Recorded voice calls and the do-not-call list

Another political story - this time from North Dakota, where the National Republican Committee (RNC) agreed to stop using recorded voice calls to thank donors.

The Washington Post reports:

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's Democratic challenger complained about calls made over the weekend in which the recorded voice of RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman thanks contributors. The state's do-not-call law bans recorded calls to homes, unless the recorded voice is introduced by a live operator.

At issue is whether a prior campaign contribution constitues a "business relationship" and therefore exempts such calls from the do-not-call list. The RNC says it believes the calls are legal, but they agreed to stop anyway... the Democrats want an investigation and fines. For now, the Attorney General claims it will do nothing as long as the calls stop.