Minnick Uses Privilege He Once Criticized

In 1996 when then-citizen Walt Minnick ran to unseat then-Sen. Larry Craig, Minnick took exception with Craig running as a “fiscal conservative” while using the congressional franking privileges to send out more than $132,000 worth of taxpayer-funded mailings to constituents.  Minnick, during his first year in Congress, has used more than $150,000 for taxpayer dollars to frank, though his campaign spokesman points out that he has used that money for more direct forms of communication as well, such as telephone town hall meetings.  Staffers for Minnick’s electoral opponent, Republican Raul Labrador, say that Minnick is using the franking privilege for political purposes/ Dustin Hurst , Idaho Reporter. More here .

Question: Is Minnick being hypocritical by using the franking privilege he once criticized?