LaDem Ads, Baker and DCCC, Legislative Races, Nagin, Bush, Statewide Politics and More!
Jindal Religious Ad Ramifications, Congressman Baker in DCCC Crosshairs, Mike Walsworth, Charles Foti, Sammy Kershaw, New Orleans City Council Race, Mayor Nagin, President Bush, Katrina Anniversary and more in today’s edition of the Louisiana Political Report. Email for a FREE Trial subscription and read the entire report! Sample Articles from Inside this Issue: Speaking of Religion It may be difficult to recall, but the 1983 Treen-Edwards match-up had its own religious flare-up as well. Luckily for former Gov. Edwin Edwards, who was victorious in that race, the news didn’t reach the masses until the week before his inauguration. Shreveport Journal Editor Stanley Tiner got Edwards on the subject of religion during an interview where he discovered in Edwards’ bathroom “Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, the Bible and the latest issue of Playboy,” John Maginnis writes in The Last Hayride, which chronicles the historic contest. Tiner asked Edwards -- who was raised Catholic, born again Nazarene, then reconverted Catholic – if he believed Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried and resurrected. “No,” Edwards responded. “I think Jesus died, but I don’t believe he came back to life because that’s too much against natural law. I’m not going around preaching this, but he may have swooned, passed out or almost died, and when he was taken down, with superhuman strength, after a period of time he may have revived himself and come back to life.” Edwards also said he was more than likely not going to heaven, “just as will most people I know.” While the interview did little to stir emotions in south Louisiana, the piney woods up north were all in a tizzy. It’s the same base that the Louisiana Democratic Party targeted with its religious ads regarding Jindal, and the same demographic that was seemingly turned off by the attempt. In the end, surprising even himself possibly, Edwards got away with his bold faith-based gesture, but the modern Democratic party may not. (Jeremy Alford) Popping Foti’s Bubble Attorney General Charles Foti, a Democrat who has pulled the state into court over some of the most controversial public cases in recent memory, did a little touchdown dance last week when a federal court named him special master to file suit on behalf of all the unrepresented parties suing the feds for levees breaks in New Orleans and damages caused by the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. The decision certainly made Foti an important voice for the voiceless. “I consider this a victory,” he says. But his tone changed Wednesday when a federal appeals court ruled Foti wouldn’t be able to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval says the previous ruling was made without proper authority and Foti would not be able to play Robin Hood to needy voters. (Jeremy Alford) House Dems Getting off the Bench When former state Rep. Mitch Theriot of Raceland officially changed his registration to Republican last week, party officials patted themselves on the back for partly flipping House District 54 in Lafourche and Jefferson parishes. It was an aggressive move to “help” Theriot with his decision, no doubt offering resources, but the Dems aren’t ready to concede. John Melancon Jr., a Democrat from Golden Meadow who owns Rae Shipyards, a successful shipbuilding and repair facility, is still in the race, and he’ll be getting assistance as well. “This is simply a desperate act by a candidate who knows his fledgling campaign is in trouble and will do anything to turn it around,” said Rep. Eric La Fleur of Ville Platte, chair of the Legislative Democratic Caucus. “Democratic candidate John Melancon has been running a strong campaign and we are confident he will win in October.” It’s an early indicator that the tiny district hugging Bayou Lafourche will be a swing seat in the GOP’s efforts to capture a majority in the House. “The numbers are in our favor,” says James Quinn, executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party. “In 2004, this district overwhelmingly supported President Bush by 56 percent. It has elected a Republican before and is leaning conservative.” Theriot previously represented lower Lafourche Parish in the House from 1992 to 2000, and then lost a comeback bid four years ago to the hands of Rep. Loulan Pitre, R-Cut Off, who has decided against seeking re-election for a third term. (Jeremy Alford) Many More Articles Inside - Contact us today for a FREE Trial Subscription - just send an email to .The Louisiana Political Report provides its readers with an insider's perspective of Louisiana politics. It's specifically designed to provide you with an unbiased peek at what is really going on behind the scenes.
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