Rapides Parish Republican Women's Club

Turn it up...

2008-03-03T12:19:00.001-05:00

Breaking...

2008-02-14T14:01:00.003-05:00

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.

Vice President Bobby Jindal?

2008-02-14T11:41:00.004-05:00

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!

Are we giddy, yet?

2008-01-15T11:06:00.001-05:00

Caucus Volunteers Needed

2008-01-11T15:07:00.000-05:00

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

LAGOP Caucus

2008-01-09T10:47:00.000-05:00

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 honeymoon?

2007-12-20T10:04:00.000-05:00

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.

State Caucuses

2007-12-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

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.

Whew.

2007-12-19T17:08:00.000-05:00

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.

Ann Coulter: “Huckabee is the Republican Jimmy Carter.”

2007-12-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

Fred! on Huckabee: "He's not a conservative."

2007-12-19T10:56:00.000-05:00

Qualifying begins today.

2007-12-12T10:05:00.000-05:00

From Chuck Coker:

A little known election is approaching. It involves the election at the precinct and district levels for representatives of both political parties. It is the election of individuals to both the Rapides Parish Executive Committees (PEC) for both parties, and the individuals for both parties who will sit on the State Central Committees (SCC) for the next four years. The terms for the current PEC and SCC members will end onMarch 3, 2008.

In the case of the PEC’s, those elected from each party will then choose the slate of officers for the next four years. It should be noted that the Chairman of both PEC’s are automatically on the Parish Board Election Supervisors, along with the Parish Registrar of Voters, the Parish Clerk of Court, a Member appointed by the Governor, and the Registrar of Parish Voters. The Board is responsible for the preparation and conduct of all elections in the parish.

Qualifying for these positions will be December 12, 13, and 14 at the Clerk of Court Office at the Courthouse, and if more than one individual qualifies for a position, the election will take place on February 9, the Presidential Preference Primary, held statewide.Qualifications for these parish positions are stated that “The candidate shall meet the qualifications established by the rules and regulations ofthe state central committee of the political party. (Candidates must be registered voters and affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican party in the precinct or district for which they are qualifying for). The voter registration card issued to each registered voter will indicate which precinct or district each person is in, or individuals may check with the Registrar's Office if he or she is unsure of which district or precinct he or she is assigned.

According to the Rapides Clerk of Court office, it is not publicizing this election because it is not its responsibility, but the responsibility of the Secretary of State’s office. So far, it is not known if the Secretary of State has done so.

At the time of qualification, candidates must submit a qualifying fee. For Democrats, it is $112.00, and for Republicans, the fee is $75.00. The fees collected will be given to the political parties, and it is the political parties that determine what the fees will be for the election, according to the Rapides Clerk of Court office.

Ouch.

2007-12-10T09:52:00.000-05:00

La.’s influence dwindling

McCrery departure, added to others, lessens state power in D.C.

By GERARD SHIELDS
Advocate Washington bureau
Published: Dec 9, 2007 - Page: 1A

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery’s decision not to seek another term next year further dilutes Louisiana’s political power in Washington, where the departure may amount to the state losing close to a century of seniority in four years.

The Shreveport Republican announced Friday that he will not seek a 10th two-year term, taking with him 20 years of experience and the state’s ranking member status on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee that writes the nation’s tax laws.

In 2004, the state lost 52 years of seniority with the retirement of former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, D-La., who had 28 years, and former U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-Chackbay, who had 24. U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, faces a public corruption trial next year that could wipe out another 20 years of service.

“I haven’t done a study, but I can’t think of another state that is in worse condition,” said Elliot Stonecipher, a Shreveport political consultant. “This hurts, this hurts bad.”

U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge, remains the dean of the Louisiana congressional delegation with 21 years in office. Rumors have swirled that Baker also may parachute out of the House, which is now controlled by the Democratic Party, though Baker has given no indication of such a move.

Baker could not be reached for comment on Saturday. A call to his Baton Rouge home was not returned.

A quiet congressman who preferred diving into the details of federal policy, McCrery’s behind-the-scenes expertise made him a player on key issues facing the U.S.

McCrery, 58, led President Bush’s failed attempt to privatize Social Security and McCrery made a proposal to do the same to Medicare.

More recently, McCrery has been the GOP point man in the battle to fix the alternative minimum tax. The levy once targeted wealthier income-earners but has increasingly crept into the pockets of the middle class.

A former Democrat, McCrery has been described by Washington media as “pragmatic as a business CEO.” In Louisiana, he has fought to protect Fort Polk and Barksdale Air Force Base in his district, while pushing for more federal money for Interstates 49 and 69.

“Members of Congress can literally wheel and deal for whatever we need,” said Bernie Pinsonat, a pollster for Southern Media and Research in Baton Rouge. “We were once one of the most-powerful states in the country eight short years ago and whether you like it or not, seniority is the game in Washington.”

McCrery’s interest in politics began at age 11 when he made up a “Nixon for President” sign for his front yard. A slight, fair-haired man, McCrery became student-body president in high school, defeating a popular quarterback by setting up a telephone bank and talking to 800 students.

After graduating from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1975, the married father of two sons went into private practice in his hometown of Leesville. He then put in two years as an assistant Shreveport city attorney.

As a Democrat in 1981, he worked for former U.S. Rep. Buddy Roemer in Roemer’s Shreveport district office and later became Roemer’s legislative director in Washington.

He returned to the state in 1984 to become a lobbyist for Georgia-Pacific Corp. in Baton Rouge. Political analysts predict that McCrery, after leaving Congress, would join the lobbying ranks in Washington.

“Jim is really a smart guy, he’s not your typical congressman,” Stonecipher said. “He will go the way of Billy Tauzin and the rest of them.”

Tauzin took a $2 million-a-year job as president and chief executive officer of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association.

Breaux joined the top lobbying firm of Patton Boggs before recently announcing the formation of his own lobbying group. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Livingston, R-Metairie, resigned in 1998 and also started his own lobbying firm, which now ranks in the top 20 in Washington.

In 1987, McCrery joined a list of Southern conservative Democrats who switched to the GOP. A year later, he succeeded Roemer in Congress after Roemer’s election to the Louisiana governorship.

McCrery’s departure will also be a loss to the House Republican leadership. McCrery has been a chief fundraiser for campaigns of fellow Republicans. In 2004, he raised $1.3 million, giving away a half-million dollars to colleagues.

His campaign support caused fellow Republicans to predict that McCrery would become the Ways and Means chairman in 2004, succeeding his longtime ally, U.S. Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif. But the takeover of the House by Democrats crippled McCrery’s political future

McCrery is the 18th Republican serving in this Congress to announce a decision to step down.

“He was disappointed that the House lost the majority because he lost his Ways and Means seat,” said G. Pearson Cross, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette political scientist. “On the House side, we’re losing someone very important.”

Very cool, Mike. Very.

2007-12-07T11:15:00.000-05:00

We're proud of you, Mike!

Former State Rep. Mike Futrell Receives Bronze Star For Service In Iraq

Louisiana Political News Service

(Baton Rouge, LA) – In a special ceremony held at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Navy Commander Mike Futrell was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his military service in Iraq during 2006 and 2007.

The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to Commander Futrell by Army Chief of Staff General George Casey at a ceremony officiated by Army Director of Staff Lieutenant General Thomas Campbell. The award cites Futrell for exception leadership while serving with Multi-National Forces and the First Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq, noting he traveled extensively in Iraq and was repeatedly exposed to direct threat by the enemy.

The Bronze Star Medal was first authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 4, 1944 and is awarded for heroic or exceptionally meritorious service while engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with an opposing foreign force.

Mike Futrell is a Baton Rouge native and Navy reservist who was mobilized to active duty in 2006 for one year’s service in Iraq. He is Commanding Officer of a joint Army-Navy unit operating in Birmingham, Alabama.

Futrell has previously served as a member of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council and a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He now works as Louisiana State Director for United States Senator David Vitter.

(Commander Futrell is being highly touted as the potential Republican candidate for Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge.)

Great speech, Mitt. Thank you.

2007-12-06T17:03:00.000-05:00

"Faith in America," delivered Thursday at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

Romney: Thank you, Mr. President, for your kind introduction.

"It is an honor to be here today. This is an inspiring place because of you and the first lady, and because of the film exhibited across the way in the Presidential library. For those who have not seen it, it shows the President as a young pilot, shot down during the Second World War, being rescued from his life-raft by the crew of an American submarine. It is a moving reminder that when America has faced challenge and peril, Americans rise to the occasion, willing to risk their very lives to defend freedom and preserve our nation. We are in your debt. Thank you, Mr. President.

"Mr. President, your generation rose to the occasion, first to defeat Fascism and then to vanquish the Soviet Union. You left us, your children, a free and strong America. It is why we call yours the greatest generation. It is now my generation's turn. How we respond to today's challenges will define our generation. And it will determine what kind of America we will leave our children, and theirs.

"America faces a new generation of challenges. Radical violent Islam seeks to destroy us. An emerging China endeavors to surpass our economic leadership. And we are troubled at home by government overspending, overuse of foreign oil, and the breakdown of the family.

"Over the last year, we have embarked on a national debate on how best to preserve American leadership. Today, I wish to address a topic which I believe is fundamental to America's greatness: our religious liberty. I will also offer perspectives on how my own faith would inform my presidency, if I were elected.

"There are some who may feel that religion is not a matter to be seriously considered in the context of the weighty threats that face us. If so, they are at odds with the nation's founders, for they, when our nation faced its greatest peril, sought the blessings of the Creator. And further, they discovered the essential connection between the survival of a free land and the protection of religious freedom. In John Adams' words: 'We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion... Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people.'

"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone.

"Given our grand tradition of religious tolerance and liberty, some wonder whether there are any questions regarding an aspiring candidate's religion that are appropriate. I believe there are. And I will answer them today.

"Almost 50 years ago another candidate from Massachusetts explained that he was an American running for president, not a Catholic running for president. Like him, I am an American running for president. I do not define my candidacy by my religion. A person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith.

"Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin.

"As governor, I tried to do the right as best I knew it, serving the law and answering to the Constitution. I did not confuse the particular teachings of my church with the obligations of the office and of the Constitution - and of course, I would not do so as president. I will put no doctrine of any church above the plain duties of the office and the sovereign authority of the law.

"As a young man, Lincoln described what he called America's 'political religion' - the commitment to defend the rule of law and the Constitution. When I place my hand on the Bible and take the oath of office, that oath becomes my highest promise to God. If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest. A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States.

"There are some for whom these commitments are not enough. They would prefer it if I would simply distance myself from my religion, say that it is more a tradition than my personal conviction, or disavow one or another of its precepts. That I will not do. I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers - I will be true to them and to my beliefs.

"Some believe that such a confession of my faith will sink my candidacy. If they are right, so be it. But I think they underestimate the American people. Americans do not respect believers of convenience.

Americans tire of those who would jettison their beliefs, even to gain the world.

"There is one fundamental question about which I often am asked. What do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. My church's beliefs about Christ may not all be the same as those of other faiths. Each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These are not bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance. Religious tolerance would be a shallow principle indeed if it were reserved only for faiths with which we agree.

"There are some who would have a presidential candidate describe and explain his church's distinctive doctrines. To do so would enable the very religious test the founders prohibited in the Constitution. No candidate should become the spokesman for his faith. For if he becomes president he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths.

"I believe that every faith I have encountered draws its adherents closer to God. And in every faith I have come to know, there are features I wish were in my own: I love the profound ceremony of the Catholic Mass, the approachability of God in the prayers of the Evangelicals, the tenderness of spirit among the Pentecostals, the confident independence of the Lutherans, the ancient traditions of the Jews, unchanged through the ages, and the commitment to frequent prayer of the Muslims. As I travel across the country and see our towns and cities, I am always moved by the many houses of worship with their steeples, all pointing to heaven, reminding us of the source of life's blessings.

"It is important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions. And where the affairs of our nation are concerned, it's usually a sound rule to focus on the latter - on the great moral principles that urge us all on a common course. Whether it was the cause of abolition, or civil rights, or the right to life itself, no movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people.

"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America - the religion of secularism. They are wrong.

"The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust.

"We should acknowledge the Creator as did the Founders - in ceremony and word. He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our history, and during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places. Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our constitution rests. I will take care to separate the affairs of government from any religion, but I will not separate us from 'the God who gave us liberty.'

"Nor would I separate us from our religious heritage. Perhaps the most important question to ask a person of faith who seeks a political office, is this: does he share these American values: the equality of human kind, the obligation to serve one another, and a steadfast commitment to liberty?

"They are not unique to any one denomination. They belong to the great moral inheritance we hold in common. They are the firm ground on which Americans of different faiths meet and stand as a nation, united.

"We believe that every single human being is a child of God - we are all part of the human family. The conviction of the inherent and inalienable worth of every life is still the most revolutionary political proposition ever advanced. John Adams put it that we are 'thrown into the world all equal and alike.'

"The consequence of our common humanity is our responsibility to one another, to our fellow Americans foremost, but also to every child of God. It is an obligation which is fulfilled by Americans every day, here and across the globe, without regard to creed or race or nationality.

"Americans acknowledge that liberty is a gift of God, not an indulgence of government. No people in the history of the world have sacrificed as much for liberty. The lives of hundreds of thousands of America's sons and daughters were laid down during the last century to preserve freedom, for us and for freedom loving people throughout the world. America took nothing from that Century's terrible wars - no land from Germany or Japan or Korea; no treasure; no oath of fealty. America's resolve in the defense of liberty has been tested time and again. It has not been found wanting, nor must it ever be. America must never falter in holding high the banner of freedom.

"These American values, this great moral heritage, is shared and lived in my religion as it is in yours. I was taught in my home to honor God and love my neighbor. I saw my father march with Martin Luther King. I saw my parents provide compassionate care to others, in personal ways to people nearby, and in just as consequential ways in leading national volunteer movements. I am moved by the Lord's words: 'For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me...'

"My faith is grounded on these truths. You can witness them in Ann and my marriage and in our family. We are a long way from perfect and we have surely stumbled along the way, but our aspirations, our values, are the self-same as those from the other faiths that stand upon this common foundation. And these convictions will indeed inform my presidency.

"Today's generations of Americans have always known religious liberty. Perhaps we forget the long and arduous path our nation's forbearers took to achieve it. They came here from England to seek freedom of religion. But upon finding it for themselves, they at first denied it to others. Because of their diverse beliefs, Ann Hutchinson was exiled from Massachusetts Bay, a banished Roger Williams founded Rhode Island, and two centuries later, Brigham Young set out for the West. Americans were unable to accommodate their commitment to their own faith with an appreciation for the convictions of others to different faiths. In this, they were very much like those of the European nations they had left.

"It was in Philadelphia that our founding fathers defined a revolutionary vision of liberty, grounded on self evident truths about the equality of all, and the inalienable rights with which each is endowed by his Creator.

"We cherish these sacred rights, and secure them in our Constitutional order. Foremost do we protect religious liberty, not as a matter of policy but as a matter of right. There will be no established church, and we are guaranteed the free exercise of our religion.

"I'm not sure that we fully appreciate the profound implications of our tradition of religious liberty. I have visited many of the magnificent cathedrals in Europe. They are so inspired . so grand . so empty. Raised up over generations, long ago, so many of the cathedrals now stand as the postcard backdrop to societies just too busy or too 'enlightened' to venture inside and kneel in prayer. The establishment of state religions in Europe did no favor to Europe's churches. And though you will find many people of strong faith there, the churches themselves seem to be withering away.

"Infinitely worse is the other extreme, the creed of conversion by conquest: violent Jihad, murder as martyrdom... killing Christians, Jews, and Muslims with equal indifference. These radical Islamists do their preaching not by reason or example, but in the coercion of minds and the shedding of blood. We face no greater danger today than theocratic tyranny, and the boundless suffering these states and groups could inflict if given the chance.

The diversity of our cultural expression, and the vibrancy of our religious dialogue, has kept America in the forefront of civilized nations even as others regard religious freedom as something to be destroyed.

In such a world, we can be deeply thankful that we live in a land where reason and religion are friends and allies in the cause of liberty, joined against the evils and dangers of the day. And you can be certain of this: Any believer in religious freedom, any person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty, has a friend and ally in me. And so it is for hundreds of millions of our countrymen: We do not insist on a single strain of religion — rather, we welcome our nation's symphony of faith.

Recall the early days of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, during the fall of 1774. With Boston occupied by British troops, there were rumors of imminent hostilities and fears of an impending war. In this time of peril, someone suggested that they pray. But there were objections. They were too divided in religious sentiments, what with Episcopalians and Quakers, Anabaptists and Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Catholics.

Then Sam Adams rose, and said he would hear a prayer from anyone of piety and good character, as long as they were a patriot. And so together they prayed, and together they fought, and together, by the grace of God, they founded this great nation.

In that spirit, let us give thanks to the divine author of liberty. And together, let us pray that this land may always be blessed with freedom's holy light.

God bless this great land, the United States of America.

