The Internet is being used by advocacy groups and candidates for office in novel ways.It is a game of electronic “gotcha” in other cases it is a matter of informing the public about the news of the day:
Here is just the latest in the round of slam dunks and political news:
From Democratic Party
DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ADD THE SPIT AND POLISH TO JINDAL’S “GOLD STANDARD OF ETHICS”
Richmond’s Amendment to HB 906 Allows Better Enforcement
BATON ROUGE – We applaud Rep. Cedric Richmond and his colleagues for seeing the need to make serious changes to House Bill 906 of Jindal’s ethics reform plan by making the law not only standard, but enforceable, according to Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington.
“Democrats have always been in favor of ethical reform, but reform without the ability to enforce it, is useless,” said Whittington. “Rep. Richmond took the lead by making changes to a bill that Jindal spearheaded; one that appeared strong on paper but would have been nearly impossible to enforce.”
“Jindal campaigned on the need of a “Gold Standard” of ethics laws which he said Louisiana lacked and later pushed through a reform platform without giving much thought as to its enforcement. It is up to Democrats like Cedric Richmond, Karen Carter Peterson, Chris Roy and others to keep Jindal and his administration from creating the illusion of change in state ethics laws simply to impress others,” Whittington said.
From the LaGOP
Senator Beige Report: Volume 1
An Ongoing Examination Of Mary Landrieu’s Shady Behavior
“Louisianans know the difference between hypocrisy and honesty,” said Republican Party of Louisiana Communications Director Aaron Baer. “Mary Landrieu is not just ‘beige’ on the Democrat nomination, she’s ‘beige’ on the issues. Take immigration for example, Landrieu hopes that by flip-flopping on this issue Louisiana voters will be so confused they’ll just think she’s neutral. News flash Mary – ‘beige’ is just another way to say hypocrite.”
Landrieu is “Beige” On the Democratic Nomination. “U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is up for re-election in November and said she, too, remains neutral. ‘I’m so beige on this one,’ Landrieu said.” Yet today New Orleans Mayor (Gerard Shields, “Washington Watch for May 12, 2008,” Baton Rouge Advocate, 5/12/08)
Yet Today New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Became The 283rd Superdelegate To Endorse Barak Obama Because He Believes Obama Will Be Good For New Orleans. Why won’t Landrieu? (Barack Obama Press Release, 5/13/08)
Landrieu’s “Beige” Record On Immigration
In 2006, Landrieu Voted To Kill That An Amendment By Sen. Ensign (R-NV) That Would Have Prevents Illegal Immigrants From Receiving Social Security, But In 2007 Landrieu Voted To Deny Social Security Benefits From Being Paid For Illegal Or Fraudulent Work. (S.2611,CQ Vote #130, Motion agreed to 50-49: R 11-44; D 38-5; I 1-0, May 18, 2006, Landrieu voted Yea; H.R.2669, CQ Vote #263, Rejected 57-40: R 44-4; D 13-34; I 0-2, July 19, 2007, Landrieu Voted Yeah)
At Least 6 Times In The Last Two Years, Landrieu Has Voted For And Against Bills To Strengthen Border Security And Immigration Control.
Landrieu Voted For Establishing English As Our National Language; Before She Voted Against It. (U.S. Senate Clerk’s Tally Sheet for Roll Call Vote 131, May 18, 2006)
Landrieu Voted Against Allowing Local Law Enforcement To Question Immigration Status; Before She Voted For It. (U.S. Senate Clerk’s Tally Sheet for Roll Call Vote 177, May 24, 2007)
Landrieu Voted For Including Family-Based Green Card Applicants In Backlog Reduction And Providing A Temporary Guest Worker Program Allowing Workers To Stay In The United States For Up To Six Years, Before She Voted Against It. (U.S. Senate Clerk’s Tally Sheet for Roll Call Vote 194, June 6, 2007)
Landrieu Voted For Increasing The Number Of Green Cards For Parents Of U.S. Citizens; Before She Voted Against It. (U.S. Senate Clerk’s Tally Sheet for Roll Call Vote 232, June 27, 2007)
Landrieu Voted For Striking All References To Requirements For Issuing Secure Drivers And Identification Cards Under Current Law; Before She Voted Against It (U.S. Senate Clerk’s Tally Sheet for Roll Call Vote 234, June 27, 2007)
Landrieu Voted Against Funding For Border Patrol Vehicles, Aircraft, And Fencing; Before She Voted For It. (U.S. Senate Clerk’s Tally Sheet for Roll Call Vote 94, April 26, 2006)
From Sen. Mary Landrieu
Senator Mary Landrieu has a campaign operation for US Senate and her Office.She sends out daily press releases electronically using both vehicles.The Former is political, the latter is more news.However, in a political year, it is hard difficult to separate the difference.The followingt is from her office in Washington (not her political campaign). Keep in mind, the press releases campaign and office governmental variety were used by then Congressman Governor Bobby Jindal, by John Kennedy and by all candidates running for office.:
Landrieu Amendment Restores Flood Insurance Accountability; Underlying Bill Still Shifts Heavy Burden to La.
WASHINGTON – The United States Senate today passed a bill to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with an amendment included by Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., to ensure insurance companies are held accountable for the NFIP policies they market, sell and service.
“The Government Accountability Office recently highlighted the inherent conflict of interest that exists when private insurers evaluate wind damage versus flood damage, the latter of which the NFIP is responsible for,” Sen. Landrieu said. “This language will help reverse the trend of insurance companies pushing wind losses onto the taxpayer, and insurance companies will instead be better supervised and held accountable.
“The overall bill, however, places a great burden on Louisianians, many of whom live in coastal communities. I will push the conference committee to include my amendment in the final bill. However, I hope the compromise that results will more closely mirror the House of Representatives’ version, which protects our homeowners and businesses against drastic rate increases.”
While the Senate bill wipes away the $17.5 billion debt of the NFIP, Louisiana homeowners and businesses are left shouldering the bulk of the burden for its cost. As a result, Sen. Landrieu voted against the Senate bill today. It lacked provisions that she and other GulfCoast senators pushed for, including wind coverage and an increase in coverage limits, and it requires the purchase of flood insurance for anyone who lives behind a levee, dam or flood wall. The version that passed the House of Representatives is much more favorable to Louisiana on these issues. The House and Senate will negotiate the different versions of the bill before it is sent back to each chamber for a final vote and then to the President’s desk.
The Landrieu amendment strengthens the responsibilities of the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate, a customer service office that was created by the underlying bill. In addition to customer complaints, the amendment entrusts the flood insurance advocate with the investigation of potential instances of fraud and abuse. The advocate will conduct audits to ensure that only flood losses are allocated to the NFIP, and to ensure that the “Write-Your Own” (WYO) insurers are negotiating on behalf of the NFIP in good faith. Additional examinations will also seek to protect the program’s financial integrity and to prevent fraud, abuse and conflicts of interest. The advocate will refer criminal violations to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The advocate will develop penalties for improper conduct or for failing to cooperate in an investigation. Penalties may be monetary, but they can also result in suspension or removal of WYO insurers from the NFIP.
Only the President or the FEMA Administrator will have the power to remove the advocate, and should they do so, the amendment requires that they provide an explanation to Congress within 15 days. The advocate must have a background in representing policyholders and experience conducting investigations and audits, and the FEMA Administrator will not be able to prevent the advocate from initiating an investigation.
