Displaying items by tag: John Bel Edwards

Two weeks after the primary election, Louisiana Republicans are feeling more confident that businessman Eddie Rispone can defeat Governor John Bel Edwards in the runoff election on November 16.

While Edwards led Rispone in the primary election by a large margin of 47-27%, the total vote for the three Republican candidates reached 52%. If the Republican voters stay loyal to Rispone, he will win.

Will someone tell President Donald Trump to stop lying about John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana budget.

We watch Trump on TV. We hear him on the radio. He rants that John Bel Edwards broke his “sacred promise” to people of the State of Louisiana and raised taxes.

What he fails to say in the commercial are the words, Bobby Jindal.

The primary is over and Louisiana voters will now choose between Gov. John Bel Edwards and businessman Eddie Rispone.

If you are like me, you are sick and tired of all the mudslinging that took place.  Being factually correct and critical of a person’s record is fair game. But I was shocked at the mean-spirited attacks on Gov. Edwards.  But this is where our politics has gone. I call it Washington style politics. Ugly attacks on the opponent. Ignore the facts. And just say whatever comes to mind.  One example is President Trump’s assertion that Gov. Edwards if reelected would take away our guns. That is so false. Gov. Edwards has repeatedly stated that he is pro second amendment.  But lies don’t matter. Lies excite certain voters so lying is acceptable.

As Gomer Pile insightfully said:  Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. There were a number of them on election night in the Bayou State. Governor John Bel Edwards’ quest for a first primary victory fell flat as several factors in the final days of the campaign caused his poll numbers to plummet.  Now voters can look forward to a nasty runoff, with the airwaves filled with a boatload of negative TV and radio spots.

My my!  How things have changed.

It goes without saying that Eddie Rispone is in a surprise runoff with incumbent Democrat, John Bel Edwards for Louisiana Governor. Somehow, a very rich, but politically unknown, Rispone morphed into Donald Trump.  He, wore Trump  around his neck. He  covered himself with Trump cologne and met him at the alter last week along with fellow gubernatorial candidate and ardent Trump name-dropper, Congressman Ralph Abraham.

The results of the primary election on October 12 showed that Louisiana voters were rather interested in this campaign and the candidates. Either they realize that Louisiana is not doing well economically and want change, or they want four more years of John Bel Edwards as Governor. Regardless, 200,000 more voters participated in this election than in the 2015 election. It is a good sign that turnout increased despite a major LSU vs. Florida football game scheduled for Election Day.

For months I have been imploring President Donald Trump to get involved in the Louisiana Governor’s race before the primary election. Initially, it was reported that he would only come to Louisiana for the run-off election.

However, it soon was apparent to this commentator that without the President’s involvement, liberal Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards would probably win the election on October 12 by achieving 50% or more of the votes, thus precluding the need for a run-off election.

With the Louisiana statewide election only a few days away, and with many voters already making their way to the polls, it would seem to be a good time for me to gaze into my crystal ball and make a prediction of just who will be successful after all the vote are tallied.  As many of you regular reader well know, I generally am right on the money. (yeah, right!)

After the start of early voting and days before Election Day, President Donald Trump decided to intervene in the Louisiana Governor’s race. The intent of his Tuesday morning tweet was unmistakable. He wants to help both Republican candidates, businessman Eddie Rispone and U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham, and force incumbent Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards into a “runoff.” The President urged Republicans to vote for “either” of the candidates, referring to them as “both Great.”  

In politics, negative commercials are typical. Experts believe that it works, not in boosting turnout for the candidate attacking, but in reducing support for the candidate on the receiving end.

Thus, voters see it in almost every race. Although consultants, candidates and voters claim they do not like this form of political persuasion, it is pervasive, especially when challengers are trying to catch up to a leading candidate.