MnIndy file photo

Politico reports that an unnamed Democratic official is saying Rep. Michele Bachmann’s email and phone number farming is akin to a spam operation. According to the official, Republicans have leveled the same accusation at the White House at its campaign to garner support for health care reform.

“Bachmann is using official government resources in a way that allows groups to simply add individual e-mails … into her government-run database,” the official told Politico. “Fox spent a lot of time on this story when it involved the White House. I wonder if they or anyone else will pay the same attention now that it is a Republican Member of Congress.”

Bachmann’s office shot back: “When individuals subscribe to receive Rep Bachmann’s mobile updates, a confirmation text is sent to their phone and ask for their ZIP Code. If individuals decide they do not want to receive these updates, they can always opt out. … They also have an opt-out option on every email, as required by House Franking.”

It’s not the first time Bachmann’s office has been accused of questionable communications with constituents. A group of liberal bloggers filed a complaint with the House Office of Congressional Ethics last month when a mailer went out directing constituents to a political organization.