Politicians spam for votes

Political spam may be the next new feature in US elections, according to two political pundits.

In an article for the Los Angeles Times, Mike McCurry, former press secretary for president Bill Clinton, and Larry Purpuro, the former Republican National Committee deputy chief of staff, said some candidates might use spam to run cut-price campaigns.

They will follow California secretary of state Bill Jones who in this year's GOP gubernatorial primary sent emails to one million potential California voters asking for their support.

He spent only about two cents per message, instead of 35 cents or more per message for direct mail or in another medium.

"We believe email is no more intrusive than direct mail, telemarketing or TV advertising when it comes to politicians seeking to reach voters," McCurry and Purpuro said.

"A simple link in good email campaigns allows recipients to opt out of future mailings. Direct mail takes at least a phone call or stamp off a list, and viewers must repeatedly endure TV ads," they added.