Political newsletters draw renewed criticism

Erin Neff

Monday, Jan. 21, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.

Politician messages are common enough on the campaign trail, but candidates and incumbents alike also employ subtle ways to keep them on the minds of voters.

Whether in mail to constituents, television ads hyping programs or even cyberspace news, the messages serve a legitimate purpose while delicately suggesting the person is also a good one to remember on Election Day.

But every election cycle, such messages come under fire as critics argue the practice is distasteful, and when it uses taxpayer money, a waste of the public's funds.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., recently sent "A Message of Unity and Freedom" to constituents in his district -- sticking within the boundaries of congressional law.

The cover of the glossy four-page newsletter on magazine stock showcases the Statue of Liberty over a waving American flag with a quote from Gibbons about the terrorist attacks.

"We will not retreat, and we will not be intimidated," Gibbons' quote reads.

The congressman is equally undaunted by criticism of the mailer, and insists it is an informative message his district needs.

"It was simply to ensure Nevadans that America is strong and vigilant," Gibbons said. "It would be tragic that the misconception is out there that this is an election piece."

Gibbons, who is up for re-election this year, is not the only politician with star-spangled "official" messages. And while Congress, state and local governments have clear policies regarding electioneering, critics count myriad ways the spirit of such laws is trounced.

Ed Davis, director of state organizations for the nonprofit watchdog group Common Cause, said constituent newsletters tend to be little more than campaign mail.

"It is common that the newsletters tend to be self-promoting rather than conveying useful information," Davis said.

Gibbons' newsletter makes no mention of the coming election bid, but does include something common in campaign mail -- an endorsement. President George Bush doesn't say, "Vote for Gibbons," but his quote next to a photo of the two together certainly implies the president's support.

Others are questioning an ad campaign -- which includes television spots and newspaper ads -- for the state's pre-paid tuition program.

The television commercials show children talking about their savings accounts and end with a short message from state Treasurer Brian Krolicki. The treasurer's office administers the pre-paid tuition program, but Krolicki is also seeking re-election.

"I think it's more than coincidental that the ads started popping up right about the time that Henry Rolling decided to run for treasurer," Terry Care, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said in reference to the Democrat running against Krolicki, a Republican.

The treasurer's office said it has run similar ads each year the pre-paid tuition program has been offered. The ads run in December and January, because the deadline to enroll in the program each year is Jan. 31.

"He's only in the ad for about four seconds," Assistant Treasurer Kathy Besser said.

Besser said the treasurer's office has a specific budget to market the program, and the office repays the state with money generated by the program.

"No taxpayer dollars are involved," Besser said.

Krolicki's name is necessary on the print ads and he shows up on TV, because the office wanted to show who is accountable for the program, she added.

Local cable television stations operated by Clark County and the city of Las Vegas regularly showcase elected officials.

Pete O'Neil, an Independent candidate for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, argued that Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera was misusing the county's television station when he appeared in a 30-second spot for the county's prescription drug program for low-income seniors.

"He has an absolute advantage because he's on air and isn't spending any money," O'Neil said. "That, to me, was a campaign ad."

Clark County has no policy about who can appear on the station and what type of message they can promote. The city does have a policy prohibiting any campaigning on its station. Officials with both governments say they scrutinize the material to ensure no electioneering takes place.

Office-holders in Clark County and the city also have the advantage -- or disadvantage -- of having public meetings aired live.

But television isn't the only way incumbents can reach out to voters.

Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald has sent e-mail briefings called "In the Loop" to her Ward 2 constituents since she took office. Now that the Republican is running for Nevada's 1st Congressional District, there is greater scrutiny of her messages.

The electronic briefing contains news about Boggs McDonald's ward with a picture of her and links to the councilwoman's official city home page. The message is produced by city staff and makes no mention of her congressional bid.

Boggs McDonald is also getting her picture out in another legitimate way that still raises eyebrows -- Bible bookmarks.

"I get asked to speak to religious groups all the time and I always take along something they can remember the event by," Boggs McDonald said.

The bookmark has her photo in the clouds above a quote from Galatians and a picture of the Bible.

"I read the Bible every day and I know how many bookmarks I have in mine," she said. "I thought it was just something that could be useful."

Boggs McDonald said she has passed out the bookmarks for about a year -- before she decided to run for Congress.

Democrats already have questioned who paid the bookmarks, and a sample of them is making the rounds through e-mail as far away as Washington, D.C.

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