Initially, political analysts believed that U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu would be the most vulnerable incumbent Democrat in the U.S. Senate. To take advantage of this situation, Republicans, led by former Bush political adviser Karl Rove, recruited State Treasurer John Kennedy to switch to the GOP. The conventional wisdom was that Kennedy would be a very popular candidate who would give Landrieu a tremendous challenge. Instead, polls show that State Treasurer John Kennedy is running behind incumbent U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.
In this campaign, Landrieu has done a very effective job in painting Kennedy as a "confused" politician. Kennedy supported Kathleen Blanco for Governor in 2003 and John Kerry for President in 2004. He was supported by Congressman Bill Jefferson and the Progressive Democrats, a tainted political organization, when he ran for U. S. Senate in 2004. At that time, Kennedy was even supported by the radical group Moveon.org.
In the 2004 Senate race, Kennedy was the most liberal candidate, running to the left of Chris John and David Vitter. Now, he wants voters to accept him as the conservative Republican. Well, it is not working with many grassroots Republican voters. It is also not working with a large number of Republican elected officials. At least two dozen GOP office holders have endorsed Landrieu, including some very influential and popular leaders such as Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand and St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis who are backing Landrieu.
Republican activists are infuriated and GOP State Party Chairman is contemplating some sort of "meaningful" censure of these officials. Yet, the options are limited and little can be done to punish these politicians.
In fact, as more officials threaten censure, the resolve of the Landrieu supporting elected officials only grows. Yesterday, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand complained that when he switched to the GOP, he did not take a "blood oath" to support the party's candidates.
Both Republicans and Democrats alike credit Landrieu with her responsiveness to the state post Katrina. Compared to the problems that other members of the congressional delegation faced, Landrieu has had very few controversies and no scandals. Voters seem to be willing to give her another term as a reward for steady leadership and solid results at a time when many of her political colleagues have failed their constituents and embarrassed the state of Louisiana.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and the Political Editor for NewOrleans.com. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Yes, that is correct, Kennedy, if able would go back to his home party... That is the weird thing here, folks changing parties in hopes of just getting elected.... That thing with Rodney Alexander was really weird, I think folks like that should be automatically dismissed from consideration because they show you up front they stand for nothing........ But, to get rid of Landreiu, I guess that is the only approach possible..... But then again, isn't there someone else out there better than Kennedy to run on the Repub. ticket? Politics, it sucks, we need honest people, or even some dumb people with honest intent that can assemble a team, adopt a program, strive towards a destination and do what they can to make the best possible outcomes avail for progress and productivity.......... Ahhhh,, to wish upon a star................................................. Written by
on 10/16/2008
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Exactly Bart, I think you're right on all points. As far as "Conservative" or "Liberal" labels go.... they mean very little to me. If a politician simply votes as their party does on every issue - then what makes them worth their salary? Any fool could do that. Independent thinking people who stand for the principles of peace, prosperity & liberty will get my backing (monetary contributions to assist then gaining or keeping office) even though I may strongly disagree with them on one or more major issues. Unfortunately, politicians who actually display these traits are few and far between. I'll vote for Mary, and David Vitter when the time comes - but I certainly won't contribute any of my money to keep either one in office. Written by kpf
on 10/16/2008
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We are chumps to believe Kennedy is truly a conservative. I truly believe that if Landrieu would have retired Kennedy would have run as a democrat. He will not get my vote by going down to the court house and changing the (D) to an (R). Written by Bart
on 10/16/2008
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TLee, while I agree the bailout was a scam I would not credit either of our senators with "defying their party" or "casting independent votes" by voting against the bailout. Maybe they did... but just "maybe." I say this because they KNEW their vote was not needed for the bailout's passage. More to the point, their leaders in the Senate knew their vote wasn't needed. One of the games played in both houses is forcing members to vote a certain way - applying the squeeze (loss of membership on a committee for example) to those with the least senority to vote a certain way if their vote is needed. On a very close vote, the leadership will threaten ALL members regardless of their senority to vote a certain way. On a bill like the bailout where it passed 3 to 1 no pressure was applied to Vitter or Landrieu to vote for the bill by their party's leadership, this allowed them to viote against it and claim they "defied their party's leadership" My point is that the one sided vote which ensured passage means this was not a true test of "independence" or "defying their party" for either of our senators. Written by kpf
on 10/16/2008
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I hope the GOP does censure these Landrieu backers. Maybe they will switch back to being Democrats as a result. Written by David Quidd
on 10/15/2008
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And you Mr. Horne are deserving of whatever her votes get you....... So, I would wonder about you as well....................... Written by
on 10/15/2008
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U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu did an admirable job during the recovery from all the storms. She did her best and it was effective in getting much needed assistance to the citizens of Louisiana. In addition both sitting Senators from Louisiana followed the will of the citizens of Louisiana and voted against the 700 billion dollar bailout scam. Senator Landrieu is deserving of my vote and she will get it. Written by T Lee Horne III
on 10/15/2008
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Mary is a liberal democrat that becomes semi-conservative 12 to 18 months before the next election, but she calls herself a moderate/conservative. Kennedy is a conservative democrat who switched parties because the new democratic party has become the party of special interests. Written by Sid
on 10/15/2008
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Sid, could you explain a little better? Your statement is too cryptic and vague for me. Written by Clarence
on 10/15/2008
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Well there is a liberal demagogue who calls herself a moderate and a conservative democrat that calls himself a republican. I like the republican/democrat conservative. Written by Sid
on 10/14/2008
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"GOP State Party Chairman is contemplating some sort of 'meaningful' censure of these officials. " Whoa... you going to censure the SHERIFF? .... (I don't think so!).... Roger - get ya head outta da flowuhs. You're biting the hands that feed you ....I bet your "pals" are discussing de-throning you as I type... (And, Mr.Normand,,,,,, come on back to the Democrats [wink] ) Written by KjunLady
on 10/14/2008
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there is no republican in this race. Written by both are democrats
on 10/14/2008
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