Have a listen: http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=16969460&m=16969594

The Flaws In the Iran Report

2007-12-06T16:49:00.000-05:00

By John R. Bolton
Thursday, December 6, 2007; A29
The Washington Post

Rarely has a document from the supposedly hidden world of intelligence had such an impact as the National Intelligence Estimate released this week. Rarely has an administration been so unprepared for such an event. And rarely have vehement critics of the "intelligence community" on issues such as Iraq's weapons of mass destruction reversed themselves so quickly.

All this shows that we not only have a problem interpreting what the mullahs in Tehran are up to, but also a more fundamental problem: Too much of the intelligence community is engaging in policy formulation rather than "intelligence" analysis, and too many in Congress and the media are happy about it. President Bush may not be able to repair his Iran policy (which was not rigorous enough to begin with) in his last year, but he would leave a lasting legacy by returning the intelligence world to its proper function.

Consider these flaws in the NIE's "key judgments," which were made public even though approximately 140 pages of analysis, and reams of underlying intelligence, remain classified.

First, the headline finding -- that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 -- is written in a way that guarantees the totality of the conclusions will be misread. In fact, there is little substantive difference between the conclusions of the 2005 NIE on Iran's nuclear capabilities and the 2007 NIE. Moreover, the distinction between "military" and "civilian" programs is highly artificial, since the enrichment of uranium, which all agree Iran is continuing, is critical to civilian and military uses. Indeed, it has always been Iran's "civilian" program that posed the main risk of a nuclear "breakout."

The real differences between the NIEs are not in the hard data but in the psychological assessment of the mullahs' motives and objectives. The current NIE freely admits to having only moderate confidence that the suspension continues and says that there are significant gaps in our intelligence and that our analysts dissent from their initial judgment on suspension. This alone should give us considerable pause.

Second, the NIE is internally contradictory and insufficiently supported. It implies that Iran is susceptible to diplomatic persuasion and pressure, yet the only event in 2003 that might have affected Iran was our invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, not exactly a diplomatic pas de deux. As undersecretary of state for arms control in 2003, I know we were nowhere near exerting any significant diplomatic pressure on Iran. Nowhere does the NIE explain its logic on this critical point. Moreover, the risks and returns of pursuing a diplomatic strategy are policy calculations, not intelligence judgments. The very public rollout in the NIE of a diplomatic strategy exposes the biases at work behind the Potemkin village of "intelligence."

Third, the risks of disinformation by Iran are real. We have lost many fruitful sources inside Iraq in recent years because of increased security and intelligence tradecraft by Iran. The sudden appearance of new sources should be taken with more than a little skepticism. In a background briefing, intelligence officials said they had concluded it was "possible" but not "likely" that the new information they were relying on was deception. These are hardly hard scientific conclusions. One contrary opinion came from -- of all places -- an unnamed International Atomic Energy Agency official, quoted in the New York Times, saying that "we are more skeptical. We don't buy the American analysis 100 percent. We are not that generous with Iran." When the IAEA is tougher than our analysts, you can bet the farm that someone is pursuing a policy agenda.

Fourth, the NIE suffers from a common problem in government: the overvaluation of the most recent piece of data. In the bureaucracy, where access to information is a source of rank and prestige, ramming home policy changes with the latest hot tidbit is commonplace, and very deleterious. It is a rare piece of intelligence that is so important it can conclusively or even significantly alter the body of already known information. Yet the bias toward the new appears to have exerted a disproportionate effect on intelligence analysis.

Fifth, many involved in drafting and approving the NIE were not intelligence professionals but refugees from the State Department, brought into the new central bureaucracy of the director of national intelligence. These officials had relatively benign views of Iran's nuclear intentions five and six years ago; now they are writing those views as if they were received wisdom from on high. In fact, these are precisely the policy biases they had before, recycled as "intelligence judgments."

That such a flawed product could emerge after a drawn-out bureaucratic struggle is extremely troubling. While the president and others argue that we need to maintain pressure on Iran, this "intelligence" torpedo has all but sunk those efforts, inadequate as they were. Ironically, the NIE opens the way for Iran to achieve its military nuclear ambitions in an essentially unmolested fashion, to the detriment of us all.

John R. Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is the author of "Surrender Is Not an Option: Defending America at the United Nations and Abroad." He is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

The truth about ecocrats in Bali... from a Canadian.

2007-12-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

Road to Bali

Peter Foster, Financial Post
Published: Thursday, December 06, 2007

The fate of the Earth hangs in the balance in Bali, but the issue is not whether humanity will succumb to a "climate crisis," or how the international community might craft a successor to the tattered Kyoto Accord (Let's call it KyoTwo). The real theme of this United Nations gabfest -- like that of its 12 predecessors, and of the hundreds, if not thousands, of related meetings --is whether globalization and trade liberalization will be allowed to continue, with a corresponding increase in wealth, health and welfare, or whether the authoritarian enemies of freedom (who rarely if ever recognize themselves as such) will succeed in using environmental hysteria to undermine capitalism and increase their Majesterium. Any successor to Kyoto will be rooted in hobbling rich economies, increasing the poor world's resentment, unleashing environmental trade warfare, and blanketing the globe with rules and regulations that benefit only rulers and regulators. Bali is not about climate; it symbolizes the continued assault on freedom by those who seek -- or pander to -- political power under the guise of concern for humanity.

Just at the point where Marxism was being consigned to the dustbin of history, the more or less concealed power lust that had fed it found a new cause in the environment. The fact that the UN's 1992 Rio conference followed hard on the collapse of the Soviet Union represented almost the passing of a poisoned baton. Capitalism had once been the enemy because it was alleged to make people poor. Now it was the enemy because of the alleged side effects of making them rich. The emissions of carbon-based industrial society would lead to a climate in turmoil:We would be beset by Biblical plagues of floods, droughts and monster hurricanes.

This simplistic narrative depended on carbon dioxide being the main driver of climate. Scientists who pointed that there were likely other more important factors, that climate science was in its infancy and that earth's climate had varied dramatically long before the invention of the steam, internal combustion or jet engine, were not scientifically refuted; they were howled down as "deniers" or industry shills.

The environmental left, centred in the UN, has achieved stunning success in building and pushing the climate change/sustain-ability bandwagon. They have done this first by funding, then hijacking, scientific research via the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. They have also promoted and allowed access to an ever-proliferating group of activist NGOs (Bali, significantly, is overrun by the non-elected "representatives" of scores of radical organizations, who have in turn forced similar numbers of industry representatives to follow them). NGOs have also had great success in pushing their alarmist message through a sympathetic media and thus --along with more direct lobbying--in achieving grossly disproportionate influence with democratic politicians. "Progressive" pols, meanwhile, have embraced environmental alarmism because it gives a much-needed boost to their flagging relevance.

Climate-change alarmism couldn't be presented as simply a new justification for power-seeking, so it had to be cloaked--as social-ism has always been cloaked, both consciously and unconsciously -- in concern for "the poor." Addressing climate change has always been linked in the UN script with Third World development, even though it in fact represents the greatest threat to such development. Nevertheless, the prospect of more international redistribution has meant that poor countries' corrupt and/or incompetent governments have become enthusiastic supporters of the Kyoto "process."

The rapid and unexpected explosion of economic growth -- and emissions -- in China and India has created a wrinkle. The United States and Canada claim that the ballooning emissions of these prospective economic superpowers mean that they must be part of any "solution." China and India, by contrast, assert --encouraged by their "poor" colleagues in the Third World bloc -- that since this "problem" was created by the developed countries, the developed countries must deal with it.

Bali will see nothing but posturing and preening, "tough" negotiations, and an agreement to talk further, in yet more exotic locations. But we should remember that the object of the exercise is not to deal practically with the problems of poverty, or to realistically address the challenges of extreme weather, whether caused by humans or otherwise. Bjorn Lomborg has eloquently pointed out why Kyoto-style approaches represent a very poor return on investment, and why we would be much better to deal directly with the specific threats of drought, flooding, malaria or hurricane damage, and with the broader issue of how to promote development. But that criticism misses the real significance of Kyoto and KyoTwo. They are not about effectively addressing specific problems, they are about exploiting ignorance about climate science, and continuing to demonize capitalism, in order to make ecocrats feel good, make others feel bad, pad incomes, and expand travel schedules.

Democratic governments have no choice but to cater to the ignorance/alarm/hypocrisy engendered in their electorates. This catering in turn reflects greater or lesser degrees of cynicism, skepticism, or moralistic bloviation.

The Australian delegation was feted on the first day of Bali because the subcontinent's new government chose at last to sign on to Kyoto, even though the agreement lay in ruins, and would have had virtually zero impact on the climate anyway. Canada's Environment Minister John Baird -- who must cope with the fact that his Liberal predecessors signed Kyoto without any plan or intention of fulfilling their obligations-- must sing from the U.N. hymnbook while keeping a firm hand on the nation's collective wallet. And preparing for the next meeting.

Hat tip: Rush Limbaugh

Message from Bobby

2007-12-05T11:26:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends

Meeting with the President

I met with President Bush at the White House yesterday to discuss our state’s continuing recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. During the meeting, I thanked the President for the support that Louisiana has received thus far and asked for his help in speeding recovery aid to our state that is tied up in bureaucratic red tape. Our state faces critical needs, such as improving and upgrading our levees, restoring our coast, and making sure that the Road Home program is fully funded, and I asked the President for additional resources to fill those needs.

I also took the opportunity to urge the President to locate the Air Force Cyber Command at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport. The President knows of the importance of Barksdale to not only our state, but to our nation’s defense. While a final decision is weeks, or even months away, the Cyber Command will be a strong economic engine for North Louisiana, as well as the rest of the state. In addition to talking to the President, I have already spoken with the Secretary of the Air Force, met with local advocates from Bossier, and toured Bossier Parish Community College where important degree programs will be offered. I will continue to do everything possible to ensure the federal government places the Cyber Command permanently at Barksdale.

Reforming our State

The Transition Advisory Councils continue to meet around the state to make recommendations regarding the detailed policy chapters that I introduced during the campaign. In addition, residents throughout the state contact my office daily to offer their innovative ideas for our state.

Last week, we held hearings all over the state on issues ranging from education, government reform, and emergency preparedness to economic development issues such as small business and business retention.

At the advisory council meetings, we hear one thing time and again – now is the time to make dramatic changes in our state and to address the problems that have plagued Louisiana for too long. For example, during the education hearing last week we heard about the need for high school students to receive the skills and training necessary to provide a skilled workforce for businesses and to ensure the students will have good paying jobs right here in Louisiana. Without these trained employees, businesses will not locate in our state.

During the business retention and recruitment hearing held in Monroe, council members spoke about the importance of leveling the playing field with other states by reducing burdensome regulations and taxes on businesses and improving our national image by enacting strong ethics laws.

Working with Governors from across the country

This week, I joined Governors from across the nation in California and shared with them the critical work we are doing in Louisiana to reform our ethics laws and revitalize our economy to grow businesses and create jobs. As I said on election night, Louisiana is on the rise and everyone in the nation should keep their eyes on our state.

At the meeting, I was honored to be elected to serve on a four-member Executive Committee – joining Governors from Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Hawaii – to help develop and share innovative best practices that are working around the nation. I look forward to serving in this leadership role and working with Governors from around the nation to remind them that Louisiana is on the move.

Geaux Tigers!!

I want to congratulate Coach Les Miles and the entire LSU football team for earning the right to play in the BCS championship game in New Orleans. I told the President when I met with him yesterday that he would be hosting the LSU Tigers at the White House again in the coming weeks after we win another National Championship.

Congratulations and Geaux Tigers!

Bobby Jindal

RPRW Annual Christmas Party

2007-11-29T16:56:00.000-05:00

Thursday evening, December 13, 2007

Six o’clock to nine o’clock

At the home of C.A. and Bill Thomas
1017 Doc Drive
Woodworth (across from the Alexandria Country Club)

Fare:
RPRW will supply the meat, set-ups and ice
Please BYOB, along with an hors d’oeuvre, a nice dessert or, if you prefer, a $10 contribution

Christmas giving:
Please bring non-perishable items for the Food Bank collection
and a donation to the Doll and Toy Fund

RSVP to Gena Gore at 640-3811 or 664-6116 (c)

Note: C.A. allows she has plenty of serving dishes, if need be.

Squirm, Mary, squirm!

2007-11-29T14:28:00.000-05:00

From John Kennedy:

In a little less than a year, Louisianians will go to the polls to elect our next United States Senator. In doing so, our people will decide who they want to represent our state and our values in Washington, D.C.

I want you to be the first to know that today I will take the first steps and file the necessary paperwork to run for the United States Senate in 2008. I plan to officially kick off the campaign early next year. Please know that Becky and I made this decision carefully, after much thought, prayer and discussion.

Over the next few months, I will lay the groundwork of support for an aggressive campaign that will focus on a frank discussion of the issues and how I will help move Louisiana forward working in tandem with our new reform leadership in Baton Rouge.

I also want to share with you the results of a poll I commissioned recently. The 1,000 sample "likely voters" poll conducted by Zogby International showed me leading incumbent Senator Mary Landrieu by 45% to 38% with a 3.2% margin of error. (Click here for more.)

Early support in an important race like this is essential, and you can play a significant role in building that foundation. Your financial contribution today will help us lay the groundwork for next year's campaign, which most national observers say will be one of the highest profile and competitive U.S. Senate races in the nation. Click here to make a secure credit card contribution online or visit my website at www.JohnKennedy.com.

I will win this election with the support of Louisianians like you. Thank you for your continued support and friendship. Thank you for giving so much to Louisiana.

Sincerely,

John Kennedy

The politicization of war. Thanks, Congress. Pfft.

2007-11-29T09:31:00.000-05:00

Marty Thiels remembered.

2007-11-20T12:14:00.000-05:00

Senator David Vitter Announces Designation of John “Marty” Thiels
Southpark Station Alexandria Facility to be Named after Slain Letter Carrier

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today announced the designation of the Southpark Station Postal Facility in Alexandria as the John "Marty" Thiels Southpark Station. The facility will be named in honor of Thiels, a United States Postal Service Letter Carrier who was killed while on duty on October 4, 2007.

"I am very pleased that we are able to pay tribute to Mr. Thiels and honor his sacrifice and service to our state," said Vitter. "The designation of the Southpark Station will serve as a testament to the kind of man that he was and I extend my thoughts to his family and friends and join them in honoring his memory."

Thiels served the downtown area for 24 years as a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier. The bill designating the Southpark Station facility after Thiels passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent.

Hat tip: Cindy Carter

Meow!

2007-11-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

An omen? For whom, for Hillary or for us?

2007-11-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks be to God!

2007-11-08T11:58:00.000-05:00

Thanks and Praise: I photographed men and women, both Christians and Muslims, placing a cross atop the St. John’s Church in Baghdad. They had taken the cross from storage and a man washed it before carrying it up to the dome.

Photograph and message from Michael Yon:

A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from “Chosen” Company 2-12 Infantry to the church, where I videotaped as Muslims and Christians worked and rejoiced at the reopening of St John’s, an occasion all viewed as a sign of hope.

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.” Another man, a Muslim, said “All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.” The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers.

Lee Fletcher says it's Royal, "by a mile." News Star agrees.

2007-11-03T10:25:00.000-05:00

"I'm David Vitter and I paid for this call."

2007-10-30T16:43:00.000-05:00

'04 Election-Law Violation To Cost Vitter $25,000
by Bill Walsh - Times-Picayune

WASHINGTON -- Sen. David Vitter, R-La., has agreed to pay a $25,000 fine for violating federal election laws during his campaign for the Senate in 2004.

The Federal Election Commission found that Vitter's campaign failed to adequately disclose that it was bankrolling hundreds of phone calls to voters in the weeks leading up to Election Day. He won in the primary over two Democrats with 51 percent of the vote.

Vitter struck a deal in July known as a "conciliation agreement" with the FEC acknowledging that his campaign violated a provision of the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign law that said all political ads must carry a disclaimer explaining who paid for them. As part of the agreement, Vitter agreed to pay an administrative fine.

The agreement, which has not been publicly disclosed by the commission, came to light Monday after Vitter's recently filed campaign finance reports listed payment of the fine and $11,397 in legal expenses to the Washington, D.C., law firm Foley and Lardner. An FEC spokeswoman subsequently provided a copy of the conciliation agreement.

A Vitter spokesman said the senator signed the agreement to avoid expensive, protracted litigation against the FEC.

Snark: Since David "failed to adequately disclose that," back in '04, no one knew his campaign paid for the calls? C'mon, get real.

Red meat.

2007-10-30T16:37:00.000-05:00

Vote early... and often... again. ;->

2007-10-30T16:33:00.000-05:00

Early Voting To Begin Saturday

Early voting for the Nov. 17 runoff elections will begin Saturday, Nov. 3.

Early voting for the general election will be on Saturday, Nov. 3, and Monday through Saturday, Nov. 5-10, skipping Sunday, Nov. 4.

Early voting will be conducted in the parish registrar of voter's office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the designated days.

Nov. 13 will be the last day to request a mail-in ballot to vote absentee.

Another good one for Ruth.

2007-10-30T16:29:00.000-05:00

A tree falls in Monroe. The Ulrich family is OK.

2007-10-26T09:30:00.000-04:00

Another nail for Mary.

