From Deseret News archives:
Bishop's opponent unhappy with mailer
Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, this week sent out 140,000 mailers to many of his northern Utah constituents, costing more than $30,000.
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, will send one out to his 2nd District constituents before the congressionally mandated mailing deadline in early August.
Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah who lost his seat in the June GOP primary will not be sending out another mailer this year, said his chief of staff Joe Hunter.
Congressmen can send out taxpayer-paid mailers to constituents (and possible voters) in election years, but there are rules to be followed. (They can also send the mailers outside of election season, and many do that, as well.)
A House committee approves the mailers' design and contents (supposedly to keep the mailers from being overly partisan and/or self-promoting). Pictures of the congressman in the mailers can only be so large and appear so many times his name so large in print. (Bishop's mailer has his name mentioned seven times.) And the fliers can't be mailed between August and the November general election.
Bill Dew, the Republican running against Matheson, said he had no comment on the mailings.
Both Bishop and Matheson, like other congressmen, have started using their mailers as prequels to telephone town hall meetings, staffers for both representatives told the Deseret News.
"We started using electronic town hall meets last November, and we've found them to be a very efficient way to contact constituents," said Alyson Heyrend, Matheson's congressional spokeswoman. "And the feedback is so positive, people like them."
Bishop's latest mailer says the congressman is a leader in trying to adopt a good national energy policy, including his bill on the declaration on energy, much like the Declaration of Independence. "This is a bill he's pushing as a campaign issue; it is clearly campaign material," said Bowen.
Bishop and Matheson have held several "electronic town halls" over the summer, making telephone calls into homes asking those who answer to "join" the electronic meeting. Bishop's new mailer says: "He may be calling you soon" to join such a meeting.
Recent comments
I was very impressed with Congressman Bishop during a recent debate...
Dave from MA | July 18, 2008 at 5:10 p.m.
If it's legal, a congressman should take advantage of franking...
Rich | July 17, 2008 at 11:26 p.m.
I'm afraid you're the one out of touch, my friend. I personally...
@ "Bishop? | 1:03 p.m." | July 17, 2008 at 9:16 p.m.
- Birthdays for Thursday, Nov. 12 12:13 a.m.
- Tyler: Aerosmith not breaking up 12:12 a.m.
- BYU campus briefs 12:11 a.m.
- Husband of Justice O'Connor dies 12:11 a.m.
- The number — 72% 12:10 a.m.
- SLCC campus briefs 12:10 a.m.
- Southern Utah campus briefs 12:08 a.m.
- This lady's too busy to be old 12:08 a.m.
- Mormons successfully entering mainstream 12:08 a.m.
- Which school is the best school? 12:08 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- Civilians help S.L. officer make arrest
- House passes health care bill
287 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
242 - TCU showdown has big implications
193 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
101 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
91
This week, I'm compiling my annual list of restaurants serving...
Was Kanye invited to this event?
It's a lot of hard work but worth it, like anything else, if you're willing...
I have watched the exhibition games and I have noticed a slimmer JT. He looks...
I am a life long BYU fan and I must say ya it's hurt pretty bad this season,...
Upset of the Year! Wasps 42 JD 35
Some of you are crazy - what's this crush with the Mountain West Conference?...
I have been anticipating this game for weeks. This is as good as it...
I have enjoyed these stars in other films and was looking forward to an...
The pressure isn't on Utah, it's on TCU. Tcu has nothing to gain by beating...
Where are you getting your information about the 23 players that played...


