by Eric Kelderman
Governors spiced up their annual greeting cards with a mix of sacred and secular themes, personalizing holiday messages with family recipes, Bible verses and even some original artwork.
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D), who paints as a hobby, continued his tradition of rendering a painting for his card. This year he crafted the portrait “Afghan Girl,” inspired by a photo from his March visit to Afghanistan’s war-torn Shomali Plains region.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) also broke out his paint brushes to create the Christmas tree image on his card — similar to the festive fir he painted for his 2005 card.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), who is leaving office after 10 years and mulling a White House bid, wrote “Farewell Arkansas” on the inside of his elaborate holiday missive. His card includes a family picture, a short New Testament passage and a detachable recipe for green bean bundles. The recipe from the famously health-conscious governor requires a pound of bacon and a cup of brown sugar.
Some governors also got creative with what has become standard holiday card fare – pictures of family and pets. Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), her family and their dog grace the Michigan Democrats’ holiday card, sporting mittens — Michiganders’ common symbol for the state’s geography. The governor uses a second hand to show the Upper Peninsula and her dog holds a mitten in his mouth.