2007-10-25T17:19:00.000-04:00

From The Dead Pelican:

Landrieu votes "no" on Southwick and Vitter votes "yes"

The Senate voted today to confirm Mississippi Judge Leslie Southwick to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, ending months of bitter debate on the issue.

The vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Southwick nomination was agreed to by a vote of 62 to 35, with Senator Landrieu voting NO. The vote to confirm Judge Southwick to the 5th circuit was agreed to by a vote of 59 to 38, with Senator Landrieu voting NO.

Senator Vitter voted YES to both cloture and the nomination of Southwick.

The October 24 edition of the TIMES PICAYUNE described the vote on Southwick as a "tough vote" for Landrieu.

"She pleases no one with this vote," said Jennifer Duffy, who monitors Senate campaigns for the Cook Political Report. "If she votes for him, the (Democratic) leadership won't be happy. Vote against him and it could be a campaign issue."

In a statement issue[d] after the vote, Senator Vitter said that “I believe that every judicial nominee deserves a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote, and I am pleased that enough senators decided it was time to overcome this filibuster of Judge Southwick. Unfortunately, Sen. Landrieu was not among that group, continuing her trend of not allowing nominees that have direct connections to Louisiana to even receive an up-or-down vote – much like she is doing to David Dugas who is nominated to fill another critical court vacancy in the Middle District Court of Louisiana.

“Judge Southwick has received high marks from the American Bar Association and was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for his current judicial position. His nomination was being opposed for purely partisan reasons, and this seat on the 5th Circuit – which has jurisdiction in Louisiana – has been deemed an emergency need to fill. Thankfully, we can now fill this critical need with a thoughtful, strict constitutional jurist,” said Vitter.

Note: David Dugas is a personal friend, a good man and deserving of far better than he's getting from Mary.

As Cajuns say, "Hot damn!!!"

2007-10-25T17:10:00.000-04:00

From WAFB TV:

Odom Drops Bid for Re-Election

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Bob Odom, a Democrat who has been Louisiana's Commissioner of Agriculture since 1980, says he's dropping out of the November 17th runoff election, handing victory to challenger Mike Strain, a Republican state representative.

Odom has been battling criminal corruption charges since August 2002, when he was indicted on 21 counts. The case was whittled away over the years, and a state judge dismissed all remaining charges earlier this year. However, prosecutors have appealed that ruling, asking for the case to be reinstated.

Despite his legal problems, he won re-election four years ago, and he led a field of three candidates in the October 20th election with 41% of the vote, but he required a majority to win re-election.

Strain finished just behind Odom with 40%.

E-ditorial

2007-10-23T17:01:00.000-04:00

As I drove, this morning, to the voting machine warehouse, prior to swinging by the reception for Governor-elect Bobby, I made the mistake of listening to Dave Graichen, on KSYL. He was complaining – in a real snit, actually - about the new statute regarding closed primaries for federal elections. Apparently, the topic of closed primaries is now a hot one because the new law will apply to the special election to fill Governor-elect Bobby’s U.S. House seat.

What has Dave, an Independent, steamed is that the LAGOP has adopted the policy that only registered Republicans may vote in Republican primaries. No!!! Really??? Only registered Republicans may have a voice in the Republican Party's endorsement process??? Ya think?

On the other hand, the Dems, who prefer the Jungle Primary in all elections, have decided to allow Independents to vote in their party primaries. Hmm… I guess they figure, if Independents are invested in the Dem primaries, they’ll stay on the Dem reservation for general elections. While an interesting voter recruitment tactic, should Independents wield too much power in their endorsement process, the Dems will either kick the Independents to the curb or reconstruct the smoke-filled back room. Rank and file Dems are a tightly controlled bunch, whether they realize it or not, and their leadership doesn’t relinquish control without, as Jimmy Carville says, “an out ‘n out wah.”

That said, I honestly don’t understand Independents. They haughtily dismiss organized, political parties and concomitant platforms and ideologies. Nevertheless, once they learn those eschewed political parties will marginalize them, when it comes to endorsements, they pitch a collective fit and demand inclusion. If Independents find their independent status oh-so-cool, why don’t the just sit down, shut up and let the organized parties sort things out for general elections in which every registered voter may vote?

Nope, like spoiled, anti-establishment brats, they insist they be affirmed, acknowledged and *included*, across the political board and in all processes. Okey dokey. Do they realize, however, that the Dems disdainfully consider them useful idiots? Because that’s what you’ll become to the Dems, Dave, a useful idiot. How cool is that?

Although the Republican Party won’t indulge you, Dave, we won’t use you, either. Grow up and get a clue.

Bobby's "thank you" tour!

2007-10-22T15:01:00.001-04:00

Please Join…

Governor-Elect Bobby Jindal

For A Thank You Bus Tour

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

10am

Bellino’s Restaurant
4619 Jackson St.
(The Gold Room)

Alexandria, LA

***Pass Along to Your Family and Friends***

Ruth Ulrich for BESE, District 5

2007-10-18T12:25:00.000-04:00

How low can you go, Georges?

2007-10-18T12:08:00.000-04:00

Hat tip: Chad E. Rogers, The Dead Pelican

From LAGOP spokesman, Michael DiResto:

A thought experiment: What if John Georges were Bobby Jindal?

Imagine, if you will, that in the closing week of the primary election campaign, one journalist reported, based on an interview with the candidate, that Bobby Jindal accused one of his opponents of deliberately endangering his own child. Imagine that, in his own words, Jindal said one of his opponents "orchestrated" a situation which, in Jindal's estimation, "definitely put his child at risk." What do you think the reaction would be?

Here's what I believe would almost certainly transpire after the initial report of Jindal's accusation:

First, that night, the report would be the lead item in every evening TV and radio news broadcast in the state, and the next morning it would appear on the front page of every leading newspaper in the state.

Second, reporters would clamor for Jindal to explain this horrible charge against his opponent, and they would demand that Jindal provide proof to support such a bizarre and personal allegation.

Third, when Jindal proved unable to reasonably explain and support the charge, the pressure and publicity surrounding it would ultimately force him to issue a retraction and apologize for the allegation.

Fourth, in the aftermath, political commentators and voters alike would be heard to conclude that Jindal had "stepped over an important line of decency and appropriateness," and that the entire episode showed the "extreme steps Jindal was willing to take to get elected" and cast doubt on his "judgment to serve as governor."

Of course, Jindal never made such an allegation about one of his opponents. But one of his opponents, John Georges, has made such an allegation about him.

According to Georges, as reported by a columnist for The Times-Picayune:

"They've been obsessed with us since the day I called him a midwife . . . when he orchestrated the delivery of his child," a reference to the at-home birth of Jindal's third child last year. Jindal has always said the baby came before he and his wife could get to the hospital, and no other candidate has questioned his truthfulness. " I definitely think he put his child at risk." [emphasis added]

That allegation appeared in that paper yesterday, and yet this morning we find that, for some reason, the news was not picked up elsewhere and a journalistic clamor over it never materialized, as it almost certainly would have had Jindal made the comment. And I have a theory as to why. It's because Bobby Jindal, as the "frontrunner," is held to one very high expectation and standard of behavior, while John Georges is held to an altogether different, if non-existent, standard. I suspect by now the media has grown so immune, as a result of repetition, to the strange comments Georges constantly makes, that even when he makes such an extreme and personal allegation such as this, it barely registers.

As a result, Georges suffers from what President Bush, in another context, has labeled "the soft bigotry of low expectations." Well, strange as it may sound, I believe I actually have more respect for John Georges than all those who would overlook such an episode, because I grant him the seriousness with which he holds his own chances of becoming governor, and take his comments seriously and as serious indicators of how he would govern this state if elected.

So far this week the Georges campaign has been making robo-calls, newspaper ads, and TV commercials in a frenzy to say that information released about his gambling ties is "false" and "lies," even though all the information is accurate and they've said nothing to refute its accuracy. What's more, Georges has been on something of a rampage to declare that Bobby Jindal, unlike himself, has broken a promise to run a positive campaign and launched a completely unprovoked attack, even though none of the gambling information is remotely comparable to the false and vicious accusation Georges has made about Jindal.

If John Georges wants to live up to his promise, he could start by retracting the horrible and unfounded attack he has leveled against Bobby Jindal, and apologize for this outrageous and personal allegation concerning one father's love for his child.

Alexandria Conference Agenda

2007-10-16T10:09:00.001-04:00

Member Conference Agenda Confirmed For November in Alexandria

Finalize your plans soon for the LFRW Fall Member Conference and Board of Directors meeting in Alexandria on November 3 and 4. All members are invited and encouraged to attend; club presidents are urged to make sure their club is represented (there to vote). Registration deadline is October 25th; registration fee is $45 members/$40 Magnolia Club members. Special room rate at the Best Western Inn & Suites is available thru October 19th. Gena Gore and the Rapides Parish RWC have made special plans for the weekend and look forward to welcoming us to Central Louisiana!

Saturday workshops are confirmed! The first time slot will feature Cynthia Jardon of the Alexandria Town Talk; she is the op/ed editor for the paper and will speak to us on "Managing The Media." Following her presentation, we will hear from Douglas Constant, a Life/Business Coach who will speak on the "Four Phases of Leadership: The Value of Emotional Intelligence." Both are useful topics as we build or programs and projects for the coming year!!

Saturday evening features a special Magnolia Club Membership Reception at the Alexandria Museum of Art hosted by Congressman Rodney Alexander. ALL conference members are invited to attend the reception for the kick-off of the 2008 Magnolia Club Membership Drive. From now thru December 31, members and supporters may re-new or join Magnolia Club for $95. Our banquet speaker will be State Tresurer John Kennedy...his first time to meet LFRW members! And, we will welcome and honor our 2007 "My Favorite Teacher."

Sunday business session will focus on reports from officers, report from the NFRW convention, the 2008 LFRW budget and other business of the LFRW. It is an important year-end meeting for LFRW.....plan to attend! Registration form and complete agenda are available on our website at www.lfrw.org.

Orwellian.

2007-10-05T14:47:00.000-04:00

Now that Massachusetts has what can only be labeled socialized medicine – thanks, Mitt – pediatricians are turning their young patients into spies. Is that what is coming to us all?

Doc, what’s up with snooping?
Pediatrician paranoia runs deep
By Michael Graham
October 4, 2007

They’re watching you right now.
They counted every beer you drank during last night’s Red Sox game.
They see you sneaking out to the garage for a smoke.
They know if you’ve got a gun, and where you keep it.
They’re your kids, and they’re the National Security Agency of the NannyState.

I found this out after my 13-year-old daughter’s annual checkup. Her pediatrician grilled her about alcohol and drug abuse.

Not my daughter’s boozing. Mine.

“The doctor wanted to know how much you and mom drink, and if I think it’s too much,” my daughter told us afterward, rolling her eyes in that exasperated 13-year-old way. “She asked if you two did drugs, or if there are drugs in the house.”

“What!” I yelped. “Who told her about my stasher, I mean, ‘It’s an outrage!’ ”

I turned to my wife. “You took her to the doctor. Why didn’t you say something?”

She couldn’t, she told me, because she knew nothing about it. All these questions were asked in private, without my wife’s knowledge or consent.

“The doctor wanted to know how we get along,” my daughter continued. Then she paused. “And if, well, Daddy, if you made me feel uncomfortable.”

Great. I send my daughter to the pediatrician to find out if she’s fit to play lacrosse, and the doctor spends her time trying to find out if her mom and I are drunk, drug-addicted sex criminals.

We’re not alone, either. Thanks to guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and supported by the commonwealth, doctors across Massachusetts are interrogating our kids about mom and dad’s “bad” behavior.

We used to be proud parents. Now, thanks to the AAP, we’re “persons of interest.”

The paranoia over parents is so strong that the AAP encourages doctors to ignore “legal barriers and deference to parental involvement” and shake the children down for all the inside information they can get.

And that information doesn’t stay with the doctor, either.

Debbie is a mom from Uxbridge who was in the examination room when the pediatrician asked her 5-year-old, “Does Daddy own a gun?”

When the little girl said yes, the doctor began grilling her and her mom about the number and type of guns, how they are stored, etc.

If the incident had ended there, it would have merely been annoying.

But when a friend in law enforcement let Debbie know that her doctor had filed a report with the police about her family’s (entirely legal) gun ownership, she got mad.

She also got a new doctor.

In fact, the problem of anti-gun advocacy in the examining room has become so widespread that some states are considering legislation to stop it.

Last year, my 7-year-old was asked about my guns during his physical examination. He promptly announced to the doctor that his father is the proud owner of a laser sighted plasma rifle perfect for destroying Throggs.

At least as of this writing, no police report has been filed.

“I still like my previous pediatrician,” Debbie told me. “She seemed embarrassed to ask the gun questions and apologized afterward. But she didn’t seem to have a choice.”

Of course doctors have a choice.

They could choose, for example, to ask me about my drunken revels, and not my children.

They could choose not to put my children in this terrible position.

They could choose, even here in Massachusetts, to leave their politics out of the office.

But the doctors aren’t asking us parents.

They’re asking our kids.

Worst of all, they’re asking all kids about sexual abuse without any provocation or probable cause.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has declared all parents guilty until proven innocent.

And then they wonder why we drink.

Vote early... and often. ;->

2007-09-28T11:10:00.000-04:00

Early Voting Schedule - Registrar of Voters office, Rapides Parish Courthouse

Saturday, October 6, 2007: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Monday, October 8, 2007 through Saturday, October 13, 2007: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Grant Parish "Meet & Greet" with Bobby

2007-09-28T10:27:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, October 2nd
10:50 AM

Grant Parish Courthouse
200 Main Street
Colfax, LA

Vote EARLY…
October 6-13 at your local Registrar of Voters Office

All are invited! Bring a friend!

Opinion Journal (WSJ) on Bobby - a must see.

2007-09-27T17:30:00.000-04:00

Debate party!

2007-09-26T10:13:00.000-04:00

What: Show your support for Bobby Jindal

Who: Bobby Jindal Supporters from CenLA

Why: Join other supporters from CenLA in rooting-on Bobby as he “wows” his opponents during LPB and CABL’s “Candidates Speak” forum

Where: Bellino’s Restaurant, 4610 Jackson Street Extension, Alexandria, LA 71303

When: Thursday, September 27th, 6:30PM

.
Hosted by Supporters of Bobby Jindal.

Dutch Treat!

Bobby Alert!

2007-09-25T16:59:00.001-04:00

Please Join…

Bobby Jindal

as he announces his

Healthcare Agenda

Thursday, September 27, 2007
10:45 AM
Pinecrest Developmental Facility

Conference Center
100 Pinecrest Drive
Pineville, LA

Please RSVP to blake@bobbyjindal.com

Gerald Long Alert!

2007-09-25T12:50:00.000-04:00

Great PR for the RPRW and LAGOP candidates!

2007-09-24T12:49:00.000-04:00

Thank you, Diane!

From The Town Talk:

Rapides GOP women host candidates

By Karina Donica

kdonica@thetowntalk.com

(318) 487-6342

PINEVILLE -- A group of GOP candidates visited Pineville on Sunday as part of the Rapides Parish Republican Women's annual picnic.

Gena Gore, president of the organization, said it was an honor to be able to host the event, held at a neighbor's home at Holiday Circle, because it gives the public an opportunity to meet the candidates one-on-one.

State Senate candidate Gerald Long, state House candidate Chris Hazel, Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education candidate Ruth Ulrich, commissioner of agriculture candidate Wayne Carter, lieutenant governor candidate Gary Beard and attorney general candidate Royal Alexander came to shake hands and chat with those attending about how they would like to improve the state.

"Many of these people running today are running because there is a need for change," said Long, who is a new face in politics. Most recently, the retiree was the regional director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

"When you begin to look at the issues facing Louisiana, you can capsule all of that into one thing: Until we change the image of our state, we are not going to see very many things happen," Long said.

Long, of Natchitoches, said one of his top priorities, if elected, is to bring a three-fold ethics reform plan to the state. His plan includes requiring candidateds to disclose all sources of income, prohibiting any elected officials from doing business with the state and to demanding accountability.

Following Long, Louisiana House candidate Hazel, a Ball resident, said he is looking forward to a new era in politics in Louisiana.

He urged voters not to be apathetic about visiting the polls and helping to change Louisiana and the culture of corruption that has plagued the state.

Ulrich, the only woman candidate at the picnic, said Louisiana must not settle for less than being among the top 10 states in education.

Ulrich, of Monroe said quality education can be attained if the right financial support is available.Ulrich, of Monroe said quality education can be attained if the right financial support is available.

"I am running against three Democrats that have been 30 to 40 years in the system. I think it's time for someone outside of the system," Ulrich said.

Carter, who seeks to replace current Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Bob Odom and currently serves as a Baton Rouge metro councilman, said he is the right choice.

"Folks, we can beat this guy," said Carter, who has worked in the logging business in Grant Parish. Carter said his plan focuses on ethics, efficiency by investing in priorities and economic development.

Carter's plan also includes promoting nutritional value and producing organic foods, traditional farming and specialty crops and a push for workforce development and scientific research.

Beard, of Baton Rouge, said the lieutenant governor's office he seeks to hold is significant for taxpayers because the lieutenant governor sits on the Louisiana Bond Commission and votes on projects coming before the commission.

"It's about the people's money" and how it's carefully spent, he said.

