CD6: Reporter Accuses GOP Rep. Roscoe Bartlett of Suspicious Fundraising Tactics // Any Theories About What's Going On?

A reporter from the National Journal wrote a very unusual article about Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett tonight. Apparently, a Republican lobbyist contacted the publication to report that the embattled Republican Congressman's fundraising team is contacting potential donors using a taped recording of Mr. Bartlett. Taped calls or robocalls are nothing new in political campaigns, but dialing for real dollars using a recording instead of the candidate himself is something I'm not sure I've heard of.

[ LISTEN TO REP. ROSCOE BARTLETT'S TAPED MESSAGE ]

Read the National Journal's strange report (excerpt below):

NATIONAL JOURNAL: Was Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's campaign playing a taped pitch inviting potential donors to a fundraising event? That's what it sounded like to a Republican lobbyist after listening to the message left on his voicemail....

"Kirk Clinkenbeard over here with my boss Congressman Roscoe Bartlett at the congressional committee making some calls," Clinkenbeard says in the voicemail obtained by the Alley. "Here's Roscoe, he wants to leave you a very quick voicemail."

Then there's a pause, some background noise and, "Hi, Roscoe Bartlett here. I'm very sorry I missed you," he says before launching into his pitch....

So what gives? Was Clinkenbeard using a Bartlett recording in his fundraising pitch? And, if so, why?

So far, that remains a mystery. We took our questions to Clinkenbeard, who directed us to the campaign, which declined to comment....

The National Journal writer declined to speculate on why the 85-year-old Roscoe Bartlett isn't making his own fundraising calls. Maryland Juice provides a couple basic theories:

1. Roscoe Bartlett is unwilling to make fundraising calls
2. Roscoe Bartlett is unable to make fundraising calls

               and/or

3. Roscoe Bartlett's fundraiser came up with a really bad idea to cover for #1 or #2

Either way, this doesn't look good at all for Roscoe Bartlett!