White House distances Obama from robocall backing Rep Fattah

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is distancing itself from a robocall using President Barack Obama's voice and urging Pennsylvania voters to choose Rep. Chaka Fattah in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

An automated telephone call delivering a recording to Pennsylvania voters features local officials asking citizens to support Fattah. The recording also uses archival audio of Obama acknowledging Fattah at an event for his work on neuroscience research.

But White House spokeswoman Jennifer Friedman says the White House didn't approve of Obama's voice being used. She's noting that Obama hasn't endorsed a candidate in the race.

Fattah is running for a 12th term in a four-way primary. He faces trial on federal racketeering and bribery charges in May.