Opponents bash Burton's recent mailing

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - GOP Congressman Dan Burton is under fire for a recent mailing to constituents.

Two of the four Republicans who hope to challenge Burton in the next election teamed up Monday to criticize it. The mailing spells out Burton's position on health care reform. ( Click here to view the document)

It was sent at taxpayer expense using what's known as the Franking Privilege that permits members of Congress to communicate with constituents at no cost.

In this case Republican Candidate Brose McVey said the message is too political, "So I'm calling on the Congressman to do the right thing and simply suspend his use of it."

A spokesman for Burton said the Republican Congressman is doing his job letting constituents know where he stands on the hottest issue in Washington, a message lost on McVey, who said, "I wish we had a Do Not Call List for Franked Mail Privileges, we'd see how many voters continue to say, no, no please, continue to send me glossy beautiful pictures of yourself on my nickel."

This is not the first time that the use of the postal service has become a campaign issue for Congressman Burton. Back in 2007 Burton was among the top 5 in Congress when it came to taking advantage of the franking privilege.

And that's where another Burton opponent, Republican Luke Messer, picks up the argument.

"Congressman Burton runs around talking about the deficit," said Messer. "He says he's a fiscal hawk and a fiscal conservative and he is one of the biggest spenders on this kind of taxpayer funded mail there is in Congress and that's why it matters."

It also matters because, as the incumbent, Burton has an advantage over the other candidates in this race.

The spokesman for Burton, John Donnelly said the mailing was approved by a bi-partisan committee in Congress. Donnelly said he's not sure how many were sent out.