Monday, March 3, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Breaking...
From ABC News:
Mitt Romney to Endorse John McCain
February 14, 2008 1:32 PM
ABC News' George Stephanopoulos and John Berman Report: Former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., is planning on endorsing his former Republican rival Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
A source familiar with the decision said the endorsement will take place this afternoon at Romney for President headquarters in Boston at 3:30pmET.
Romney will ask his delegates to support McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
The former governor made his decision to endorse today in the interest of helping McCain gain the 1,191 delegates he needs to secure the party nomination and unite the party for the general election against the Democrats in November.
Romney campaign manager Beth Myers notified McCain campaign manager Rick Davis in a telephone call today of Romney's decision, and they immediately made arrangements for an announcement in Boston this afternoon since McCain was campaigning in Rhode Island today.
After McCain's townhall meeting near Providence this afternoon, the campaign is flying to Boston for the endorsement.
Romney and McCain will meet today before they both announce the formal endorsement at a press conference.
Mitt Romney to Endorse John McCain
February 14, 2008 1:32 PM
ABC News' George Stephanopoulos and John Berman Report: Former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., is planning on endorsing his former Republican rival Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
A source familiar with the decision said the endorsement will take place this afternoon at Romney for President headquarters in Boston at 3:30pmET.
Romney will ask his delegates to support McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
The former governor made his decision to endorse today in the interest of helping McCain gain the 1,191 delegates he needs to secure the party nomination and unite the party for the general election against the Democrats in November.
Romney campaign manager Beth Myers notified McCain campaign manager Rick Davis in a telephone call today of Romney's decision, and they immediately made arrangements for an announcement in Boston this afternoon since McCain was campaigning in Rhode Island today.
After McCain's townhall meeting near Providence this afternoon, the campaign is flying to Boston for the endorsement.
Romney and McCain will meet today before they both announce the formal endorsement at a press conference.
Vice President Bobby Jindal?
From American Thinker:
By Elizabeth Weber Levy
Friday, February 8, 2008, I nearly fainted while listening to Rush Limbaugh's radio program. What caused the near swoon was a conversation Rush had with a caller, Kelly in Denver, about possibilities for a vice presidential candidate on a McCain ticket. Several names were mentioned, in the course of the conversation, then the thunderclap:
"Bobby Jindal. I did an interview with Bobby Jindal. He is the next Ronald Reagan, if he doesn't change. Bobby Jindal, the new governor of Louisiana is the next Ronald Reagan."
All that was thrilling to hear, -- and, knowing Governor Jindal well, I heartily agree -- but Bobby Jindal hasn't yet been governor for a month. Rush, I love ya, honey, but could we please hang onto Bobby for at least one term? True, he's a stunning whiz kid and, very likely, will accomplish a great deal in eight or nine months, but please. Is four years of sorely needed leadership for a state that has an annoying and alarming propensity for drowning, figuratively and literally, too much to ask? Please don't suggest we give him up, yet. Please!
Nevertheless, even typically cynical, albeit respected, Louisiana political analyst, John Maginnis, believes that Governor Jindal's performance, beginning with the current Special Legislative Session regarding much needed ethics reform, will draw national attention:
"As difficult as this ethics session will be, the issues to follow will be tougher, from transportation funding to the reinvention of public healthcare. How well Jindal fares will be a matter of national interest, though it's reasonable to predict that his job for the next year will be more challenging than that of the next vice president of the United States."
Could it be that Maginnis agrees, however obliquely, that Louisiana needs Governor Jindal more than the country does, at this point? His interesting challenge comparison makes me wonder.
Note: According to Louisiana Constitution 4: 14, should Bobby leave office to run for vice president of the Unites States, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu would assume the governor's office. Uh, no!
By Elizabeth Weber Levy
Friday, February 8, 2008, I nearly fainted while listening to Rush Limbaugh's radio program. What caused the near swoon was a conversation Rush had with a caller, Kelly in Denver, about possibilities for a vice presidential candidate on a McCain ticket. Several names were mentioned, in the course of the conversation, then the thunderclap:
"Bobby Jindal. I did an interview with Bobby Jindal. He is the next Ronald Reagan, if he doesn't change. Bobby Jindal, the new governor of Louisiana is the next Ronald Reagan."
