Washington's Well-Wishes

AllPolitics presents a gallery of Christmas cards from top Democratic and Republican officeholders. Click on the cards to see larger versions and the card's contents.

In case you're wondering about your tax dollars, the cards are financed by the political parties and campaign funds. The Democratic National Committee, for instance, paid for some 300,000 cards from the Clintons.

This year's presidential Christmas card is topped by a picture entitled "White House Nocturne, South Lawn 1997" from Washington artist Kay Jackson. Full Size and Inside

The veep's card features a photo of the Gore family at the wedding of eldest Gore girl Karenna to Drew Schiff. From left to right, for those among us who can't keep these folks straight: Sarah, Tipper, Al, Karenna, Drew, Kristin and Albert III. The photo was taken by Denis Reggie.

Not only do Clinton's and Gore's cards sport the union label on the back, it's a Teamsters Union label, no less. Full Size and Inside

The speaker's card stands out from the pack of top officeholders for the small brass ornament it includes. In the shape of an angel (whose hair somewhat resembles the speaker's, oddly enough), the ornament has Newt and Marianne Gingrich's signatures and the speaker's seal. The cover is "A Merry Holiday Season at the Capitol (circa 1896)," by folk artist Carol Dyer. Full Size and Inside

The Mississippi Republican's card features a photo of the Lott family. The shot was taken at Beauvoir, the final home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, in Biloxi, Miss. Full Size and Inside

The South Dakota Democrat's staff is excited about this year's card, which features the Capitol holiday tree. The tree came from the Black Hills National Forest in none other than...South Dakota. The tree is decorated with thousands of ornaments from South Dakota schoolchildren. Pentad Design Associates designed the card. Full Size and Inside

In Other News:

Tuesday Dec. 23, 1997

• Burton Committee Pushes For Immunity
• A New Manager For Troubled D.C.
• Washington's Well-Wishes
• Clinton Offers Holiday Messages