SALISBURY — One of my colleagues in the newsroom handed me a Christmas card this week which made us a bit uncomfortable. Nothing obscene, but it was a Christmas card from Maryland Sen. Andy Harris, R-7-Baltimore County. The problem with the mailing is that it’s not really a Christmas card. Sure, it has the appearance as one with Andy, his wife, five children and family dog huddled in front of the fireplace with Christmas stockings.
It even wishes my colleague a “Merry Christmas! A Happy & Healthy New Year!” The entire Harris family has signed their name. The problem, however, is that it’s not personalized. It’s part of a giant mailer to the registered Republicans in the area. (Why I haven’t received one, I don’t know.) This in itself is not that upsetting. It’s politics. Harris is trying to appeal to Republican voters to win the Feb. 12 primary against U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest.
But what is disconcerting is what’s on the back of the card. There is no Hallmark symbol!! OK, it’s not a Hallmark, but I’m more concerned with the writing. “Andy Harris - Consistent Conservative Republican Leadership.” “Not paid for at taxpayer expense. Paid for by Andy Harris for Congress.” When I say disconcerting, I think I mean cheap shot. It’s an attack Christmas card.
I’m not an advocate of Gilchrest’s overflow of mailers and obvious heavy use of the Franking privilege in recent months that allows his office to send mail to all of his constituents for free. I’ve heard people complain about his avalanche of free mailings in the past two months — an avalanche at least compared to the first nine months of the year. But to call Gilchrest out through a Christmas card is politicizing the most pure of holidays. This is a holiday of joy, giving and love.