Party website,
72-HOUR PROGRAM IS WORKING.
The GOP's 72-hour program has reached 27 million volunteer contacts through Saturday, hitting 3 million voters this Saturday alone. By and large, this effort will have its impact on Election Day and will not show up in most public opinion polls.
And this one at DailyKos, you just have to appreciate these guys. It's simple, it's basic and it gets the job done:
Tim Daly from Clarendon got a call saying that if he votes Tuesday, he will be arrested. A recording of his voicemail can be found online at: www.webbforsenate.com/media/phone_message.wav
The transcript from his voicemail reads:
"This message is for Timothy Daly. This is the Virginia Elections Commission. We've determined you are registered in New York to vote. Therefore, you will not be allowed to cast your vote on Tuesday. If you do show up, you will be charged criminally."
Daly has been registered to vote in Virginia since 1998, and he has voted for the last several cycles with no problem. He has filed a criminal complaint with the Commonwealth's attorney in Arlington.