Posted on 08/12/2004 5:52:24 AM PDT by Born Conservative
The notices mailed to constituents criticize White House policies and are paid for by taxpayers.
By BRETT MARCY
bmarcy@leader.net
President Bush's 2005 budget proposal earlier this year was "irresponsible," and the war in Iraq "has been a costly mistake," constituents learn from U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski in letters he mailed on the public dime. The anti-Bush tone of the letters might seem like the typical presidential campaign literature that fills area mailboxes, but the congressman's letters are not from his campaign.
Two Kanjorski letters, both dated Aug. 3, were printed on his official congressional letterhead, and they clearly state they were "prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense."
The Nanticoke Democrat faces no major opposition for re-election this year. Critics of the letters say they served only one purpose: to discreetly deliver a pro-John Kerry, anti-Bush message to his constituents.
"It's probably no coincidence that this comes out so soon after the Democratic National Convention and that it follows the themes of Kerry's speech at the convention," said Josh Wilson, political director for the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee. "He sits right along the doom-and-gloom campaign style of John Kerry and John Edwards. ... Certainly, it smacks of a political ploy."
Kanjorski denies using his congressional mailing privileges for political reasons, defending the letter as a way to explain his position on the issues of the day to registered voters in his district.
"This is not a political letter," Kanjorski said. "I happen to fundamentally disagree with the president on the war, and I think it's important that my constituents understand my position on that issue."
He added that the letter was timed to meet a congressional deadline of Aug. 4 for mass mailings in an election year, and that the House Franking Commission, which regulates all congressional mass-mailings, reviewed both letters and approved them.
In one letter, Kanjorski wrote: "President Bush submitted to Congress earlier this year his proposed budget for 2005. ... Furthermore, this budget did not take into account the cost of war in Iraq and its aftermath. This, in my view, is irresponsible."
In a second letter, Kanjorski blasted Bush for convincing him and many other members of Congress that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and that Iraq was an imminent threat. He said the nation must focus its efforts on defeating Al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations.
"Instead, our attention has been diverted by the war on Iraq, which I now believe has been a costly mistake," Kanjorski wrote.
"It was meant to address the issues that are coming up both in the Congress and that are coming up ... in the presidential election," Kanjorski said of the letters. "It was sort of to enlighten my constituents, but also to encourage them to think about it and become more aware."
The letters fall well within the ethical boundaries of congressional mailing privileges, said Matthew Woessner, assistant professor of public policy at Penn State's Capital College in Harrisburg.
Kanjorski's letters don't mention Kerry, nor the presidential election, nor his own upcoming bid for re-election. There is no appeal for residents to vote for one political party or candidate over another. Without those key elements, the letters can be considered informational rather than political, Woessner said.
"I think it's perfectly fair," Woessner said. "What he is doing is working within the rather restrictive congressional rules. ... In a sense, there are some underlying motives of influencing the election, but not in ways that are particularly egregious.
"In a sense, it's a service. He is telegraphing his position on the issues, and that's important. But it is true that there's really a fine line between constituent service and campaigning sometimes."
U.S. Rep. Don Sherwood, R-Tunkhannock, also sent a newsletter to his constituents in late July. Though it mentioned the 9-11 attacks and what he called a "rebounding" economy, Sherwood's letter made no mention of Bush or any other candidate.
"We try to keep things factual and nonpartisan," said Sherwood's chief of staff, John Enright, noting that he had not seen Kanjorski's mailing. "I've never known (Sherwood) to attack a president" in a newsletter.
Brett Marcy, the Times Leader's Harrisburg correspondent, may be reached at (717) 238-4728.
THE RULES FOR MAILINGS
All members of Congress have what are called "franking privileges," or the ability to use taxpayer dollars to pay for mailings within their respective districts. The mailings must be nonpolitical and cannot specifically endorse or request support for any particular candidate or political party. Any mailings that number more than 500 pieces must be pre-approved by the House Franking Commission, which regulates the federal franking laws and standards. All official mail from a congressional office must include disclaimer statements indicating that the mailing was paid for at taxpayers' expense. Members of Congress also are forbidden from sending mass mailings within 90 days of an election.
Why is that part of PA so heavily Dem that the Republicans cannot even find a decent opponent? It looks like Kanjorksi's district has some red counties in it. The Scranton area, which also has a labor union and Catholic history, has managed to send some Republicans to Congress. (Sherwood, for example.)
Actually, the last time that Kanjorski was re-elected found him in a very heated race; he almost lost to Lou Barletta, the mayor of Hazleton. I suspect it's only a matter of time before Knajorski is ousted.
As odious as Kanjorski is, we are stuck with him in Congress until he either resigns or is indicted.
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