The two-term member of the Louisiana House said key legislation he has been involved with has included an environmental effort to help reduce waste-water rates, ethics reform to get required government agencies to get appraisals before purchasing and prohibiting campaign contributions from companies receiving emergency contracts.

Shreveport attorney Alexander, the final speaker and another new face in politics, said he was thankful for the response he is getting in the race against current Attorney General Charles Foti.

"I know that across the state I am not well known, but my opponent is, but not for very positive things. That's why I feel that I really have a chance," Alexander said. He most recently was chief of staff for U.S. Congressman Rodney Alexander (no relation). "But it is more than just the missteps he (Foti) has made. He has been in office longer than I've been alive."

Alexander said he wants to be a public servant because has the knowledge of the law and a commitment to abide by the constitution.

"What I tell people is that we have some of the best people living in our state, he said. "We certainly have some of the best food, the finest culture. What we lack is leadership at so many levels."

The Rapides Parish Republican Women organization is part of the Louisiana and national federations of Republican women, one of the largest and most influential women's political organizations in the country.

HillaryCare is unconstitutional. Period.

2007-09-22T11:27:00.000-04:00

THE DARK SIDE OF HILLARY CLINTON'S HEALTH CARE PLAN

By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN
Published on FoxNews.com on September 20, 2007

The public face of Hillary Clinton's new health care plan is sunny, filled with choices for consumers and bright with promises for better health care for all. But a close examination of the proposal alongside other init iatives of Sen. Clinton in the past few years reveals a dark side she wants to hide from public view until after the election is over.

In her program, she speaks of how health care is the right of every "American" — but she has a rather expansive definition of "American." In 2005, Hillary co-sponsored legislation in the United States Senate to offer free health insurance, under the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to the children of illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States for five years. So, those who have dodged the immigration cops for five years successfully would be rewarded not only with legal status and a path to citizenship, but with immediate free health care for their children.

Indeed, when Democrats and liberals speak of the 50,000,000 uninsured Americans, more than one fifth of those are illegal immigrants. Thus, about one in five of the beneficiaries of her program for universal health insurance are illegal aliens. (Illegal immigrants are a disproportionately large segment of the uninsured population because legal immigrants and citizens who live in poverty are eligible for Medicaid, but illegal immigrants are not.)

Would Americans like to reward those whose only connection to our country is that they flouted our laws to come here with free health insurance for themselves and their children? Doubtless Hillary knows the answer is no, so she is determined to hide that aspect of her plan from the public.

Hillary speaks of the importance of stopping health insurance companies from raising premiums on those who are sick. But she does not mention the inevitable flip side of her proposal — to raise premiums on those who are well. On the one hand, she would cover all those with chronic conditions with low cost health insurance and, on the other, would stop insurance companies from "cherry picking" healthy and young people for their insurance plans. The net effect would be a major increase in health insurance premiums for the vast majority of Americans.

In effect, her plan would turn "insurance" into "subsidy." The concept of insurance is that one pays a relatively low premium to guard against catastrophic expenses that are outside of our ability to meet financially. But Hillary's program would really be nothing more than a cash transfer from the healthy to the sick, not an insurance program at all.

Hillary says that her program would provide "universal" coverage for all. In order to achieve universality, one must make the program compulsory. The bulk of the uninsured do not want to have to pay for insurance. They are healthy and don't want the added burden of health insurance. That is why about half of those who are eligible for free or low cost insurance under the State Child Health Insurance Program have not signed up. Their parents don't want to.

So Hillary's program, as she freely admits, would require health insurance as a pre-condition of employment. Not having health insurance would be a violation just as driving a car without automobile insurance is illegal. The resulting coercion would force millions to pay for coverage they do not want and feel they don't need. But to pay for her national program, Hillary needs everyone to be covered so she can use their revenues to subsidize the coverage of those who are ill.

But the main defect of Hillary's program is that it leaves out any attempt at cost control. With health care absorbing 16 percent of our economy, Bill Clinton's warnings of economic disaster if its share of our national income passed 12 percent back in 1993 sound almost quaint today. Cost control is a vital part of any plan for universal coverage. Indeed, without it, extending coverage just offers a blank check to patients and providers which would drive even higher the share of our economy that goes to health care.

It was Hillary herself who explained this concept to Dick in 1993. The reality has not changed. Hillary will be forced to control costs as the implicit and vital element of any health care reform. This control of costs belies her contention that she would leave the health care system untouched except to extend coverage to those who now lack it. Because she would need to limit utilization and lower costs, she would be forced to ration health care and to impose government mandated and controlled managed care on all Americans.

For the first time, the word "no" would come into our system. Do you need open heart surgery? Are you a poor risk because of smoking or diabetes or age? No longer would the bureaucrat at the other end of the phone say "we won't pay for it" or "you don't need it" or "we can't fit you in at our facility." The answer would simply be no — even if you pay for it yourself, you may not have one. It is this type of coercion that drives Canadians over the border to the U.S. in search of medical options denied them at home under their socialized medical structure. Now it would operate on both sides of the border.

Finally, Hillary seeks to finance the system by ending tax breaks for the wealthy, by which she means any household with $250,000 or more in income. Never mind that she has spent that money several times over. But why use income taxes to finance her system? Why not do what Democrats and Republicans are now pushing in Congress — to finance it by raising cigarette taxes? That way we get a double impact: higher tobacco prices cut smoking, particularly among teenagers, and reduce health costs and the revenues pay for her expansion of the system. The current Congress is passing legislation to raise cigarette taxes 61 cents per pack to pay for a $35 billion expansion of the State Child Health Insurance Program. Why not raise them $2 per pack to raise the $110 billion Hillary says her health care proposal will need?

In selling her program, Hillary seems to imply that she was under the hypnotic control of her advisers (presumably Ira Magaziner) in 1993 when she designed her previous health care reform. Now she says she is in charge. "I'm the decision maker now," she told The New York Times. "I have a plan that is 100 percent my plan." But what was the 1993 initiative but her plan, concocted in secret and foisted in toto on a Congress which wouldn't pass it?

Now she says she would not "have approached [health care reform] in the same way" as she did in 1993. Now she will be informed by "a greater dose of humility and empathy and understanding of what it takes to get things done in our political system."

That and a determination to conceal the true implications of her proposal until after she is elected.

Note: IMHO, SCHIP - in our case, LACHIP - is a frog boiling scheme, if ever there was one.

A "must see."

2007-09-20T13:09:00.000-04:00

You go, Bobby!

2007-09-20T10:05:00.000-04:00

Corrupt Caldwell? No, really?

2007-09-20T09:54:00.000-04:00

Oops!

2007-09-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

Poster boy for tailgating escapades at LSU games. Oh well, PR is PR. ;->

Photograph by Harper Levy

Jindal Alert!

2007-09-11T11:32:00.000-04:00

Please Join…

Bobby Jindal

as he announces his Education Agenda

Thursday, September 13, 2007
2:30-3:30 pm

Rapides Parish Learning Center @ England Airpark
1410 Neel Kearby Drive
Alexandria, LA

Please RSVP to blake@bobbyjindal.com

All are invited! Bring a Friend!

Gotta love this!

2007-09-10T12:19:00.000-04:00

Need a new bumper sticker, Royal? ;->

As the saying goes, “You can’t make this stuff up.”

2007-09-07T08:54:00.000-04:00

A snip, from Associated Press, about the governor’s race:

"A slew of lesser-knowns with little financing also are on the list of gubernatorial candidates. One who signed up Thursday was Democrat Mary Smith, a retired hairdresser from Winnsboro. Smith told reporters she wants to be governor because she wants to try to spring former Gov. Edwin Edwards from federal prison, where he's serving a 10-year sentence for bribery."

Emphasis is mine, of course. ;->

Jim Donelon drew some Republican fire.

2007-09-06T17:44:00.000-04:00

Please don’t tell me we could end up with an Insurance Commissioner named Vinny. ;->

James "Jim" Crowley, Democrat, Filed:09/06/07
4509 Linwood St.,Shreveport, LA 71108, 318/617-4389

"Jim" Donelon, Republican, Filed:09/04/07
4724 Folse Dr.,Metairie, LA 70006, 504/455-6503

Robert Lansden, Republican, Filed:09/06/07
P. O. Box 3667,Covington, LA 70433, 985/634-0496

M. V. "Vinny" Mendoza, Democrat, Filed:09/04/07
3510 Ole Miss Dr.,Kenner, LA 70065, 504/913-3971

Jerilyn Schneider-Kneale, Republican, Filed:09/06/07
173 Lark St.,Slidell, LA 70460, 985/643-4413

Where's Ragin' Nagin?

2007-09-06T17:38:00.000-04:00

The jungle:

B. Alexandrenko, Other, Filed:09/05/07
P. O. Box 4366,Baton Rouge, LA 70821, 225/324-1870

Walter J. Boasso, Democrat, Filed:09/05/07
12 Brittany Place,Arabi, LA 70032, 504/279-8544

Foster Campbell, Democrat, Filed:09/04/07
816 Main St.,Baton Rouge, LA 70802, 225/334-9890

Vincent Mark Castillo, No Party, Filed:09/04/07
P. O. Box 14,Saint Rose, LA 70087-0014, 504/975-7870

Sheldon Forest, No Party, Filed:09/05/07
P. O. Box 102,Maurice, LA 70555, 337/873-7514

Anthony "Tony G" Gentile, Other, Filed:09/04/07
2368 Cours Carson,Mandeville, LA 70448, 985/674-2722

John Georges, No Party, Filed:09/06/07
P. O. Box 23508,Elmwood, LA 70183-0508, 504/736-4023

T. Lee Horne, III, Libertarian, Filed:09/04/07
116 Lyles Rd.,Bunkie, LA 71322, 888/823-0318

"Bobby" Jindal, Republican, Filed:09/04/07
P. O. Box 82860,Baton Rouge, LA 70884, 225/756-7969

Arthur D. "Jim" Nichols, No Party, Filed:09/06/07
2256 Hwy. 70,Donaldsonville, LA 70346, 225/474-0752

Hardy Parkerson, Democrat, Filed:09/06/07
127 Greenway St.,Lake Charles, LA 70605, 337/478-4370

Mary Volentine Smith, Democrat, Filed:09/06/07
237 New Zion Road,Winnsboro, LA 71295, 318/435-9032

Fred’s preannouncement announcement. Just do it, Fred, would ya, please?

2007-09-05T14:51:00.000-04:00

The real Johnny McCain finally peeked out. Where's he been?

2007-09-05T14:34:00.000-04:00

Fund raiser for Lance!

2007-09-04T16:02:00.000-04:00

Jimbo and Sandy Thiels
cordially invite you to
a fundraiser honoring

LANCE MAXWELL

Candidate for State Representative

District 25

Sunday, September 9th, 2007
12:30 pm until 2:30 pm

Tunk’s Cypress Inn

Host: $250.00/ Ticket: $30.00 per couple

Tickets available at:
Law Firm of Maxwell & Maxwell
1254 Dorchester Dr. — 445-4500

— and —

Tunk’s Cypress Inn

9507 Hwy. 28W — 487-4014

Also available at the door
(Make checks payable to the Committee to Elect Lance Maxwell)

Host Committee:
Mr. & Mrs. Tunk Andries
Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Billings
Mrs. Shirley Bollinger
Mr. & Mrs. Bryan Bossier
Mr. & Mrs. Toby Brazzel
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Canizaro
Mr. Samuel “Quint” Carriere, V
Dr. & Mrs. Stephan Chapman
Mr. & Mrs. Charles K. Charrier
Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Coon
Rev. & Mrs. Kevin Cox
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Dauzat
Dr. & Mrs. Mark Dodson
Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Dyess
Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Eskew
Mr. & Dr. Jimmy R. Faircloth
Mr. & Mrs. Ricky Farris
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Francis
Mr. & Mrs. Moon Griffon
Mr. & Mrs. Brooks T. Harris
Mr. & Mrs. M. Gene Haymon
Dr. & Mrs. Albert E. Hensel, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Barry Hines
Mr. & Mrs. Edmund “Bama” Hinton
Mrs. Joy N. Hodges
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hughes
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Hunt
Mr. & Mrs. E. Lansing Kolb
Mr. & Mrs. Richard D. Kyle
Mr. Zane Konvicka
Mr. & Mrs. Oday J. Lavergne, Jr.
Dr. & Dr. Robert L. Levy
Mr. & Mrs. Richard “Butch” Lindsay
Mr. & Mrs. Donald R. Long
Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Maddox, IV
Mr. & Mrs. James Manning
Mrs. Mary Jo Mansour
Mr. & Mrs. Roy O. Martin, III
Mr. & Mrs. Gary E. Maxwell
Dr. & Mrs. David C. McGraw
Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Owens
Mr. & Mrs. Kent Patton
Mrs. June W. Peach
Mr. & Mrs. Frankie L. Rasberry
Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Rayford, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Ryan
Mr. & Mrs. H. Brenner Sadler
Mr. & Mrs. James G. Savoy
Mr. & Mrs. John “Jock” Scott
Mr. Thomas B. Searcy
Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Slayter
Mr. & Mrs. Darty Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Robby Tarver
Mr. Scotty Thiels
Mr. & Mrs. Ed Thompson
Mr. & Mrs. Orvis Tully
Sen. & Mrs. David B. Vitter
Mr. & Mrs. T. Laron Waters
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy W. Waters
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas O. Wells
Mr. & Mrs. Heath Wester
Mr. & Mrs. Donald H. Wilmore

Committee to Elect Lance Maxwell: Chairman Jimbo Thiels; Secretary Paul Dauzat

Mark your calendar!

2007-09-04T15:53:00.000-04:00

Jindal to Announce Anti-Crime Agenda with Local Law Enforcement

Thursday, September 6, 2007, 8:30-10:00AM

Kees Park Community Center (Conference Room)
2450 Highway 28 East
Pineville, LA

Please invite your family and friends!

Recruit new Republicans!

2007-08-27T16:50:00.000-04:00

Secretary of State Announces "Voter Registration Week"

Work Your 'Personal Precinct'

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne has declared August 27 through August 31 as "Voter Registration Week." The purpose is to increase voter awareness of the upcoming elections and to encourage greater voter participation by all age groups.

Voters must be registered with their most current information by September 19th to be eligible to vote in the October 20th primary. Proper identification is required for registration; contact your Parish Registrar of Voters for forms and further information.

LFRW members, clubs, and supporters are urged to put forth a special effort for this initiative. Start by making sure everyone in your 'personal precinct' is ready to vote in October...is their registration is up-to-date?; do they know the location of their polling place?; have new residents/neighbors changed their registration?; do they need to take advantage of early/absentee voting (college students, football weekends)?

We have been talking for months now about the importance of these elections for the future of our state. Part of the LFRW mission is to inform and educate. Please promote this information through club e-mails, newsletters and your personal mailing lists. Be ready with early voting and absentee information as well.

Get everyone ready....make every vote count ...let's 'make a difference.'

One more Dem, self-inflicted wound. Gaping.

2007-08-27T11:45:00.000-04:00

The following, from State Treasurer John N. Kennedy, via Lee Fletcher, is to be released, officially, today.

Your support and friendship are very important to me. I have always tried to tell you where I stand and what I stand for. That’s why I’m writing this letter.

I have decided to join the Republican Party. I wanted you to be among the first to know, and to hear it from me. It has been an honor to serve as your State Treasurer and I will seek my third term this October as a Republican.

Becky and I did not make this decision lightly. Nor did we make it quickly. For well over a year I have searched my heart and, as a good Methodist, prayed about this decision.

The reason for my decision is my beliefs.

I believe in certain fixed, bedrock principles: that government should be responsive and accountable to the taxpayers who pay for it; that economic growth originates in the private sector; that education is the best safeguard of liberty; that ethics in government is critical to people’s faith in democracy; that the values of faith, work, family, personal responsibility and individual liberty are the building blocks of a prosperous society. I have concluded that the Republican Party is the party that best reflects my values today.

I also believe in the power of ideas. Every advancement in art, science, technology, business, cooking and medicine has occurred only after someone challenged the rules and tried another way. My career in public service demonstrates my belief in the power of looking for a better way. For the past several years, it has increasingly been the case that those public servants who have embraced my ideas and my philosophy of trying new approaches are primarily Republicans. I am grateful for their support and their willingness to try something different. I also believe for this reason it is time to join the Republican Party.

Finally, I believe that Louisiana state government needs to change. It has to change. And it must change now. Otherwise, Louisiana will become a place our children visit when they come see us at Christmas, instead of a place they can live, prosper and raise their own families. I feel I can best contribute to that change as a Republican.

Some of you will support my decision. Others will not. To still others it will make no difference; I am, after all, the same person with the same principles, the same values and the same dreams. Regardless, I hope you will respect my choice and my reasons for making it. I also hope you will support my reelection as your State Treasurer.

I will end as I began: you will never know how much your support and friendship mean to Becky and me. Thank you.

Thank you, as well, for giving so much to Louisiana.

Sincerely,
JOHN KENNEDY
State Treasurer

Note: Interestingly, there is a poll on Lee Fletcher’s site asking if Chris Whittington should resign. Heck no! He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to the LAGOP. Please stick around, Chris. Please.