All that was thrilling to hear, -- and, knowing Governor Jindal well, I heartily agree -- but Bobby Jindal hasn't yet been governor for a month. Rush, I love ya, honey, but could we please hang onto Bobby for at least one term? True, he's a stunning whiz kid and, very likely, will accomplish a great deal in eight or nine months, but please. Is four years of sorely needed leadership for a state that has an annoying and alarming propensity for drowning, figuratively and literally, too much to ask? Please don't suggest we give him up, yet. Please!
Nevertheless, even typically cynical, albeit respected, Louisiana political analyst, John Maginnis, believes that Governor Jindal's performance, beginning with the current Special Legislative Session regarding much needed ethics reform, will draw national attention:
"As difficult as this ethics session will be, the issues to follow will be tougher, from transportation funding to the reinvention of public healthcare. How well Jindal fares will be a matter of national interest, though it's reasonable to predict that his job for the next year will be more challenging than that of the next vice president of the United States."
Could it be that Maginnis agrees, however obliquely, that Louisiana needs Governor Jindal more than the country does, at this point? His interesting challenge comparison makes me wonder.
Note: According to Louisiana Constitution 4: 14, should Bobby leave office to run for vice president of the Unites States, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu would assume the governor's office. Uh, no!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Caucus Volunteers Needed
Republican volunteers from the Cenla area are needed for the caucus Tuesday, January 22 from 4:30 til 9:00 p.m. We need help with registration, polling etc. Anyone interested, please contact me. Thanks, Gena Gore
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
LAGOP Caucus
When: Tuesday, January 22, 2008
What time: 5 pm - 8 pm
Where: Walden Gym, Louisiana College, Pineville
Why: To elect 15 delegates and 15 alternates, all from the 5th Congressional District, to attend the Louisiana Republican Convention that will convene on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at 10 am, at the Old State Capitol, in Baton Rouge.
Who can play: Those who have a photo ID and have been registered Republicans since November 30, 2007.
What time: 5 pm - 8 pm
Where: Walden Gym, Louisiana College, Pineville
Why: To elect 15 delegates and 15 alternates, all from the 5th Congressional District, to attend the Louisiana Republican Convention that will convene on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at 10 am, at the Old State Capitol, in Baton Rouge.
Who can play: Those who have a photo ID and have been registered Republicans since November 30, 2007.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
What honeymoon?
Opinion from The Advocate:
Jindal lawyer ties troubling
Published: Dec 20, 2007 - Page: 6B
When Bobby Jindal was running for governor, he promised an ethical administration far above the standards of the past. But Jindal’s pick for executive counsel, an enormously influential position as the Governor’s Office attorney, hopes to retain some interest, of some sort, in his law firm in Pineville while serving the state full-time in Baton Rouge.
Unfortunately, among the main clients of Jimmy Faircloth’s Pineville firm is the Coushatta tribe and its giant casino complex in Kinder.
This puts gambling interests in a key position in the Governor’s Office.
What the incoming administration is going to do about this is not clear, but the initial responses to criticism of Faircloth’s appointment are not encouraging.
Jindal spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said that Faircloth is arranging a buy-out of his interest in the firm, but Faircloth said in an interview that he would retain some tie to it.
Faircloth said he would recommend that Jindal appoint a special counsel to handle Indian gambling questions facing the new administration.
We don’t think that’s enough.
For one thing, the governor must sign off on compacts between the state and the Indian tribes. While a special counsel could handle those cases, Faircloth would be in a position to influence decisions behind the scenes.
Further, the Indian tribes often are embroiled in conflicts with other gambling companies over legislation about the scope of competitive gambling operations. As executive counsel, Faircloth would be in a position to help the tribes in a huge way, albeit indirectly.
In the past, executive counsels have included people with direct and continuing financial interests in firms representing clients before state agencies. That’s not appropriate today.
Faircloth’s situation is different, but his once and future financial interest as a lawyer for gambling interests is a potential conflict.It is a distraction in one of the most demanding jobs in state government.
However well Faircloth conducts himself, his desire to return to the firm after his service in the Governor’s Office will raise questions whenever any decision is made by Jindal involving gambling.
