In just the third sentence of a January 27 press release announcing a January 28 joint Bangor appearance of Republican second-district congressional candidate Bruce Poliquin and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, the press release states that Scalise "travels to Maine just a few days after the 5-year anniversary of a shooting during a charity congressional baseball game practice where a liberal gunman targeted him on the field."

A liberal gunman? Really? Is it really necessary to describe the shooter as a liberal — shooting a presumably conservative Republican, at a charity event? So this is what Poliquin is going to run on, stoking the political hate and divisiveness that seem to be growing ever more violent in this country?

Well, that's helpful.

The press release states, "Bruce and Steve will discuss the important issues facing Maine and the nation."

Well, I hope they will discuss how shameless politicians fan the flames of hatred and division to score cheap political points. That's an important issue facing Maine and the nation.

Lawrence Reichard lives in Belfast