Fish fry for Chris Hazel!

2007-08-23T15:13:00.000-04:00

When: Thursday, August 30, 2007, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Where: Ball Community center, Highway 165 N, Ball, Louisiana

Tickets: $10 per person

Be there!!!

The Democrats' Last Gasp

2007-08-23T15:03:00.000-04:00

This is a great piece from Neil S. Kavanagh at The Northside Journal:

I have a close, dear friend who is Pastor of the Dry Prong Baptist Church. Rev Whitman is as Godly a man as you would ever meet. He sits on the board of Louisiana College, is active in community affairs in Grant Parish, and is an avid golfer. Brother Whitman is a man who pursues God with a fervor that is contagious. I have never seen him frown, and never heard him utter anything but a kind word.

Needless to say, as a Christian, I admire and respect the man.When Bro. Whitman invited me to attend services in Dry Prong last spring, and bring my camera, I knew something was up. He pulled me off to the side and said... “Bobby Jindal is going to visit us next Sunday and share his profession of faith.”

Now, I have been a political junkie for as long as I can remember, following races like some people follow baseball. Never had I heard of a candidate being allowed in a Baptist Church to address the congregation concerning his faith. This must be a new campaign tactic, and Jindal must be one heck of a politician. As a converted Baptist raised in a Catholic household, I had to see this!

I should have trusted Bro. Whitman’s judgment.

What I saw that day when Bobby Jindal took the pulpit was a man who had deep seated Christian beliefs, and was not afraid to tell everyone about his love for Jesus Christ.

In the audience that day was a mix of all denominations. I saw people that I knew were Methodists, Pentecostals, and Episcopalians. Dr. Joe Aguillard, President of Louisiana College, one of the premier Baptist institutes in the country, was there. They all came to see for themselves if Bobby Jindal was for real. They all left convinced that he was.

When the news of the Louisiana Democrat’s latest attack ad reached my desk I was shocked. Even more shocked than I was when Bro. Whitman told me he was turning over his pulpit to a candidate for Governor of Louisiana.

How could a political party that has as one of it’s cornerstones the separation of church and state, attack a candidate on the basis of religion? How could the Democrats attack this candidate with unfounded lies about religious doctrine? I was amazed....

In this latest attack ad, I was witnessing the next step in the destruction of the Louisiana Democrat Party. In a desperate attempt to remain relevant, the Democrats have resorted to using any lie, any distortion, any half truth, to bring down a man of faith.

Anybody see a biblical parallel here?

The bible tells us that Satan is the ultimate deceiver and his primary weapon is the lie. Satan will use half truths, deception, and distortion in his attempt to pit brother against brother.

With this ad, the Democrats are using the same tactics of lies and deception to bring about a political war between Catholics and Protestants. They are also proving that they are a party devoid of ideas, honor and desire to serve those that elected them.

The Democrats in this state are no longer a credible political party. They have shown the voters that they will speak any lie, break any law, and embrace any action that allows them to remain in power.

Their campaign rhetoric will not sway Christians who remember John - 10:26-27.

Bobby Jindal never said, wrote or thought the things the Democrats say he did. Jindal has the utmost respect and affection for his fellow Christians. I know, I’ve heard him preach to a packed Baptist Church in Dry Prong Louisiana.

The LAGOP got it right. Absolutely. Right.

2007-08-23T10:11:00.000-04:00

I heartily agree with Jeffrey D. Sadow, associate professor of political science at Louisiana State University Shreveport. However, if you're an elected official, political operative or anyone else upset at his views, don't go bothering LSUS or LSU System officials about that because these are his own views solely. (Posted Aug.20,2007)

Between The Lines

LA GOP closing of primaries politically astute move

The Louisiana Republican Party made the right call in closing its federal-office primaries to improve its electoral fortunes, and in doing so have put Democrats into a quandary.The GOP’s Central Committee voted overwhelmingly to bar independent (‘no-party,” technically) registrants from being able to participate in its party primaries to make for a true closed primary system. The new state law allowing parties to do this had an option to allow for open primaries such as in Texas where any voter can participate in just one party’s primary, but that was left up to the parties.

While some argued that not allowing non-party registrants the possibility of voting in GOP primaries for federal office (and there are almost as many of them in the state as there are Republicans) was exclusionary, others noted that the most important decision a party can make is who its nominee will be and that should be a privilege only of those wishing to officially affiliate with it, and not something to be decided at least partially by non-members.

It’s also the smart thing politically. There may be some registrants who have voted regularly Republican that now could find themselves unable to do so in a primary – but they still can in the general election. Further, if they find it so important to vote for Republicans in all elections, all they have to do is change their registration. Research shows that the surest way to build party loyalty, including straight-ticket voting for its candidates, is for them to adopt the party label through registration; the effect will be weakened if made optional even if they vote often for GOP candidates. This contradicted opponents’ arguments that somehow votes would be sacrificed by closing the primaries.

Opponents also foolishly argued that somehow it would make the GOP be seen as “exclusionary” to be exploited as a campaign issue by Democrats if they did not close theirs. Needless to say, that argument from an intuitive, commonsensical standpoint holds little water, to think Democrats actually would make an issue of it with so many other more important ones out there, or that it would actually sway anybody.

Realize that the true source of the objection was that some feared social conservative elements would be too influential in party nominations. This was made overt when a motion came to change apportionment rules on the Central Committee. It would have reduced the rural representation on the Committee where presumably such voters are overweighed. The Committee makes decisions such as primary participation and any official endorsements of candidates. This also was defeated.

(Consider the sources of the objections: John Treen, the only man ever to lose an election to David Duke, and Peppi Bruneau, who couldn’t even get his son elected to his state House seat even by resigning early. These aren’t exactly the kind of guys who know how to win elections. Consider also that the Republican winner of the last Senate race, Sen. David Vitter, is identified with the socially-conservative wing of the party, but that the Republican loser of the previous Senate contest, former Elections Commissioner Suzanne Terrell, was not.)

But when the Democrats’ Central Committee meets in the near future, expect them not to close their primaries. They should realize that their activist elements, who would be represented disproportionately in a closed primary, are far too liberal to win statewide elections, or even anything outside of the present Second Congressional District. If they are smart, they will allow in more moderate independents that will produce more moderate nominees.

Yet if this comes about, the GOP catches another break. This would allow Republican-minded independents to go in and “raid” Democrat primaries – knowing they can’t vote in the GOP one but preferring any Republican candidate, these people will vote for the most unelectable Democrat in that party’s primary to increase Republican chances of wining the general election.

So in this pre-emptive way, the GOP closing of primaries also is a politically astute move, putting state Democrats in the position to risk the effects of raiding, or in order to avoid it to put the party more firmly in the hands of those who will drag it to defeat. The state Republicans often have not done smart things, but this decision surely is clever.

Consider the source: Verne Kennedy. Uh, yeah.

2007-08-23T09:36:00.000-04:00

Another ego on parade.

From 2theadvocate.com:

Candidate studies changing parties

By JORDAN BLUM
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Aug 23, 2007

Republican businessman John Georges of New Orleans said he is considering switching to independent or even Democrat in his campaign for the Governor’s Mansion.

The possible switch is based on the results of a poll released Wednesday that Georges’ funded. It shows him at 3 percent of the vote as a Republican but jumping to 8 percent as an independent candidate.

Frontrunner U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner, is at 54 percent, according to George’s poll, even with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin in the race.

Nagin has said he is considering running for governor.

One question in the survey asked voters to list their choices and identified Georges as a Republican. The question was: “If the election for governor were held today and you had to make a choice, which candidate would you favor?”

The choice included Jindal, Georges, Nagin, Sen. Walter Boasso, D-Arabi and Democrat Foster Campbell of Bossier Parish, a member of the Public Service Commission.

The results were Jindal, 54 percent; Boasso, 14 percent; Nagin, 6 percent; Georges, 3 percent; Campbell, 3 percent and undecided, 19 percent.

Jindal dips to 50 percent with Georges as an independent, according to the Verne Kennedy-conducted Market Research Insight poll.

“I think I’m within striking distance for second place,” Georges said Wednesday, noting his goal of a run-off with Jindal.

“It takes a while for people to come off their guy,” Georges said, referring to Jindal. “The people only knew one guy for six months.”

The poll asked voters the same question but listed Georges as an independent candidate. The results were Jindal, 50 percent; Boasso, 11 percent; Georges, 8 percent; Nagin, 7 percent; Campbell, 3 percent and undecided, 21 percent.

Georges said he will decide on his party affiliation by qualifying on Sept. 4.

Georges said his political views are not that far from former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, adding the line between Republican and Democrat is thin.

Georges said two weeks of television advertisements have skyrocketed him to 56 percent name recognition.

That compares to 97 percent for Jindal and 76 percent for Boasso, who is the Democratic frontrunner, according to the poll of 600 registered and likely voters statewide.

The poll has a 4 percent margin for error and questions were asked Aug. 13-15, Kennedy said.

Pearson Cross, a political scientist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, said Georges has reason to be encouraged by the poll and his improving name recognition. It still may take a “great stumble or gaffe” for Jindal to be seriously challenged, Cross said.

“There’s a group of very short people desperately trying to climb up Jindal’s leg and trip him if necessary,” Cross said.

Although Nagin would hurt the other Democrats more, Cross said, Nagin could do just enough to force Jindal under 50 percent and into a runoff.

Nagin has the best chance to be in a runoff with Jindal because of the black vote Nagin may attract, Cross said.

Georges, who was a business partner with Nagin, said he was discouraging the New Orleans mayor from entering the race.

Now, Georges said he sees it as an “opportunity” to make the runoff if Georges keeps improving. Georges said he paid Verne Kennedy of Pensacola, Fla. to conduct the poll.

Kennedy said Wednesday the poll shows Georges in a strong position to make a runoff because he is making fast gains.

Also, Georges has the most support at 24 percent when voters were asked to list their second favorite candidate, he said.

Kennedy’s poll still has Boasso in second place behind Jindal though, whether Georges is a Republican or independent.

“The concern is what’s going to happen on election day (Oct. 20),” Kennedy said, “not what’s going to happen today.”

Although Jindal is seen as the “unofficial incumbent,” Kennedy said, 58 percent of those polled are undecided or favor another candidate.

Timmy Teepell, Jindal’s campaign manager, said there are plenty of polls and that Jindal actually made gains from Kennedy’s last poll.

Bobby on Hannity and Colmes

2007-08-23T09:28:00.000-04:00

Dems have "jumped the shark," again.

2007-08-21T14:49:00.000-04:00

Kids, this is gettin' *old*.

From Timmy Teepell:

The Democratic Party of Louisiana has attacked Bobby Jindal for his decision to publicly profess his faith, and is lying about his writings to try and divide the Faith Community. Bobby Jindal has never been shy or vague about his belief that Jesus Christ died for all and rose again to save us for our sins. He has given his testimony before hundreds of congregations and groups, and he has put his faith in writing.

The Democrats reference one article written when Bobby was a young Christian, and then blatantly misrepresent his beliefs. The ad falsely alleges that Bobby "has referred to Protestant religions as 'scandalous', 'depraved', 'selfish' and heretical.'" It goes on to falsely state that "Bobby Jindal doubts the morals and questions the beliefs of Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Pentecostals and other Protestant religions."

Nothing could be further from the truth. Anyone who takes the time to read the article Bobby wrote as a student will see a profession of faith by a young Christian who was seeking, in his words, "to follow Jesus wherever He leads."

Bobby's article describes how the Lord led him to accept Christ, join the Catholic Church, and it expresses his wishes that the Catholic Church follow good examples of devotion set by Baptist and Pentecostals and Lutherans and Calvinists.

In fact, contrary to the Democrat attack ad, the only time in this article in which Bobby mentions another denomination specifically is when he is listing faith practices he wishes his church would adopt - like the "energy and fervor" of Baptists and Pentecostals and the "stirring preaching" of Lutherans.

The very first sentence of Bobby's article says exactly the OPPOSITE of what the Democrats accuse him: He said, "we do worship the same Trinitarian God who died for our sins."

In an article in today's Baton Rouge Advocate entitled "Jindal: Democrats' ad 'twists' religious view", the paper acknowledges that the inflammatory words were taken out of context. In fact, Bobby only uses the words "depraved" and "selfish" in his article when quoting John Calvin in the context of the doctrine of "original sin", and the word "heretical" never even appears in the article.

The conclusion to Bobby's article says exactly the OPPOSITE of what the Democrats allege - he said "I am thrilled by the recent ecumenical discussions that have resulted in Catholics and Evangelicals discovering what they have in common, in terms of both theology and morality..."

The article the Democrats attack sums up Bobby's belief: "Christ's death on the Cross truly negates the effects of sin, in both our temporal and heavenly bodies; insofar as we accept the new life He offers us, we are reborn and "washed" (Jn. 13:8) -- i.e., restored to a state of grace so that we might have eternal life."

Our state has seen plenty of low-down political tricks but attacking a born-again Christian for his public testimony is beyond the pale. In a time when the outside world wants to impose purely secular standards on the rest of us, we cannot allow a man's Christian faith to be misrepresented and misused to divide Believers in this state.

Every Louisianian of faith should let the people who made this ad know that they believe we need leaders who are not ashamed of their Faith. If you would like to join the chorus of Believers who are speaking out against this ad, please send me an email and let me know.

Timmy Teepell
Campaign Manager
Jindal '07

P.S. Copyright Laws prevent us from mass emailing the text of the entire article. If you would like a full copy of the article you can purchase one from the New Oxford Review.

David Broder on Fred Thompson

2007-08-17T13:15:00.000-04:00

This is rather flattering. Has David Broder undergone a surprise lobotomy?

Fred Thompson's Gamble
By David S. BroderThursday, August 16, 2007

When Fred Thompson makes his long-delayed entrance into the Republican presidential race, he will not tiptoe quietly. Instead, he will try to shake up the establishment candidates of both parties by depicting a nation in peril from fiscal and security threats -- and prescribing tough cures that he says others shrink from offering.

In a two-hour conversation over coffee at a restaurant near his Virginia headquarters, the former senator from Tennessee said that when he joins the battle next month, he "will take some risks that others are not willing to take, in terms of forcing a dialogue on our entitlement situation, our military situation and what it's going to cost" to ensure the nation's future.

After spending most of the past few years on TV's "Law and Order," and starting a new family, with two children under 4, the 65-year-old lawyer says he finds himself motivated for the first time to seek the White House.

"There's no reason for me to run just to be president," he said. "I don't desire the emoluments of the office. I don't want to live a lie and clever my way to the nomination or election. But if you can put your ideas out there -- different, more far-reaching ideas -- that is worth doing."

Thompson, like many of the others running, has caught a strong whiff of the public disillusionment with both parties in Washington -- and the partisanship that has infected Congress, helping to speed his own departure from the Senate.

But he says he thinks the public is looking for a different kind of leadership. "I think a president could go to the American people and say, 'Here's what we need to be doing. And I'm willing to go halfway. Now you have to make them [the opposition] go halfway.' "

The approach Thompson says he's contemplating is one that will step on many sensitive political toes. When he says "we're getting a free ride" fighting a necessary war in Iraq with an undersized military establishment, "wearing out our people and equipment," it sounds like a criticism of the president and the Pentagon.

When he says he would have opposed adding the prescription drug benefit to Medicare, "a $17 trillion add-on to a program that's going bankrupt," he is fighting the bipartisan judgment of the last Congress.

When he says the FBI is perhaps incapable of morphing itself into the smart domestic security agency the country needs, he is attacking another sacred cow.

Thompson repeatedly cites two texts as fueling his concern about the country's future. One is "Government at the Brink," a two-volume report he issued as chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee at the start of the Bush administration in 2001 and handed to the new president's budget director as a checklist of urgent management problems.

The difficulties outlined in federal procurement, personnel, finances and information technology remain, Thompson said, and increasingly "threaten national security."

His second sourcebook contains the scary reports from Comptroller General David Walker, the head of the Government Accountability Office, on the long-term fiscal crisis spawned by the aging of the American population and the runaway costs of health care. Walker labels the current patterns of federal spending "unsustainable" and warns that unless action is taken soon to improve both sides of the government's fiscal ledger -- spending and revenue -- the next generation will suffer.

"Nobody in Congress or on either side in the presidential race wants to deal with it," Thompson said. "So we just rock along and try to maintain the status quo. Republicans say keep the tax cuts; Democrats say keep the entitlements. And we become a less unified country in the process, with a tax code that has become an unholy mess, and all we do is tinker around the edges."

Thompson readily concedes that he does not know "where all those chips are going to fall" when he starts challenging members of various interest groups to look beyond their individual agendas and weigh the sacrifices that could ensure a better future for their children.

But these issues -- national security and the fiscal crisis of an aging society with runaway heath-care costs -- "are worth a portion of a man's life. If I can't get elected talking that way, I probably don't deserve to be elected."

Thompson says he feels "free to do it" his own way, and that freedom may just be enough to shake up the presidential race.

Transcript of Rush's interview with Karl Rove

2007-08-15T15:56:00.000-04:00

RUSH: I would like to introduce you all to Karl Rove. Karl, welcome to the EIB Network. I cannot tell you how great it is finally to have you here with us.