Jindal lawyer ties troubling
Published: Dec 20, 2007 - Page: 6B
When Bobby Jindal was running for governor, he promised an ethical administration far above the standards of the past. But Jindal’s pick for executive counsel, an enormously influential position as the Governor’s Office attorney, hopes to retain some interest, of some sort, in his law firm in Pineville while serving the state full-time in Baton Rouge.
Unfortunately, among the main clients of Jimmy Faircloth’s Pineville firm is the Coushatta tribe and its giant casino complex in Kinder.
This puts gambling interests in a key position in the Governor’s Office.
What the incoming administration is going to do about this is not clear, but the initial responses to criticism of Faircloth’s appointment are not encouraging.
Jindal spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said that Faircloth is arranging a buy-out of his interest in the firm, but Faircloth said in an interview that he would retain some tie to it.
Faircloth said he would recommend that Jindal appoint a special counsel to handle Indian gambling questions facing the new administration.
We don’t think that’s enough.
For one thing, the governor must sign off on compacts between the state and the Indian tribes. While a special counsel could handle those cases, Faircloth would be in a position to influence decisions behind the scenes.
Further, the Indian tribes often are embroiled in conflicts with other gambling companies over legislation about the scope of competitive gambling operations. As executive counsel, Faircloth would be in a position to help the tribes in a huge way, albeit indirectly.
In the past, executive counsels have included people with direct and continuing financial interests in firms representing clients before state agencies. That’s not appropriate today.
Faircloth’s situation is different, but his once and future financial interest as a lawyer for gambling interests is a potential conflict.It is a distraction in one of the most demanding jobs in state government.
However well Faircloth conducts himself, his desire to return to the firm after his service in the Governor’s Office will raise questions whenever any decision is made by Jindal involving gambling.
State Caucuses
From The Town Talk:
Caucuses will be held Jan. 22 in Pineville, Natchitoches and nine other locations in Louisiana to elect delegates to the 2008 Louisiana Republican Convention.
The process for electing delegates was announced by Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger F. Villere Jr.
The state's Republican voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 11 different caucus sites to cast their ballots for delegates and alternate delegates to the 2008 Louisiana Republican Convention. Voters will cast ballots from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
"We're excited about the upcoming caucuses," Villere said. "I believe this system will allow Louisiana Republicans to have a strong impact on the election of the next president of the United States."
The state convention will choose the bulk of Louisiana's delegates to the 2008 Republican National Convention. Louisiana will have a total of 47 delegates and 44 alternates to the national convention in Minneapolis, Minn.
Three of Louisiana's delegate spots are already decided. Under RNC Rules, Villere, National Committeeman Ross Little Jr. and National Committeewoman Kay Kellogg Katz serve as automatic national convention delegates.
State convention delegates will choose the remaining 44 national delegates and alternates and will adopt an official platform for the Republican Party of Louisiana.
Voters will be assigned to caucus sites based on the parish where they are registered to vote.
Fifteen delegates and 15 alternates to the state convention will be elected from each congressional district. Republican voters are eligible to vote in the congressional district where they were registered on Nov. 30 of this year. In order to participate, voters must present a driver's license or valid photo ID.
Those wishing to run for delegate or alternate delegate must submit an application to the Republican Party of Louisiana. Applications must be received at Republican Party State Headquarters, 11440 North Lake Sherwood, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 10, along with a qualifying fee of $100 for delegate candidates or $50 for alternate delegate candidates.
Application forms and instructions are available at www.lagop.com or by calling (225) 928-2998.
The state convention will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. All of Louisiana's 2008 national convention delegates will be uncommitted, except that if a presidential candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the Feb. 9 presidential preference primary, state party rules require 20 of Louisiana's at-large delegates to support that candidate on the first ballot of the national convention.
If no presidential candidate receives a majority on Feb. 9, the at-large delegates will be uncommitted.
The caucus site in Natchitoches is at the Natchitoches Events Center, and serves Sabine, Natchitoches and Winn residents.
The Pineville caucus will be in Walden Gym at Louisiana College and serves Rapides, Vernon, Avoyelles, Concordia, Catahoula, Grant and LaSalle residents.
The Lake Charles caucus at the Central School Arts & Center will serve Beauregard and Allen residents, among others.
The Lafayette caucus at The Family Church will serve Evangeline residents, among others.
