'Robo-calls' reached 2 out of 3 voters

Nearly 2 out of 3 US voters received the irritating prerecorded "robo-calls" from political candidates during the past election season, according to a survey released yesterday. The Pew Internet and American Life Project found that the automated messages trailed only direct mail among "get out the vote" techniques used by political candidates in the November elections. Sixty-four percent of registered voters surveyed said they had received a robo-call before the last election, while 24 percent said they had received a political call from a live person. (Reuters)

Florida

MIAMI -- The shadow of President Bush seemed to loom large over his younger brother yesterday, as the outgoing Florida governor ruled out any plans to return to elected office. "No tengo futuro (I have no future)," Jeb Bush told Spanish-language reporters in Miami, when asked about any possible political ambitions after he steps down next month. The popular two-term governor did not elaborate. But he has said repeatedly over the past year that he would not run for president in 2008 and has never seemed comfortable with talk about Bush III or the Bush presidential dynasty. (Reuters)

Pennsylvania

NICKEL MINES -- The last of five Amish girls hospitalized after being shot nearly three months ago in a schoolhouse massacre is scheduled to go home before Christmas, according to a family friend. Sarah Ann Stoltzfus was expected to be released from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia tomorrow, said Leroy Zook, a close friend of the victims' parents. Five other girls were killed in the Oct. 2 attack at West Nickel Mines Amish School, including Sarah Ann's 12-year-old sister, Anna Mae. The 32-year-old gunman, Charles Carl Roberts IV, committed suicide as police surrounded the one-room school. (AP)