KARL ROVE: Well, thanks, Rush. I'm honored you'd ask me and delighted to be with you.

RUSH: You haven't probably heard about this, although it won't surprise you, but I've gotta tell you something. It's a hilarious story. The editor of the Seattle Times was conducting a staff meeting when they learned of your resignation announcement, and everybody stood up and started cheering, and --

KARL ROVE: Ha-ha-ha-ha! Was my wife there?

RUSH: (Laughing.)

KARL ROVE: Was my wife in that crowd?

RUSH: (Laughing.) And the editor said -- this is what's funny. The editor said no politics in the newsroom. You've gotta keep this stuff to yourself. We've gotta remember there's a political year coming up. No politics in the newsroom! Anyway, people have to be curious. I know they are, Karl. You've been the brunt of all kinds of assaults and attacks, personally and otherwise, along with the president. How do you guys deal with it?

KARL ROVE: Rush, you ignore it. I mean, if you have to wake up in the morning to be validated by the editorial page of the New York Times, you got a pretty sorry existence. So the best thing you could do is just ignore it, plow on, stay focused. The president is very good about saying, "Look, we came here for a reason. We have an obligation on the country," and press on by it. I'll be hyperventilating about the latest attack on him by somebody, and he'll say, "Don't worry. History will get it right and we'll both be dead." So it's a good, healthy attitude about how to take it.

RUSH: That's interesting. I know you don't like talking about yourself, but I --

KARL ROVE: I hate navel gazing, Rush.

RUSH: (Laughing.)

KARL ROVE: I'm not good at it.

RUSH: But I want to ask you to do it, because the perception of you that's out there, courtesy of the Drive-By Media, is one thing.

KARL ROVE: (Laughing.)

RUSH: But people love listening to somebody who speaks passionately about anything, and you have that ability. You're passionate about a lot of things.

KARL ROVE: Yeah.

RUSH: Tell people about your perception. What do you want them to know about your job and how you did it?

KARL ROVE: Well, look first of all, you need to put my job in perspective. I'm an aide to the president of the United States. There are a lot of other aides to the president of the United States. So the first and foremost thing to understand is that I'm a member of a team. In fact, you know, our day at the White House starts early, many times at 6:30 or six o'clock with meetings or breakfasts, but every day we have a senior staff meeting that starts at 7:30, and for the first four years of the administration, I sat around that table -- there are about 19, 20 people in the room who are the senior aides to the president, and for the first four years -- I started my day sitting between Margaret Spellings on one hand and Condi Rice on the other. I mean, I look around the table today and I see the people that I've been honored to serve with as colleagues and aides to the president, and they are a remarkable group of Americans, many of whom have made enormous professional and personal and financial sacrifices to serve their country and this president. I've been honored to be one of them. You know, I've had a little bit of a unique relationship with the president that some of them have not had, but every one of them -- the president has done a magnificent job of making every one of them -- understand his aspirations and his vision, and as a result, they're a wonderful team. We can disagree mightily about issues big and small. We can argue passionately our views on an issue. We can find consensus on a lot of them. When we can't, we take the issue to the president, he decides, and everybody at the end of the day salutes smartly and says, "You know, that was probably the right decision even if I was on the other side of it," and it's really a remarkable place to work.

RUSH: What would you like people to know about the president that they don't know?

KARL ROVE: Well, you know, the president is a... You know, I've known him 34 years, and I thought a long time ago I would cease to be amazed by the guy because I've had such high regard for him for so long, and particularly after he became governor of Texas, I realized I was capable of being surprised a lot more, and then when he became president. Look, the thing the American people need to know about him is he is just as passionate today about doing his job of protecting America and of growing the economy and being focused on big reforms that will make America better and safer and stronger in the years ahead, as he was in the day that he came in, and he walks into that office and lights up that building with -- you know, it sounds corny, but it's inspiring to work around him. He's got a wonderful spirit. He's got a great sense of humor. He treats people with the greatest respect and dignity, and that goes from the guy swabbing out the floors on the first floor of the White House to, you know, some foreign head of state. He treats everybody with respect and dignity, and he sets such a wonderful tone and serves as a wonderful model for people who work around him. I think one of the reasons why this White House staff consists of so many wonderful people is because they're around him and realize what a great experience it is to be around him.

RUSH: Does it frustrate you...? I know you said earlier just ignore the criticism. Does it frustrate you with all the attacks on him as brain dead or a frat boy, that you're the brain and this sort of thing, or do you shelve that and just go about your day?

KARL ROVE: Well, I shelve that, but I have to admit I'm amused by it because, you know, this is one of the best-read people I've ever met. This is a Harvard MBA. This is a Yale undergraduate whose major was history and whose passion is history. Many times the people I see criticizing him are, you know, sort of elite, effete snobs who can't hold a candle to this guy. What they don't like about him is that he is common sense, that he is Middle America.

RUSH: He outsmarts 'em.

KARL ROVE: Yeah, and look, in a way, they "misunderestimate" him, and he likes that.

RUSH: (Laughs.)

KARL ROVE: In fact, I think to some degree he cultivates that because it doesn't matter to him if somebody on the Upper East Side is putting their nose in the air about him. You know, he is who he is, and he's comfortable in his own skin, and he's not going to change just to win popularity with the elites.

RUSH: You said that he's a voracious reader. Tell people. You and he have a reading contest.

KARL ROVE: We do. We do. It happened by accident. We generally gossip on Sundays, and the Sunday before New Year's of last year, 2006, we were gossiping and I could hear Laura in the background and the president said to me, "Do you have any good New Year's resolutions? I gotta figure out a good New Year's resolution," and I said, "I'm a big reader." When I moved to Washington we brought 158 cartons of books, and, you know, I love to read. It's a great way to relax and a great way to learn. I said, "Well, yeah, my object in 2006 is to read a book a week. My object is to do 52 books in a year," and he said, "Great," sort of dismissed it and went on. Well, about the 2nd or 3rd of January we're in the Oval Office waiting for the vice president and a couple of others to straggle into a meeting and he looked at me, and said, "I'm on my second. Where are you?" So we went off to the races on a book contest and we kept track of books, and I leaped to an early lead, and he began a refrain which he's used a lot which is that he was in second place because he was the leader of the Free World and had a real job to do, which sort --

RUSH: (Laughs.)

KARL ROVE: I mean, look, this is competitive, but I mean, come on, please. But no, we've had a great contest. It's been a great experience the last year and a half. We've been trading book suggestions back and forth.

RUSH: How many books have you guys read?

KARL ROVE: I beat him last year, 110 to 94, and I'm ahead this year. I won't give you the total because it would crush you, and again he keeps saying, "Look, I'm the leader of the Free World, but, you know, I won the first year." In fact, it was almost... It was very funny.

RUSH: Wait. He's not reading little pamphlets. (Laughing.)

KARL ROVE: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! In fact, we both agreed upon a Mutually Assured Destruction. When we got too competitive last year, we both started reading John D. MacDonald mysteries, which are really delicious. He's a wonderful writer, a Floridian, who writes a wonderful set of mysteries, Travis McGee mysteries, and we both decided that we loved them. We were reading them quickly, enjoying them a lot, and then we realized this was being far too competitive. So we limited the number of John D. MacDonald mysteries we were both reading, so we could get back to the serious stuff.

RUSH: We have to take a commercial break. Can I steal you for a couple more minutes?

KARL ROVE: You bet.

RUSH: Great.

KARL ROVE: You bet.

RUSH: Karl Rove will continue right after this. Don't go away.

RUSH: The Excellence in Broadcasting Network, Rush Limbaugh. We're back with Karl Rove.

KARL ROVE: Rush I gotta ask you, is that a real ad, Spatula City? Because...

RUSH: (Laughing.)

KARL ROVE: I'm in need of a good spatula. Is that located over next to Toothpick Town?

RUSH: Yeah, they're in Wal-Mart. They're a section inside Wal-Mart.

KARL ROVE: There we go.

RUSH: Something I've always wanted to ask you and I just never have. Could you tell us what it was like in the first months of the administration, following the aftermath in Florida? You had made the strategic decision to adopt a new tone. You wanted to try to build bridges back to Democrats after the divisiveness nineties. The president had done it in Texas with Democrats, and you consulted them on legislation. Do you have any regrets about that approach?

KARL ROVE: No. Look, when we were able to find willing allies who are willing to work across party lines, it was the right thing to do. The problem was there are some Democrats who have never gotten over the 2000 election, who view the president as somehow illegitimate; never accepted the outcome, and hate him -- and there are some Democrats who made a calculated decision -- led I think at the time by, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle after the Democrats took back control of the Senate -- that the way back out of the political wilderness for them was to simply obstruct everything that the president was trying to do, and their basic attitude was, you know, "Okay, we may agree with it. We may think, some of us may think, it's a reasonable and responsible thing to do, but let's not give Bush, quote, 'a political victory,' unquote," and that's not helpful for the country, but it was.... Look, should the president be saying the ugly things about the Democrats that the Democrats routinely say about him? I mean, Harry Reid who goes jumping out there calling the president a "liar" and "deliberately misleading the country" and so forth. I mean... No, he's not going to do that. That's not who he is. He'll have a respectful disagreement. He'll hit tough on issues. He'll find ways to advocate his cause. But he's not going to engage in the kind of personal name-calling that makes Washington... Look, there ought to be politics and politics. But after the elections are over, people ought to be able to put things aside and look at things with the best interests of the country at heart, and if they don't agree, they don't agree, but if they ought to agree and should agree, they ought to try and move something forward and that's happened on many things. Energy legislation, education, tax cuts, judges. Look, we couldn't have gotten Roberts and Alito on the Supreme Court without having some thoughtful Democrats say, "These are people worthy of serving on the Supreme Court." We couldn't pass the tax cuts without having some Democrat say, "You know what? We really ought to give people back some of their own money." You know, I was interested this year on the budget resolution -- which is normally a straight party vote -- do you know some very thoughtful Democrats had some qualms about voting for the Democrat budget resolution, and at least one significant Blue Dog voted for the president's budget resolution.

RUSH: Yeah. Well, it's interesting. You said that the president in all of this will not respond in kind --

KARL ROVE: Sure.

RUSH: -- and this has been frustrating for his supporters.

KARL ROVE: Yeah. Right. Right.

RUSH: Because, you know, people want leadership. They crave it. They love the president and have a lot of respect for him, and they just hate seeing this stuff go un-responded to. I think yesterday, when Mrs. Clinton ran this ad saying the White House doesn't see some people, they're "invisible" to the government, and the White House responded yesterday.

KARL ROVE: Well, look, what's interesting, too, about that is, it's really amazing that she would say that. You know, it's sort of disappointing. This is... After all, Senator Clinton voted against the prescription drug benefit for seniors. Senator Clinton voted against allowing people to save tax-free for their out-of-pocket medical expenses. Senator Clinton opposes giving every American a standard health deduction so that they can deduct from the cost of their income taxes, their insurance premiums. You know, when we started as a country to say, "You know what? You can deduct your mortgage interest off of your income taxes," there was an explosion of home ownership in the country, which was a good thing. When we started saying to people, "You can save tax-free for your kids' college expenses or save tax-free for your retirement expenses," we saw an explosion of 529 Plans for college education, and 401(k)s and IRAs for people's retirement. That was a good thing. Yet Senator Clinton, who deems to lecture this president on health care, opposed allowing people to do either save tax-free for their out-of-pocket medical expenses, or, she also opposed -- she also opposes -- allowing there to be a tax deduction for people to take off their income tax costs of their insurance premiums. She's against having a level playing field so that the guy who has to pay for health care for his family or her family out of their own pocket, gets the same tax break the big corporations get for providing health insurance to their employees. She's against allowing people to buy health insurance across state lines like we routinely buy auto insurance today so you can shop for the cheapest price and the best product for your family's needs.

RUSH: So she wants to --

KARL ROVE: So I'm a little surprised that she jumped out there and made such an accusation when she's got a record that's so spotty and poor on health care issues. If she really believed people ought to have more health care, she should have been -- she should be -- standing with us and making some different votes.

RUSH: Well, since we're talking about Mrs. Clinton, how about your assessment of the Democrat presidential field and where they're headed?

KARL ROVE: Well, I don't want to become a prognosticator. So I'll simply repeat what I said publicly on the record. I think she's likely to be the nominee, and I think she's fatally flawed. I think that it's going to be a tough general election. It always is at the end of an eight-year run. It's very hard, if you look back in history, for a party to win a third term for that party. It happened in 1988 when 41 succeeded Ronald Reagan. It happened in 1948, if you will, when Harry Truman who had succeeded to the job won reelection. But between 1988 you have to go back to, literally, 1908 to find a real example of somebody succeeding at the end of two terms and even then TR had inherited the office on the death of McKinley. You know, it's rare, but it can and I think will be done, but it's going to be a tough race, and it will be against her.

RUSH: What are her fatal flaws?

KARL ROVE: Well, you know, you're trying to make me into a prognosticator and I want to set a high tone here, on the high road, but look, she is who she is. There is no front-runner who has entered the primary season with negatives as high as she has in the history of modern polling. She's going into the general election with, depending on what poll you look at, in the high forties on the negative side, and just below that on the positive side, and there's nobody who has ever won the presidency who started out in that kind of position.

RUSH: One of the things about your previous comments about her regarding her reaction or her ad saying that half the country is "invisible" to this administration. I'm going to play the sound bite a moment from now in the next half hour when her portrait was unveiled in the White House. The president was as gracious as anybody could be to both Bill and Hillary Clinton and all of their friends who were in the room, and yet she comes out and does something like this. Politically, what's amazing to me is he's not going to be on the ballot and they're all running against him still.

KARL ROVE: Mmm-hmm. Well, I think it shows a lack of vision. If you really don't... The fallback position in politics is if you don't know what you want to be about, and if you don't know what your vision is, go at somebody else. I think that the American people when they approach a presidential election, are always interested in the future, and particularly at the end of an eight-year presidency they want to know what the next person is going to be doing, and so to my mind... Look, it was so over-the-top that frankly, people, an ordinary cat listening to that on the street is going to say, "Well, wait a minute. That's not true." I thought it was also egregious that she, in the same ad, talked about the president of the United States treating our troops in Afghanistan as invisible. I mean, how did she vote on the surge? You know, this is a woman who has been less than supportive of the policies that those men and women who are in the frontlines of the global war on terror fighting. This is like a woman who has opposed the Patriot Act that gave us the tools to defend the homeland. This is a woman who opposes the terrorist surveillance program that allowed us to listen in on the conversations of bad people who are calling into the United States. She opposed the FISA reforms that would allow us to listen into communications and see the communications of international terrorists who are communicating with other international terrorists, even outside the country whose messages simply happened to flow through US telecom networks. You know, again, I'm a little bit surprised that somebody with a record so weak on these things would somehow deign to lecture this president, who is very popular among the military and military families because they see him as a strong commander-in-chief who supports them, loves them, and gives them everything they need and want.

RUSH: Karl, I didn't want to stop you during that. I've only got about ten seconds here to say good-bye. But thanks so much for your time here.

KARL ROVE: You bet, Rush.

RUSH: I received a bunch of e-mails from people when I said you were going to be on, who wanted me to pass on to you that they love you.

KARL ROVE: Oh, thanks Rush.

RUSH: We all do.

KARL ROVE: Thanks, buddy.

RUSH: Talk to you soon.

KARL ROVE: Thanks much.

END TRANSCRIPT

Setting Bobby's record straight...

2007-08-15T08:51:00.000-04:00

MYTH:"Proposed limiting Medicaid patients to five prescriptions a month"

FACT:Bobby Jindal supported eliminating the waste and abuse in the state's Medicaid system, which was projecting a $10 million cost overrun. Reforms concerning prescriptions, however, could be overridden by a doctor, and were not applied to nursing home residents or children.
In 1996, the Advocate reported: "To cut pharmacy spending by $3 million to $4 million annually, the Department of Health and Hospitals had proposed the five-prescription limit, which includes a provision letting doctors override the cap if medically necessary. The proposal exempted nursing home residents and children." ("Exempting Medicaid patients from 5-prescription limit eyed." The Advocate. 12/21/96.)

MYTH:"Voted against lowering the cost of prescription drugs" (1/12/07)

FACT:Bobby Jindal opposed this legislation because allowing the federal government to "negotiate" prescription drug prices would result in a system which gives government bureaucrats the authority to decide which drugs are available to our seniors, and the Washington Post and Congressional Budget Office have concluded it would have little to no effect on reducing costs. ("The Wrong Prescription: Government should not negotiate drug prices in Medicare." Washington Post. Saturday, January 13, 2007.)

Former Senator John Breaux weighed in against this legislation in a April 1, 2007 interview, saying, "If the government just set prices, the result would be that a lot of drug manufacturers would simply not agree to the price that was set for a particular drug, so that drug would not be offered. That would be highly detrimental to seniors. It could have a very serious rationing effect on seniors, which I don't think is acceptable, and a lot of restrictions on seniors as to where they can get their drugs, etc." ("Sen. John Breaux: advising on healthcare policy; Q&A." Healthcare Financial Management. April 1, 2007.)