Caucuses will be held Jan. 22 in Pineville, Natchitoches and nine other locations in Louisiana to elect delegates to the 2008 Louisiana Republican Convention.
The process for electing delegates was announced by Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger F. Villere Jr.
The state's Republican voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 11 different caucus sites to cast their ballots for delegates and alternate delegates to the 2008 Louisiana Republican Convention. Voters will cast ballots from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
"We're excited about the upcoming caucuses," Villere said. "I believe this system will allow Louisiana Republicans to have a strong impact on the election of the next president of the United States."
The state convention will choose the bulk of Louisiana's delegates to the 2008 Republican National Convention. Louisiana will have a total of 47 delegates and 44 alternates to the national convention in Minneapolis, Minn.
Three of Louisiana's delegate spots are already decided. Under RNC Rules, Villere, National Committeeman Ross Little Jr. and National Committeewoman Kay Kellogg Katz serve as automatic national convention delegates.
State convention delegates will choose the remaining 44 national delegates and alternates and will adopt an official platform for the Republican Party of Louisiana.
Voters will be assigned to caucus sites based on the parish where they are registered to vote.
Fifteen delegates and 15 alternates to the state convention will be elected from each congressional district. Republican voters are eligible to vote in the congressional district where they were registered on Nov. 30 of this year. In order to participate, voters must present a driver's license or valid photo ID.
Those wishing to run for delegate or alternate delegate must submit an application to the Republican Party of Louisiana. Applications must be received at Republican Party State Headquarters, 11440 North Lake Sherwood, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 10, along with a qualifying fee of $100 for delegate candidates or $50 for alternate delegate candidates.
Application forms and instructions are available at www.lagop.com or by calling (225) 928-2998.
The state convention will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. All of Louisiana's 2008 national convention delegates will be uncommitted, except that if a presidential candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the Feb. 9 presidential preference primary, state party rules require 20 of Louisiana's at-large delegates to support that candidate on the first ballot of the national convention.
If no presidential candidate receives a majority on Feb. 9, the at-large delegates will be uncommitted.
The caucus site in Natchitoches is at the Natchitoches Events Center, and serves Sabine, Natchitoches and Winn residents.
The Pineville caucus will be in Walden Gym at Louisiana College and serves Rapides, Vernon, Avoyelles, Concordia, Catahoula, Grant and LaSalle residents.
The Lake Charles caucus at the Central School Arts & Center will serve Beauregard and Allen residents, among others.
The Lafayette caucus at The Family Church will serve Evangeline residents, among others.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Whew.
Alexander Statement on Passage of SCHIP Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, today released the following statement regarding House passage of a bill that contained language to reauthorize and fully fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through March 31, 2009, without expanding or extending eligibility definitions beyond current guidelines.
“Reaching this conclusion has been a long journey, but today the House of Representatives finally passed legislation that will ensure this vital health program continues to keep its focus on children whose families cannot afford private health insurance,” Alexander said.
“While increasing funds to meet the growing needs of the current program, this bill ensures SCHIP will stay true to the purpose for which it was established without burdening America’s taxpayers with the tax hike previous versions of the bill contained.”
While serving as Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee in the Louisiana State Legislature, Alexander, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, worked to launch the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP), which receives funding through SCHIP.
Alexander said thousands of Louisiana children qualify for the program but are not enrolled, and he encourages parents to call the LaCHIP office at (877) 252-2447 to learn if their children are eligible to receive benefits.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, today released the following statement regarding House passage of a bill that contained language to reauthorize and fully fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through March 31, 2009, without expanding or extending eligibility definitions beyond current guidelines.
“Reaching this conclusion has been a long journey, but today the House of Representatives finally passed legislation that will ensure this vital health program continues to keep its focus on children whose families cannot afford private health insurance,” Alexander said.
“While increasing funds to meet the growing needs of the current program, this bill ensures SCHIP will stay true to the purpose for which it was established without burdening America’s taxpayers with the tax hike previous versions of the bill contained.”
While serving as Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee in the Louisiana State Legislature, Alexander, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, worked to launch the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP), which receives funding through SCHIP.
Alexander said thousands of Louisiana children qualify for the program but are not enrolled, and he encourages parents to call the LaCHIP office at (877) 252-2447 to learn if their children are eligible to receive benefits.
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