What is the impact of the recent GOP revelation that former Louisiana U.S. Senator, John Breaux obtained a non-resident hunting license in January 2006?

To me, the bigger issue is: why was John Breaux even hunting in Louisiana, a mere-four months after Katrina hit and destroyed at the time most of New Orleans, Plaquemines Parish, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Rita did substantial damage to the west coast of Louisiana?

Four months post-Katrina, life in South Louisiana was really horrible.  Water was not potable for much of New Orleans.  St. Bernard Parish President Junior Rodriguez had just finished tearfully saying he can’t believe this happened on his watch and many of his fellow Chalmette residents were living someone else, since they could not even get FEMA trailers.

Most of us had major fights with FEMA, insurance companies, parish officials, and Governor Blanco was starting the second of two emergency special sessions to deal with the calamity.  Many of us who had homes still had no energy, or phone services and certainly no Internet. 

Yet, former Senator John Breaux, turned lobbyist was acquiring a 3-day nonresident migratory bird and a nonresident La Duck Stamp and HIP certification according to Roger Villere and the Louisiana GOP who had received the records from Louisiana GOP Deputy Chairman, Dan Kyle.

While young college kids were spending their Christmas holidays knocking out walls of water-bogged homes instead of partying, the first work-day open John Breaux was knocking out some sporting time.

Obviously, assuming the facts from Dan Kyle are true, the admission of non-residency is not a good bit of evidence for John Breaux who wants to be Governor of Louisiana.

Not that the months post-Katrina for so many was all work and no play, but, believe me, there was very little joy or sport for so many of us, just wading through the mess.  There were also very few available homes, our residents were living in Houston, Atlanta, Memphis, Dallas—many in cramped hotel rooms and some were concerned about whether they were going to be evicted by FEMA. 

Which all really raises the issue—just what the dickens was John Breaux doing in Louisiana and in Maryland Katrina post-when the rest of us were living the life of Les Miserables?  Assuming he served admirably in Congress and is congenial and powerful enough to have been a President Bush tennis buddy, did he really live and experience Katrina as so many of us did?

Getting wiped out by Katrina or Rita does not automatically make you eligible to be Governor, but, being a former Senator and not living the post-hurricane life does little for your gubernatorial resume.  This was a state so demolished that the experience has become part of our every day culture and psyche.  Depending upon your perspective, “K” is now a badge of honor for surviving or dishonor for failure.

In fairness, Bobby Jindal left Washington months before he was chauffeured around the state by Governor Foster circa 2003.   But, that was four years ago, and Katrina and Rita did not happen then. 

As the evidence piles up, the Democratic leaders should tell John Breaux, No Mas.  Granted, at one time, I thought Republicans wanted him to run so they could win in Court after he qualified.  Boy, was I wrong.  They want him out now because they believe he is the only one who can beat Jindal.  I disagree regarding that last point.  There are democrats with great name recognition.  There are other prospective candidates with plenty of smarts and who could win if they could garner some name recognition the right push, the right money, the right mo—just as Jindal received last gubernatorial election.  However, if the state keeps the same demography, all Democrats will have a more difficult time winning.

John Breaux should be applauded for wanting to help out Louisiana at this great time of need, giving up his incredible salary for a chance at the Governor’s wheel.  But, the evidence is mounting and admissions as that found by Dan Kyle are damning.   The longer he stays and fights this out, the shorter time other Democrats have to mount their candidacies.  Jindal will be formidable no matter who runs against him and the GOP and the Demos will attack each other like a cockfight.

But, the migratory bird in this case appears to be John Breaux who seems to be migrating back home, unqualified as a Katrina victim, and not seemingly qualified as a Louisiana citizen,  resident, or as a domiciliary.  And even if he decides to stick it out, he is going to be forced to duck those flying questions—just what did you do during the Katrina war, Daddy?

Here is the press release circulated on Thursday by the Louisiana GOP and the LA Chairman, Roger Villere:  

Lobbyist John Breaux (D-MD) obtained a “non-resident” hunting license in 2006 when he visited the Sportsman’s Paradise of Louisiana.

            Documentation obtained today by LAGOP Deputy Chairman Dan Kyle from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows the following:

“Our records indicate that Mr. John Breaux acquired the following licenses, Nonresident Migratory Bird 3-day, Nonresident LA Duck Stamp and HIP Certification on January 3, 2006.”

            Roger F. Villere, Jr., Chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana said “the evidence is mounting against Breaux being even remotely considered a citizen of Louisiana. The non-resident hunting license is in addition to his voter registration, homestead exemption, primary residence, and drivers license all being in Maryland.”

            “This is one more embarrassing development that clearly indicates that Lobbyist John Breaux is a citizen of Maryland,” Villere said.  “He obviously has not met the requirements for running for Governor of Louisiana, but he does have a great case for Maryland.”