New Orleans, Louisiana--Last week, in asking for fundraising money, a political shot was heard across the city over the Internet.  Mayoral candidate, James Perry, said in an email, “Right now, we have an opportunity to show those people that the change we need is possible... that we don't have to settle for the same old politicians trying to convince us that they are something they're not.

In fact, just yesterday a lifelong Republican multi-millionaire, and his checkbook, entered the race but announced he has become a Democrat simply to increase his chances of winning because, as his senior adviser put it, being a Democrat is "more in the line with the community."

That's just New Orleans politics as usual and it's exactly what our city doesn't need in its next Mayor.”

Georges announced his candidacy last week and also said he had received over 500,000 in a fundraiser he held earlier last month.   Pundits consider Georges to be one of the leading candidates to reach a runoff.

Perry also said in his email last week that his campaign and just began its “Ten Days for Change” and has already reached its goal to obtain 850 total donations.  

On Monday, the Georges campaign announced that Georges will meet with Lakeview residents Monday, November 9th, at 6 pm at the Nola Beans Coffee Shop at 762 Harrison Avenue.  The meeting remains scheduled since Hurricane Ida is weakening and turning towards the northeast.   

Georges formally announced his candidacy for Mayor of New Orleans at L'il Dizzy's Café in the historic Treme District.  

Health Care Vote 

With the United States House of Representatives passing its version of the Health Care bill this Saturday night, it spotlighted the notion that candidates might do whatever it takes to get elected or re-elected.

By a 220-215 vote, the House with the support of Anh “Joseph” Cao, a New Orleans area Republican passed the very controversial legislation.  Cao is running for re-election from a heavily minority-dominated district once controlled by William Bill Jefferson, who has been convicted of federal crimes.

Cao was the only Republican voting with the Democrats. 

Cao is said to have voted with the majority of his district who wanted the reform, but, he exacted a change to prevent federally-funded abortions.

Meanwhile, Charlie Melancon, a Democrat, who is running against David Vitter and who has been criticized by Republicans and Senator Vitter as helping President Obama and Nancy Pelosi pass the health care legislation actually voted “no”  in the House vote.

In a comment after the vote, Melancon said, U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) made the following statement tonight after he voted against the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) in the U.S. House of Representatives:

“I’ll work with anyone, or stand up to anyone, when it comes to what's best for Louisiana.  And the healthcare bill I voted against today in the House doesn't work for Louisiana. 

“In these tough economic times, we've got to be smarter about getting government spending and the deficit under control, and the House's health care bill simply costs too much. 

“And I can’t support a government-run insurance option that the people of Louisiana don't want.

“In the coming months, I will keep listening to folks in Louisiana and working with people from both sides of the aisle.

“And I’ll keep working for smarter, more fiscally-responsible, market-based healthcare reforms that protect the sanctity of life.

“Together, we will find a way to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Louisianians, and bring down the rising cost of health care in this country.”

By Melancon voting “no”  on the very controversial health care bill and by Cao voting “yes”, both candidates for Louisiana US Senate and Louisiana representative to Congress have mitigated criticism by their respective opponents in their races on that particular issue.  

Louisiana has been firmly against the Democratic health care legislation.

Cao was heavily courted by the President for his vote even to the point that during the President’s visit to New Orleans last month, Obama positively commented upon the “looks” of his family.