Louisiana GOP Questions Landrieu on Nagin's Obama Backing

Wednesday night: Louisiana Punch: Scandal, Politics and Funny

The battle of the surrogates continue. Here is the the latest from the LaGOP:

Republican Party of Louisiana Executive Director Matt Parker made the following statement in response to New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin’s endorsement of Barack Obama:

“Today’s endorsement raises more questions than answers. In a press release announcing today’s endorsement, Nagin cited ‘Obama’s advocacy for the people of Louisiana and working men and women across the county’ and specifically his work to address the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Does Mary Landrieu disagree with Nagin? Why won’t Landrieu stand up and let Louisianans know why she won’t endorse Obama?”

Yesterday, Democrat advocate, Brian Welsh who is being paid by various Democratic organizations said, “New Orleans: State Treasurer John Neely Kennedy has never been one to shy away from using his office to grandstand.

In fact, just recently Kennedy used his office to put out a statement in support of a bill requiring legislators to substitute teach.

Meanwhile, in his latest campaign email, John Neely Kennedy is once again parroting the language of "change" and "reform." For a politician with the principles of John Neely Kennedy, treating issues as serious as ethics and reform in government as nothing more than the latest fashion trend is no big feat.

And yet, when it comes to truly backing reform and change, John Neely Kennedy is not to be found.

Why, for example, hasn't Kennedy used his state treasurer's bully pulpit to address the controversy raging in Baton Rouge over what is being regarded as a weakening of the state's ethics standards?

Specifically, where does Treasurer Kennedy stand on the issue of raising the standard applied in prosecuting ethics charges to "clear and convincing" and thus making it extremely difficult if not nearly impossible to successfully prosecute ethics violations?

Does John Kennedy side with those who believe that the change weakens ethics standards?

Would he support an amendment to change the standard back to its previous level?

If not, why?

While trying to fit himself into the look of change and reform, Kennedy has to deal with some serious flaws in his record.

"From issues dealing with the barring of pension benefits for convicted public officials to tightening disclosure and conflict of interest requirements, Kennedy has shown that his ethics are as malleable as his principles," Britton Loftin, Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, said. "And he will soon learn that just saying the words does not impress the people of Louisiana."

Here are just a few examples of John Kennedy's anti-reform history:

Kennedy Opposed Taking Away Benefits From Public Officials Or Employees Convicted Of Job-Related Felonies:

Kennedy sits on the state employees and firefighters' retirement system boards that voted without objection to oppose a constitutional amendment take away retirement benefits from public officials or employees convicted of public corruption, bribery, embezzlement or other charges. (The Advocate, 5/2/06, 5/25/06; Times-Picayune, 5/25/06; Minutes of the LASERS Board of Trustees, 05/26/06; Minutes of the FRS Board of Trustees, 04/13/06)

Kennedy's Representative On State Employees' Retirement Board Was Only One To Oppose Requiring Board Members To Disclose Conflicts-Of-Interest:

In 2007, Kennedy's representative was the only vote against requiring Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System board members to sign a statement saying they would follow rules in which they agree to disclose potential conflicts-of-interest, including the receipt of anything of economic value in connection with a retirement system transaction by a board member or his or her family. Note: Kennedy's representative Amy Mathews argued in the meeting against requiring board members to sign these statements. She was the only one who voted against a motion to require the signing of such statements. The motion passed seven to one. (Minutes of the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees, 2/23/07)

Two Years Before, Audit Said System Employed Inadequate Conflict-Of-Interest Procedures: According to a 2005 audit:

"Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System does not employ adequate policies and procedures to ensure that key staff members and trustees avoid potential conflicts of interest." The audit found that members of Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System' staff and trustees may have violated the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics by accepting gifts from investment managers hired by Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System. (Louisiana Legislative Auditor, Audit of the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System, 4/13/05)

Sits On State Employees' Retirement Board That Opposed Legislation Requiring Consultants & Money Managers To Disclose Conflicts-Of-Interest:

In 2004, with Kennedy on the board, the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System opposed without objection a measure requiring full disclosure to public retirement or pension plan sponsors of conflicts of interest and any payments received from money managers. Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System board approved without objection a motion to oppose the bill. Note: John Kennedy was represented at this board meeting by Susan Pappan. (Minutes of Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees, 4/23/04; Original Text of Senate Bill 835, 2004)

Meanwhile, yesterday, the Mary Landrieu Campaign commented upon the upcoming elections by stating in a e-mailing: Jay Howser, Campaign Manager for United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today commented on an announcement by Paul Hollis of Mandeville that he will enter the Republican Senate primary race with the hopes of taking on Sen. Landrieu in the November general election.

Howser said:

"We welcome Paul Hollis to the race. At the end of the day, though, we are confident that voters will choose to keep a Senator who has proven herself to be a strong voice for Louisiana. Mary Landrieu fights for the state, and she never gives up to get the job done. Plain and simple, she has the seniority it takes to deliver. She has the support of Republicans, Independents and Democrats, and we are ready for whoever her opponent may be in the fall."

Bayoubuzz Note: It’s going to be a long and hot surrogate summer.

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