Tea Party Candidate Writes a New Kind of Christmas Story

One Tea Party candidate who lost his bid for Congress now has another cause to promote: a childrens' Christmas book he wrote earlier this year. But this is no ordinary Christmas story - "The Liberal Clause" features a unionized Santa's workshop, liberal elves led by "Elf Peloosi," and a socialist Santa-like figure who may or may not have really been born in the North Pole.

The book's author, David W. Hedrick, first burst onto the state political scene when he angrily confronted Washington State Democratic congressman Brian Baird at a town hall meeting on healthcare earlier this year. Hedrick then launched a primary campaign for the GOP nomination to replace the retiring Baird, but lost his bid in August.

"The Liberal Clause" tells the story of a snowy small town that gets taken over by the "Liberal Claus," - who also goes by the name of Barry - and his sidekick, "Elf Peloosi." Liberal Claus forces the elves to unionize, bails out the sled industry with town money, and stipulates that all children be given the same amount of toys, no matter if they've been naughty or nice.

He cites a "liberal clause" in the town's "Christmatution" that allows him to get away with all of this - along with trying to control "elf-made global warming" and forcing townsfolk to attend a church presided over by a "Reverend Blight."

In the end, one little girl defends the Christmastution and saves the town from Liberal Claus' takeover - by unplugging his teleprompter.

A consultant for Hedrick said the book will soon be available at Amazon and Borders, and that Hedrick will tape a segment for a Christmas episode of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

If the book sells well, Hedrick may have a more promising career as an author than a politician - but first, he must deal with some serious charges.

Hedrick appeared before a district court last week to face charges for assaulting his wife. However, his wife asked the court for a no-contact order on Hedrick to be lifted, telling the court Hedrick was "not dangerous" and that he had tried to restrain her when she was "out of control."