BC-CONG-OUTREACH-DET COMMUNICATING VS. CAMPAIGNING
Schauer
Washington -- Mailboxes often brim with correspondence touting the accomplishments of taxpayers' representatives in Congress  but none more so than the boxes of residents in Rep. Mark Schauer's south-central Michigan district.
 Schauer spent nearly $350 000 on mailings  telephone town halls and other outreach efforts to constituents in 2009  according to an analysis of quarterly spending records by The Detroit News. That's about one-quarter of his nearly $1.5 million allowance for congressional expenses.
 For example  after Congress passed a $787 billion economic stimulus package last year  Schauer  a freshman Democrat from Battle Creek who is considered to be in a tough re-election campaign  sent his constituents a colorful brochure saying the legislation "creates or saves 109 000 jobs in Michigan."
 Schauer declined to be interviewed. His press secretary  Zack Pohl  also wouldn't agree to an interview about the mailings   but sent an e-mail explanation .
 A colorful six-panel foldout from Schauer trumpeting the economic stimulus -- with three photographs of the congressman.
 Schauer was the 10th highest spender overall  according to an Associated Press analysis of spending by the House's 435 members.
Washington -- Mailboxes often brim with correspondence touting the accomplishments of taxpayers' representatives in Congress  but none more so than [TGT].
 [TGT] spent nearly $350 000 on mailings  telephone town halls and other outreach efforts to constituents in 2009  according to an analysis of quarterly spending records by The Detroit News. That's about one-quarter of [TGT] nearly $1.5 million allowance for congressional expenses.
 For example  after Congress passed a $787 billion economic stimulus package last year  [TGT]sent [TGT] constituents a colorful brochure saying the legislation "creates or saves 109 000 jobs in Michigan.[TGT] declined to be interviewed. [TGT] press secretary  Zack Pohl  also wouldn't agree to an interview about the mailings   but sent an e-mail explanation .
 A colorful six-panel foldout from [TGT] trumpeting the economic stimulus -- with three photographs of the congressman.
 [TGT] was the 10th highest spender overall  according to an Associated Press analysis of spending by the House's 435 members.