Third Party Email List Violations

Sometimes I wonder what's going on out there.... A few weeks ago I wrote an article about Lynn Swann's campaign sending me a blind email. Sending someone an unsolicited email is something we lovingly call spam. While an effective online strategy is critical to a successful campaign these days there are certain laws and rules you must follow.

It's pretty common most places (except for Berks County) to see email sign up sheets at events. Collecting contact information to use for newsletters, event announcements, fundraising and meetings is being done by most political organizations (except for my own county party, they still haven't even figured out how to send email). One major rule is you CANNOT use someone else's email list carte blanche.

This is a BIG NO NO. For example, I can't buy a list from you and use it to send a mass email about my group, organization or campaign. That's spamming. I can send you an email explaining how I received your information, tell you about me or my organization, and ask you to sign up for my list. This is called sending an "opt in." You include a link to a special landing page on your website where the person then signs up for your list. Bingo, now you can add them to your email campaign. The neat thing is that you can also use that page to ask them to volunteer, and ask what they'd like to volunteer for.

So why am I writing another article about this today? Bob Casey just did the same thing Lynn Swann did: they added me to their email list without permission and spammed me. Here's the danger they run into: I identified their email as spam with my email provider. If enough people do that ALL their email to that provider automatically gets labeled as spam. It's a really, really stupid thing to do. As you can see there's no link to an opt in page on this email. Since I didn't authroize anyone to provide them with my email address this is legally spam email. Here's their letter:

Dear John,

Instead of running on his record, Rick Santorum is running from his record. The latest in a long list of examples is Social Security.

Last year, Santorum was the point person for the Bush Administration's attempt to privatize Social Security. Now he is trying to cover his tracks with a new ad campaign touting his "Social Security Guarantee Act" - a bill with a nice title, but described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as "snake oil" and a "transparent ploy."

To show the contrast between Candidate Santorum and Senator Santorum we have put together a quick, but telling video. I encourage you to watch it and then forward to all your friends. It is important to prevent Santorum from using 30 seconds of polka music (you'll see what I mean) to drown out years of attacks on Social Security.

Watch the Video at BobCasey.com

A Philadelphia Inquirer editorial has made the following comments about Santorum's bill: "...this guarantee is no guarantee at all. Congress could rescind it at any time. This proposal is just one more attempt to give private accounts an ideological foot in the door..." [Philadelphia Inquirer editorial, 9-25-05]

Rick Santorum is attempting to fool voters about his record and cover up his rigid ideological agenda. We're counting on you, our grassroots base, to help spread the word. So email and instant message this link to your friends and family. Let them know about Santorum's strategy to deceive the people of Pennsylvania.

We're going to hold Rick Santorum accountable at BobCasey.com and we'll send you periodic updates about new online media and content. Get the truth about Rick Santorum and then get active in moving up his retirement age.

Stay Tuned,

Jon Jones
Internet Director