MYTH:"Supported raising the Medicare eligibility age"

FACT:This is a blatant misrepresentation of reality. The Bipartisan Commission for Medicare Reform made no final recommendations on reforming the system. Former Senator John Breaux was the proponent of the Medicare change which proposed raising the eligibility age.
"It is unclear whether [President Bill] Clinton would support Breaux's idea of raising the eligibility age from 65 to 67." ("Medicare Panel Fails to Agree on Recommendations." Amy Goldstein and John F. Harris, Washington Post. 3/17/99.)

MYTH:"Failed to support our troops and veterans - by voting against fully funding TRICARE - a veterans health care program"

FACT:Jindal supported legislation agreed on by the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate which provided $106.8 billion in funding for the TRICARE Program and called on the Department of Defense to fully fund the program. The legislation said, "... Congress should provide sufficient funding to the Department of Defense to offer members of the Reserve Component continuous access to TRICARE, for a premium, regardless of their activation status."

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_reports&docid=f:hr062.109.pdf

RPRW September Picnic!

2007-08-13T13:24:00.000-04:00

Mark your calendars!

When: Sunday, September 23, 2007

Where: Diane Lawton’s lovely home at 324 Holiday Circle, in Pineville

Why: For fun, certainly, and, hopefully, to visit with our representatives and candidates

Fare: Please touch base with Gena (genag@suddenlink.net) to discuss dish contributions

Stupid is as stupid does.

2007-08-10T14:40:00.000-04:00

From Robb Hayes at WAFB 9News:

LA Democrats Say They Won't Focus on Jindal "Exorcism" Writings

The Louisiana Democratic Party says an attack ad it is preparing to air against Republican Bobby Jindal -will- focus on Jindal's religious writings from his college days, but will -not- focus on a piece Jindal wrote about observing an exorcism being performed on a female friend. WAFB 9NEWS reported Wednesday night that the exorcism paper would be part of the attack ad, but Democratic Party spokeswoman Julie Vezinot says that is incorrect. Vezinot said other anti-Jindal ads will air that focus on topics others than religion. "The ads are based on facts drawn from his voting records in Congress and his campaign contributions," Vezinot said.

Vezinot says the ad focusing on religion is just one of several the party is planning to launch against Jindal in the coming weeks. The party estimates it will spend nearly $1 million dollars on the series of anti-Jindal ads.

Jindal, a Republican currently serving in Congress, is the clear front-runner in the race for Louisiana governor. Jindal ran for governor four years ago and finished first in the primary. However, he lost the runoff election to then Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat. Blanco is not seeking re-election.

"Bobby is a proud Christian, and attacks against his faith prove just how far old-guard party bosses willl go to resist the change our state needs," said Melissa Sellers, communications director for the Bobby Jindal campaign. "People will see this as exactly what it is - the same kind of baseless mudslinging and gutter politics that has held Louisiana back for generations," Sellers said.

WAFB 9NEWS political analyst Jim Engster says the attack ads being prepared against Jindal are to be expected, considering his apparent strong lead. "He's going to be much tougher to stop this time around," Engster said. "I think the Democrats are pulling out all the stops because they realize it's late in the game. We're ten weeks away from the election and something has to be done to stop this momentum that Jindal has."

More stupidity: The other day, a dim Dem allowed, “Although Jindal may be the brightest bulb in the line, I can’t vote for him. We need an American to be governor, don’t we?” My reply, “I guess the case can be made that Baton Rouge, where Bobby was born, is the capital of a ~~banana republic~~ foreign country."

Whew!

2007-08-09T14:27:00.000-04:00

Look out, Mary... I hope.

BREAKING! KENNEDY OPTS TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION!
by TREASURER JOHN KENNEDY - Louisiana Political News Service

STATEMENT BY STATE TREASURER JOHN KENNEDY:

“After much consideration, Becky and I have decided that I can serve the State of Louisiana best by offering myself for another term as State Treasurer this fall.”

“I appreciate all the input I received from people about my decision. Many folks encouraged me to run for Attorney General, but just as many wanted me to remain as State Treasurer. In the end, it was a personal and family decision.”

“I plan to run an aggressive campaign this fall based on my eight year record as State Treasurer, of which I am proud.”

“I will continue to advocate as Treasurer the wise management of public money, and to speak out loudly on the need for tougher ethics reform and fiscal accountability.”

LAGOP bifurcation. Again.

2007-08-08T12:33:00.000-04:00

Will we *ever* learn? Good grief...

From The Independent Weekly:

Chinks in the Armor
8/8/2007

Less than a year ago, The Independent Weekly published a cover story detailing the disastrous state of Louisiana’s and Lafayette Parish’s Democratic Party (“Stomping Grounds,” Oct. 18). At the time, the state Republican Party appeared to be a well-oiled machine hitting on all cylinders. Despite all the setbacks the national party had suffered with Iraq, Katrina and the Jack Abramoff scandal, the GOP leadership in Louisiana was aligned and rarely off-message. Headed by newly elected U.S. Sen. David Vitter, whom polls showed to be the most popular elected official in the state, Republicans were well-funded, well-organized, and poised to take over both the governor’s mansion and a majority of the state Legislature behind a platform of ethics reform and improving Louisiana’s business climate.

The party was enjoying a level of maturity it hadn’t experienced in years. The days of inter-party sniping between different factions of social and fiscal conservatives had gone the way of ex-Gov. Mike Foster; even longtime mavericks like Buddy Roemer and Dave Treen were toting the party line and working for the common cause, and there was a growing united front behind U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal’s gubernatorial bid. In Lafayette, local Republicans were cruising toward re-election. Parish party chairwoman Denice Skinner told The Daily Advertiser, “We’ve got four out of five [parish-wide elected offices] and no challengers. We must be doing something right as a party.”

But as election season kicks into high gear, Republican Party infighting and some strange alliances are revealing chinks in the armor. Vitter’s prostitution scandal has neutered his standing as the party’s top bulldog and created an awkward situation for his longtime ally Jindal. Even before the scandal broke, Vitter and U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany Jr. of Lafayette raised eyebrows with their early endorsement of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the Republican presidential nomination, a pro-choice, pro-gay rights candidate at odds with Republicans’ longstanding social conservatism. And nowhere have these unexpected developments roiled the waters more than the conservative stronghold of Lafayette Parish, where the tension among party leaders is starting to boil over.

First, state Rep. Ernie Alexander announced he would not seek a third term in the state Legislature. In a column posted on his Web site, Alexander wrote that some of the same political supporters who helped elect state Republican Sen. Mike Michot and state Rep. Joel Robideaux were now lining up behind a candidate set to oppose him. While Michot and Robideaux, an independent, insisted they had nothing to do with putting up a candidate against Alexander, the two-term state representative vented in his column: “Logic dictates it is not worth mounting a fight with current elected officials and their organization if they cannot see the great benefits which could accrue to the people we serve if only we worked together rather than in opposition to one another.”

Elsewhere in the parish, Charlie Buckels, who sits on both the parish and state Republican executive committees, is planning his own campaign against an incumbent Republican, District 31 state Rep. Don Trahan. Buckels recently took a swipe at Trahan, who is seen as a reliable conservative vote in the state Legislature, telling The Independent Weekly, “We need leadership in this district.” If they split the Republican vote, Buckels and Trahan could give an edge to the other candidate in the race, registered independent Nancy Landry.

Just last week, another parish Republican Executive Committee member, Warren Caudle, used his “RightBlog” column on The Daily Advertiser’s Web site to unload a machine-gun barrage of shots at Michot. Listing seven items, most of which describe Michot pledging alliance to multiple candidates in the same races, Caudle portrays Michot as a Cajun Machiavelli, closing out his column by writing, “Would the real Mike Michot please stand up.”

Michot was stunned to see those allegations come from Caudle, whom he had considered a friend. He says the column was rife with inaccuracies — The Advertiser has already printed one clarification regarding Caudle’s claims — and suspects it stems from some deep-seeded resentments within the parish party. Michot has angered several hard-line local Republicans in recent years, first with his support of longtime friend Joel Robideaux, a registered independent, and then by supporting city-parish president Joey Durel’s road tax proposal.

“Anybody who knows me knows that I’m not that way,” Michot says of Caudle’s column. “I’m flattered and humored at the same time that they think I’m some political powerhouse that has manipulated politics in Louisiana for the last decade. This is petty politics. ... Here we are, it’s the cannibalization of the Republican Party and the hypocrisy that rears its ugly head once again.”

Michot, currently unopposed in his bid for re-election, is striving to become one of only two third-term Republican senators in the state Legislature under what he hopes will be a Republican administration. “I’m looking forward to a leadership role with the Jindal administration,” he says, “and I would hope that the support I receive starts with the people at home. Let’s not cut each other’s throats and see who can get the credit when in the end, no one wins.”

In an interview with The Independent last week, Caudle stood by the allegations, saying he wanted to shine some light on issues that have been passed over for too long. “The state of our party is not good,” he says. He and several other local Republicans were angered over the early endorsement the state party gave to Jindal — a move that prompted another Republican, state Sen. Walter Boasso, to switch parties in his run for governor. “The party is not all behind Jindal,” Caudle says.

With the state election a little more than two months away, local Republicans have picked a bizarre time to air their dirty laundry. Add in the unexpected developments and grumbling on the state party level, and suddenly it’s getting very interesting to see how it all comes out in the wash at voting booths.

Mary is flirting with corruption? Surely not. Never.

2007-08-08T12:22:00.000-04:00

From Chad E. Rogers, at The Dead Pelican:

NEW LANDRIEU STAFFER HAS TIES TO JACK ABRAMOFF

August 08, 2007

Senator Mary Landrieu recently added a woman to her staff named Stephanie Leger. The choice has caught the attention of some, due to Leger's connections to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

According to a Washington Post article from 12/5/05, Leger was identified as a member the Abramoff team. She was listed among individuals who “lobbied for tribal clients of Jack Abramoff and, along with some of their spouses, contributed money to politicians.”

Leger was also part of a team that bilked their tribe clients out of millions. According to Gannett News Service, “In January 2002, Abramoff gave Leger-Short the job of preparing a year-end lobbying report for the Coushattas. E-mails show Abramoff asked Leger-Short to make sure she added $1 million in ‘expenses they had politically’ to the Coushatta report.”

Leger was referred to the Justice Department for taking improper payments and violating company policy at her lobbying firm. According to Gannett News Service, “In November, Fred Baggett, Abramoff’s former boss at Greenberg Traurig, told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that Leger-Short, and three other Abramoff associates took improper payments in violation of company policy and have been referred to the Justice Department.”

She later was employed by Governor Kathleen Blanco. Upon being hired, some of the details of her past employment were obscured.

According to Gannett News Service, “The Democratic governor’s announcement contained biographical information that extensively detailed Leger-Short’s career on Capitol Hill and her education. But it did not mention her time at Greenberg Traurig.”

According to Landrieu’s official web site - as of Aug. 8, 2007 (8:42 a.m. CDT) - Leger’s bio is listed as “Bio coming soon” – there is no mention of her past employment.

Jay Dardenne

2007-08-08T11:42:00.000-04:00

Jay's last quote is a hoot!

Dardenne says he was belted in, not distracted
He says he wasn't on phone during wreck

Wednesday, August 08, 2007
By Jan Moller

BATON ROUGE -- Secretary of State Jay Dardenne was wearing a seat belt and was not talking on a cell phone or using his BlackBerry when he collided with another car Monday morning, he said in a statement released by his office Tuesday.

Dardenne, 53, is recovering at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge after losing control of his 1998 Infiniti while driving to work on eastbound Interstate 12 near the Interstate 10 split.

Dardenne suffered fractured ribs and a slight concussion, and is expected to undergo surgery next week to address a pelvic fracture and a compressed disc in his lower back.

"I am in good spirits and I am expecting to make a full recovery, but I won't be jogging for a few months," Dardenne said.

According to a Baton Rouge police spokesman, Dardenne was driving in the highway's center lane when he drifted to his right and collided with another vehicle. He then overcorrected, and the vehicle cut left across the eastbound lanes before coming to rest in a drainage ditch in the median.

Although Dardenne said he doesn't remember the impact or the immediate aftermath, he said he was "not on my cell phone or my BlackBerry, as was speculated in some media reports, and I was wearing my seat belt."

The longtime Republican officeholder said he plans to seek re-election to a four-year term as secretary of state after winning a special election last year. He also has been mentioned as a possible challenger to U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., who is up for re-election in 2008.

In a telephone interview from the hospital Dardenne said he expects to be on his feet "within a couple of days" after the surgery, and that a complete recovery could take up to six months. But he expects to be back in his office "at least on an intermittent basis" by the end of August, and said he is in daily communication with his staff about office operations.

"Fortunately I don't have any cognitive disabilities other than what some may say existed before the accident," Dardenne said.

Although the rehabilitation will mean less travel and fewer public appearances as he campaigns for a second term, Dardenne said he still plans to open a campaign office this week and that other GOP officeholders have already volunteered to make appearances on his behalf.

Rudy On His Health Care Initiative

2007-08-04T10:40:00.000-04:00

A quote to remember.

2007-08-02T16:49:00.000-04:00

From Newt Gingrich:

"[Republicans] have a political and governmental doctrine that blocks creative thought in favor of fundraisers, focus groups and high paid consultants who think only of technique and never of historic duty."

Sadly, in many cases, that is very true. We need to change that, pronto. We also need solutions and Newt has some interesting ones. Take a look.

August RPRW Meeting

2007-08-02T12:29:00.000-04:00

When: Thursday, August 9, at 11:30 am

Where: Falcone’s Table, in Emerald Square, at the corner of Jackson Street and MacArthur Drive, Alexandria

Cost: $10 per person, for buffet lunch

Speaker (hopefully): Argiro Morgan, LFRW VP and chairman of the LFRW Dictionary Project

RSVP: by Tuesday, August 7, to Gena at 640-3811 or at genag@suddenlink.net - Pete Falcone plans to open his restaurant especially for us and needs to know how much fare to prepare

Every American Insured Health Act (S. 1886).

2007-08-01T08:41:00.000-04:00

S. 1886 is the bold, Republican counterproposal to the quickening march to HillaryCare, via the unbelievable expansion of SCHIP (in our case, LACHIP).

Read all about it at The Heritage Foundation. To tease, the following is the conclusion of the piece written by Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.:

Conclusion

"The Senate debate on SCHIP is pivotal for the future of American health care. There are, at the end of the day, only two basic directions in health care: greater government control or more personal freedom for individual and families choosing the health care they trust in a robust and competitive health care economy.

If Congress decides to go down the road toward SCHIP expansion, it means that more Americans will be dependent on government for their health care; taxpayers will be burdened by higher levels of government spending and increased taxation; and more Americans will lose their private health care coverage because of the "crowd-out" that accompanies government expansion.

If Congress decides instead to expand personal choice for individuals and families, it would unleash the powerful forces of the market economy to reduce health care costs, improve the quality of care, and increase patient satisfaction and family control. The Every American Insured Health Act is a visionary proposal that would change the federal tax treatment of health insurance, enabling millions of Americans to secure private coverage through health care tax credits, while harnessing the power of state innovation to make health benefit options more affordable and flexible in state health insurance markets. Beyond comprehensive tax reform, Congress should also consider other creative ways to finance refundable tax credits for low-income families, including the use of existing government funding for various programs such as SCHIP to expand coverage of choice for low-income families.

The Senate debate on SCHIP is an opportunity to go beyond the standard rhetoric on the uninsured and act to address the problem. At the end of this debate, not one child in any American family should lose existing private coverage because of congressional incompetence or indifference."

Bobby Alert, so mark your calendars, kids!

2007-07-31T12:27:00.001-04:00

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2007

Please join …

Bobby Jindal for a Meet & Greet

2:30-4:00 PM, Monday, August 6, 2007

Dry Prong Community Center
(Behind Town Hall)

Dry Prong, LA

All are invited! Please invite your family and friends!

Hope to see you there!

Bobby’s comprehensive ethics policy.

2007-07-31T09:54:00.000-04:00

Read all about it here.

Here’s another one to watch.

2007-07-31T09:21:00.000-04:00

Interestingly, Treasurer John Kennedy, in a recent interview on The Moon Griffon Show, said something to the effect that if the news doesn’t come from him, we are not to believe it. Even so, throughout the interview, I sensed that Kennedy was being a tad coy.

However this shapes up (could give Royal a royal headache), I met Treasurer Kennedy, last May, after he gave the commencement address at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He’s a very nice man. Nevertheless, in listening to his speech, it became clear that, although he’s a spending watchdog, he’s a lib.

Read on:

Kyle ponders run for treasurer’s post

By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Jul 31, 2007

After unsuccessful bids to become governor and insurance commissioner, Republican Dan Kyle is considering a race for state treasurer.

Kyle, 69, said Monday he will enter the race only if state Treasurer John Kennedy no longer wants the job.

“I think John’s done a good job and he has a very good approval rating,” he said.

Kennedy, a Democrat, is considering running for state attorney general rather than seek re-election this fall. Candidates must sign up in early September for statewide elected offices.

Kennedy’s aide, Jason Redmond, said Kennedy is weighing his options.

The state treasurer is responsible for overseeing, investing and disbursing state funds. The treasurer also chairs the state Bond Commission, which approves state-backed borrowing.

