After barely winning her initial Senate race in 1996 and surviving a serious challenge in 2002, Republican strategists targeted U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat in this fall’s election.
Unfortunately for Republicans defeating Landrieu will not be an easy task. Just look at what she has done in recent weeks in lining up endorsements from a most unusual group, Northshore Republicans.
While Landrieu is considered a staunch Democrat, her voting record is notably moderate. Several months ago, GOP St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis surprised many political observers by endorsing Landrieu. Davis cited his close working relationship with Landrieu after Katrina. Landrieu’s efforts to assist the recovery after Katrina were also highlighted by a number of other Northshore Republican leaders who endorsed Landrieu last week. Joining Davis in crossing the party aisle were Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster, Covington Mayor Candace Watkins, and St. Tammany Parish Assessor Patricia Schwartz Core.
The endorsements underscore the problem that Landrieu’s Republican challenger will face in the fall election. If Landrieu can unite the Democratic Party and win at least some support among Independents and Republicans, she will win again.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Landrieu was generally given high marks for her performance, especially when compared to former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. A recent power ranking of U.S. Senators conducted by Congress.org listed Landrieu in the top third, which compares favorably to Louisiana’s other U.S. Senator, David Vitter, who ranked near the bottom, in the 85th position.
Due to the recent retirements in Louisiana’s congressional delegation, Landrieu, if re-elected, will have more seniority than any other member of our delegation except Bill Jefferson and his political future is questionable at best. In the fall campaign, Landrieu will undoubtedly make the case that her seniority will benefit the people of Louisiana.
Despite her advantages, Landrieu does face some serious challenges which may make her vulnerable in the fall election. Most significantly, Louisiana has experienced an outward migration of approximately 250,000 people due to the hurricanes and the majority of the displaced voters were registered Democrats and likely Landrieu supporters. In 1996 and 2002, Landrieu had very slim margins of victory. To win this fall, she will have to convince some people who voted against her previously to cast a ballot for her this time.
Opposing Landrieu will be State Treasurer John Kennedy, a newly registered Republican, who has done a remarkable job of galvanizing GOP support. Kennedy has been very persistent in courting the GOP establishment both in Louisiana and in WashingtonD.C. At present he is the only Republican in the race, although Secretary of State Jay Dardenne has not ruled out the possibility of challenging Kennedy in the GOP primary. Dardenne could also count on significant party support if he entered the race.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “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. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Well, congrats to those Northshore "Republicans" for stabbing our party and our state in the back. How can any intellegent human being let alone a republican support Mary Landrieu? I don't care if St. Tammany Parish President Davis worked with her after Katrina, this is the same Mary Landrieu that that threaten to punch his and our president in the face during the whole immediate crisis in the aftermath of Katrina. I think all four of those public officials need to look up the definition of the word LOYALTY Written by Louis La Guardia
on 3/29/2008
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First, most elected officials would receive a high mark when compared to former Governor Blanco and Mayor Ray Nagin.
Elected official's endorsements should be thrown out of the thought process in determining who one would vote for when you have the candidate's voting record of many years to consider.
Senator Landrieu's record provides us with all the information we need to know she does not represent the views of most citizens of this state; our last governor's race bears this out. Written by the beatle
on 3/28/2008
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The power rankings were based on among other things, their effectiveness in advancing an agenda and tenure. She's great at advancing the liberal agenda for 4 1/2 to 5 years of her term before becoming a conservative. And comparing her post Katrina actions to Blanco and Nagin, wow...you had to dig pretty low to find someone she actually did better than? Don't forget, she and Vitter introduced the same exact pork filled recovery bill right after the storm. This set the tone in Washington, now they had to keep an eye on us. As a senior member of our congressional group she spent more time bitching, complaining, protecting the inept Nagin & Blanco, threatening to punch the President, and wearing the bright yellow wind breaker to all the press conferences(in case we couldn't see her?) than doing her job and helping the people of this state recover from this disaster. She is a self serving politician and it's time we cleaned house and started over. I would rather have a rookie in there than this "powerful" senator! Written by Sid
on 3/28/2008
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A recent article on another blog pointed out that Mary Landrieu only votes moderate when she is running for office. For the other 5 years she can be counted on by the far left to support any bill they bring forward. Watching her speeches on the Senate Floor reminds one of a pouting child throwing a temper tantrum as much as a legislator attempting to pass legislation they have written which brings up another point. Mary is famous for shall we say borrowing language from others.
Written by Sharon
on 3/27/2008
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And that is relevant to what? Written by Dance, dance, dance...............................
on 3/27/2008
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hey dance did ya know francoise was busted for a 4th dwi Written by lil' dab will do
on 3/27/2008
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"Landrieu was generally given high marks for her performance,", Well, I guess you got that right Jeffy........ Performance, and the actor was interesting to watch on C-Span........ Sort of like watching Bab's eyballs twitching like she had an affliction of sorts. (Hmmmmm could that affliction have been stupidity based?) Written by Dance, dance, dance...............................
on 3/27/2008
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After barely winning her initial Senate race in 1996 and surviving a serious challenge in 2002, Republican strategists targeted U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat in this fall’s election. 