In the past several years, Kennedy sparred with Senate President Don Hines, D-Bunkie, over the state’s support of a syrup mill for Hines’ district.

Hines backed legislation during the recent session to lessen Kennedy’s influence over the Bond Commission. Kennedy accused Hines of trying to retaliate against him. Hines denied it. The bill ultimately died.

Kyle, who served as the state’s legislative auditor, said he wants to focus on finance and push politics aside if elected treasurer.

“I’m apparently not a very good politician,” he joked.

Kyle briefly ran for governor in 2003 before dropping out of that race to run for insurance commissioner.

He lost in the runoff to Robert Wooley.

Kyle now serves as a BREC commissioner and as deputy chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party.

He said there are only two jobs he ever wanted besides legislative auditor — treasurer and governor.

Kyle said his background as a certified public accountant fits the background a treasurer needs.

He describes himself as a numbers person who understands interest rates.

One financial area Kyle knows he will have to focus on is campaign finance.

His most recent campaign finance report from the insurance commissioner’s race shows a balance of $2,390.36 in cash on hand.

Kyle said he will have to commit personal funds and raise a “good portion” if he decides to run.

The election is Oct. 20.

Royal Alert!

2007-07-27T13:04:00.000-04:00

A Central Louisiana fund raising event is planned for Royal Alexander, candidate for Attorney General.

When: Monday, August 20, at 6:00 pm

Where: At the home of Cynthia and Kevin Delaney, 3911 Pecan Drive, Alexandria

Contribution: $100 per person; * $500 for Host Committee membership

For more information: Karen Haymon at kkhaymon@aol.com or at 318/308-1361

* Deadline for Host Committee membership is Tuesday, July 31.

You da man, Boasso. (Expletive deleted)

2007-07-25T09:37:00.000-04:00

Bobby's new ad.

2007-07-25T09:27:00.000-04:00

The slap that wasn't. LOL!

2007-07-21T11:23:00.000-04:00

It really is funny, so go here to have a listen. ;->

Newt is a hoot!

2007-07-21T11:13:00.000-04:00

The Campaign to Elect Chris Hazel...

2007-07-20T16:55:00.000-04:00

... is well out of the gate and CenLa GoPAC has endorsed him. Other endorsements are in the offing; but, as with all campaigns, Chris needs plenty of financial help. The incumbent in LA House District 27, who *has* to go, has a decent war chest, so please consider sending some help.

Go to Chris's web site, here. It's not quite complete, so please send your contributions to:

Campaign to Elect Chris Hazel
5930 Adrian Drive
Ball, Louisiana 71405

Please offer your muscle, as well. ;->

Mark your calendars.

2007-07-19T14:18:00.001-04:00

FRIDAY JULY 20th

Please Join …

Bobby Jindal & Top NRA Officials (Wayne LaPierre & Chris Cox)

1:30 PM

Diamond Grill

Downtown Alexandria

924 Third Street

Alexandria, LA 71301

All are invited! Please invite your family and friends!

Hope to see you there!

Questions: blake@bobbyjindal.com

Neil Kavanagh...

2007-07-18T13:12:00.000-04:00

... seconds Lee Fletcher by focusing on opposition researcher, Donna Brazile:

If You Strike At The King...

Now that the knee jerk reaction to Sen. Vitter's outing has subsided, more thoughtful minds are beginning to ask questions that were overlooked by the major media mouthpieces.

Here's a sample… Everyone knows that the last 10 days of a Louisiana legislative session are the most frantic. That's when the deals are cut and the money split. So, why would Governor Blanco travel to Washington during these last days of a critical session to meet with Donna Brazile and Mary Landrieu? Hmmmmmm!

We all remember Donna, she the New Orleans gal that rose to the pinnacle of the National Democrat party through her expertise on opposition research. In other words, she's a political dirt raker. She has a long and distinguished career working with the cream if the liberal crop. Names like Jimmy Carter, Jessie Jackson and Michael Dukakis. Brazile also has a long history of using sex-based rumors to attack her opponents. She was fired from the Dukakis campaign for making false accusations about George H.W. Bush, and is rumored to have given Larry Flynt the dirt on Rep. Bob Livingston. Brazile is the queen of Washington sex scandals.

So I have to wonder, why was Kathleen Blanco meeting with Donna Brazile and Mary Landrieu in a hurry up trip to Washington DC during the last 10 days of the session? Could it be that they were polishing up the plan to out Vitter? Could it be that Blanco was there to give her approval? Hmmmmmm!

And what about Larry Flynt and his million dollar reward for “dirt?” We all remember Larry…he's the bi-polar smut peddler who molested his own daughter, according to her. Flynt is famous for attacking conservative lawmakers who criticize the porn industry. He's also famous for his cozy relationship with the National Democrat Party. Flynt's tabloid reporter Dan Moldea took only 48 hours to comb through 15,000 individual phone records and cross reference them all to find five entries of David Vitter's phone number. Flynt also contends that there are other Washington politicians who are on the list and he will reveal their names as fast as they can find them. However, Flynt, his staff and the mainstream media have had a full week to disclose any of the other names. As of yet, nothing has surfaced.

Could it be that Flynt was instructed to target Vitter alone? Perhaps Flynt was even given the list by Donna Brazile with Vitter's number highlighted? Hmmmmmm!

What would Kathleen Blanco and the Louisiana Democratic party have to gain with David Vitter fighting a sex scandal? Consider this; the elections this year will be the best chance the Republicans have ever had for a complete take-over of Louisiana State Government. Up until now, David Vitter has had a 70% plus positive rating with Louisiana voters. That translates to very long coat tails that many state candidates were going to ride into office. Now, with Vitter crippled, it might not be that easy. Also, you can believe that prominent Washington Democrats are grinning at Vitter's embarrassment, a little pay-back for stopping the illegal alien amnesty bill.

Wouldn't these two factors be enough motivation to attempt to end Vitter's career by digging up old dirt? Who is better equipped to carry out this plot than the sex scandal queen of Washington D.C Donna Brazile? Hmmmmmm!

So how do we find the truth in all of this? Voters who have lived in this state know that Louisiana invented hardball, play for keeps politics. Present these observations to any political pundit in this state and they will tell you that these speculations come to no surprise, we've seen this type of political combat before... and this little war is far from over.

believe it was Machiavelli who said, “If you strike at the King, you must slay him, lest he rise and seek retribution…” Senator David Vitter is still very much alive. He returns to Washington this week, bloodied and broken, but still alive and very determined.

John Maginnis on the scandal.

2007-07-18T13:04:00.000-04:00

LaPolitics.com:

July 18 2007

The Vitter Affair in Perspective

There's a joke, less funny than true, that puts most of the blame for the slowness of the state's recovery following the 2005 hurricanes on that woman, Monica Lewinsky. Had she not encouraged that easily tempted president, there would have been no impeachment proceedings, Hustler Magazine would not have exposed the extramarital affair of Congressman Bob Livingston, R-La., he would not have resigned, and then, seven years later, the 17th Street Canal levee would have broken in the district of the Speaker of the House.

Had he not been toppled, Livingston, then in line to be elected to the top leadership position, would have seen to it that Louisiana got all the federal relief money it needed the first time it asked, instead of trying for a third time, as is the case now.

That sad exercise of "what if" gives some perspective to Sen. David Vitter's troubles following his being linked to prostitutes in Washington and New Orleans. Compared to the effect of Livingston's departure, this is nothing. In Washington, it has provided a Congress fatigued by war debates and corruption scandals with the summer diversion of a good old-fashioned sex scandal. Even accusations that he is a hypocrite, given his past ringing defense of traditional marriage, are unfair, since married men going to prostitutes is as traditional as the institution itself.

Sure, it reflects poorly on his state, but what's new? As far as checks and balances on powerful Louisiana politicians go, the FBI polices the Democrats while Hustler takes care of Republicans.

Vitter won't go the way of Livingston, whose consolation prize is a multi-million-dollar income for lobbying his former colleagues. With less than three years service and now in the minority party, Vitter has not achieved the status that warrants a serious call for his resignation, though the Louisiana Democratic Party is taking a stab at it.

Most ambitious young politicians start out thinking they could be president one day. Their defining moment comes when they realize they won't be. That's Vitter's lot now as a former rising star. Republican leaders in the Senate are likely to pass him over for plum committee assignments, preferring to invest in undamaged goods. Taking a seat on the back bench is hardly the impetus to spring one out of bed in the morning.

Oddly, Vitter's indiscretion seemed to make bigger waves in the state than did Livingston's fall at the time, because the latter was overshadowed by the impeachment of the president. Also, though almost speaker, Livingston was less a commanding figure than Vitter in state politics, where the greater impact of this scandal will be felt.

Starting with Congressman Bobby Jindal, who fortunately scheduled his first statewide campaign swing for this week instead of last Monday, the Republican frontrunner has lost a mighty weapon in Vitter. The senator was set to run bruising interference for Jindal, allowing the candidate to stick to the high road. That loss could spell a crucial difference for Jindal come October if he is scrapping to hold off opponents to snare a victory in the primary.

Also, don't look for Vitter to be out campaigning for Republican legislative candidates this fall, despite having made winning a GOP majority in the state House of Representatives his pet project.

Next year, Vitter might be back to close to his old self, in time to lead the GOP charge against Sen. Mary Landrieu's re-election bid. Or perhaps not. As it appears now, she will be able to focus on her future opposition without having to take much lip from her junior colleague.

Yet, his detractors would be wise not to count out the tenacious Vitter as a force again in Louisiana politics, though for now he will assume a less combative role.

He's back on the job, remorseful but chin up, focusing anew on the state's recovery as part of the effort to recover his own career. But as with storm-ravaged communities, the Vitter restoration will be a long, hard slog, and though things will get better for him, they will never be the same.

Amazing Wendy hit it out of the park.

2007-07-17T10:13:00.000-04:00

Thanks, Aaron. Pfft.

2007-07-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

I doubt it, but hey...

From 99.5FM:

Broussard: Georges Could Make It A Race

Jeff Parish President says Jindal could face challenge if John Georges runs as Democrat
Monday, July 16, 2007

Jefferson Parish President, Aaron Broussard says Bobby Jindal could face a significant challenge if businessman, John Georges were to switch parties and seek the Governor's office as a Democrat.

In an interview on the Jim Brown Show on 99.5FM, Broussard says Georges is not well-known statewide, but he says "you could get pretty well known with $5 million."

Georges, has said he is prepared to spend $5 million of his own money in the race.

The way Broussard handicaps the race, "in an open primary race, 40% is to the right, 40% is to the left and the 20% that is in the middle is what elects you Governor.

Broussard says Bobby Jindal is starting on the right and with no major threat on the left, he takes the 20% in the middle.

But he says if Georges switched parties and ran as a Democrat he might galvanize liberal voters and in that case, Broussard says, "Jindal would be facing a different set of challenges."

Asked about the challenges facing Senator David Vitter, Broussard suggested that the Senator take a page out of Sheriff Harry Lee's playbook. Broussard says the Sheriff has been one of the most popular figures in Jefferson Parish history because "his credo has been honesty and he has always been straightforward."

Broussard, says he was speaking "generically" about the Vitter case, suggested that elected officials who might find themselves in Vitter's position need to "come out and talk frankly, face all the tough questions and lay it out on the line."

Senator David Vitter to Break Silence, 5pm News Conference. LIVE ON WAFB (BR)

2007-07-16T16:29:00.000-04:00

Breaking news, from Louisiana News Link:

United State Senator David Vitter has scheduled a 5pm news conference in Metairie today where he is expected to finally speak publicly about his admitted ties to a Washington, D.C. prostitution ring.

WAFB 9NEWS in Baton Rouge will carry the press conference live, during WAFB 9NEWS at 5.

Thank you, Kathleen. Really.

2007-07-14T15:45:00.000-04:00

Friday, Governor Kathleen B. Blanco signed into law the ban on the utterly brutal practice of partial-birth abortion.

For once, Louisiana being first – and, in this ban, we are – is an extremely good thing. We are leading on this and should be *very* proud.

Senator Blanco???

2007-07-14T11:37:00.000-04:00

Be careful what you pray for, Vince and Jeff. However brazen, it certainly is possible.

From Roy Fletcher, via The Town Hall Show:

Blanco Wants to Be Senator

Several days ago, right after the David Vitter story broke, I opined to the esteemed journalist, John Hill, that I thought Senator Vitter could not last a week. Like everyone else, I took the reports of the Vitter debacle with amazement that Vitter engaged in such activity, compassion for Vitter’s four children and wife, and concern for David Vitter himself, and I did not think that anyone could survive such pressure. More importantly, I took the Vitter reports as simply the press uncovering facts about Vitter’s secret life.

Now, with the passage of time, there are obvious clues that something is rotten, as usual, in Louisiana politics. Yes, the clues are obvious.

There’s a political agenda going on that relates directly to the madam’s interview and Flynt’s comments. It’s an ugly agenda, and it’s an agenda that has no regard for four innocent children, a wife, a family, and the people of Louisiana.

If Vitter resigned, who would appoint his successor? Not Bush. Not Cheney. Not the Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party. The appointment would be made by one Kathleen Blanco, thus demonstrating why some are salivating over Vitter’s possible resignation.

Who would Blanco appoint? She’s already told us in an indirect way. She has said the “Vitter scandal” has hurt Louisiana, because we need someone who understands our needs after Katrina. Ah! Who best to understand this than one Mrs. Blanco? What a wonderful way to finish your political career, because the person she appoints cannot run for the Senate seat in the special election that will be held.

Now, by appointing herself, Mrs. Blanco gets a “twofer” and so do the Democrats. What do I mean? Well, Mitch Landrieu, the Lt. Governor, then, becomes Acting Governor, and he is under no obligation not to run for Governor in this Fall’s election. Can you imagine the money he can raise from the Governor’s Office?

Suddenly, the Democrats have a new Senator and, perhaps, a better chance in the governor’s race. This potential makes it imperative that Vitter resign soon in order to give Mitch a chance to raise the needed funds, since qualifying is in early September.

The facts are beginning to suggest what we all know. Politics is a contact sport. It’s tough, mean-spirited and down right nasty. Vitter’s problems demonstrate that one has to be very careful in the image they project, but the corrupt part of this story is the manipulations of the situation for political advantage.

If someone is promoting the madam, as I strongly suspect, this is corrupt politics. If the timing of Flynt’s press conference was coordinated, knowing there were no more revelations, this is corrupt politics. If Vitter resigns and the events unfold as I suspect they will this was dirty, corrupt politics.

Yes, something is rotten in Louisiana politics. It’s no wonder more than a decade ago, a young congressman running for governor, Buddy Roemer, said: “I love Louisiana, but I hate Louisiana politics!” David Vitter, you should hate it too, so stand your ground, take public responsibility, continue to be a good Senator, and let those of us who do this for a living uncover the roaches under the rocks.

Interesting...

2007-07-12T17:49:00.000-04:00

From Lee Fletcher:

Thursday, July 12th, 2007
Vitter Exposed as Payback For Killing Amensty Bill

Senator Vitter did the right thing by telling the truth, taking responsibility for his actions with God and his family, and apologizing to us. He deserves forgiveness. He also will face voters down the road who will make the ultimate decision on his future.

This hit is disturbing...here is why....

These incidents occurred many years ago in David's past - prior to his work as a U.S. Senator and have no connection to his service as a Senator.

David Vitter has accomplished a great deal while serving in the Senate including:

Effectively leading the charge to kill a bad amnesty bill
Fighting for access to cheaper and more affordable prescription drugs Securing vital highway and infrastructure project funding for the state
Fighting tireless for water resource and hurricane protection

It's unfortunate that political enemies and the news media have turned this past mistake/sin - before he was even in the Senate - into a feeding frenzy and a license to report false rumors.

David did the right thing as Senator but is paying a personal price on this one in my view.

Canal Street Story is Bogus:

The Canal Street Madam is pushing a book and television deal - effectively using David's situation to further her own financial gain.

All FOUR attorneys on the Madam case say Vitter wasn't involved - including U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, the madam's own defense attorney and the attorneys for her mother and daughter.

ABC 26 New Orleans aired the madam holding a black book insinuating Vitter's name was in it on Tuesday evening, and reported on Wednesday evening that the Madam claims she burned all Vitter's record... What's was the significance of the video of her holding the black book the day before?

Bottom line: Vitter is getting hit because he killed the Amensty Bill.

Where did this hit come from?

No question it is a professional political hit of the highest order executed with precision and targetted like an assassination attempt on David Vitter's career. It is clear that the hit was executed in DC circles and by DC operatives...

But....One may want to simply do the following:

Ask Kathleen Blanco what she was doing in DC recently and who all she met with and why...and what she and Mary Landrieu discussed in their most recent meeting....One specifc name you may want to also note is that of Donna Brazile (DC Political Operative and Former Al Gore Campaign Manager) who was in private meetings with Governor Blanco.

It is not hard to connect the dots but I leave it up to you to do so.

Sad.

2007-07-12T14:19:00.000-04:00

Historical romance novelist, Kathleen Woodiwiss, born in Alexandria and a resident of Cheneyville, lost her battle with cancer, in a Minnesota hospital, on July 6, 2007. She was 68 years old.

Kathleen is one Republican who will be sorely missed.