Topics
Orwell's 1984Substantial National IssuesUSA in 2012
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President - Louisiana primary on February 9, 2008 may take place after the issue is already decided, February 5 is Super Tuesday. Louisiana Republicans caucus to pick 47 delegates after the vote. By party rules, 21 go to the statewide winner and the rest are split proportionally.
- Hillary hatred seems to outweigh all other political considerations in this state, we could face another hostile President if she is elected
- Solid Red State, McCain enjoys a nearly 20% lead over Hillary or Obama making this another ho hum election.
- Jindal has been getting some speculation as a possible McCain VP. But Bobby appeared on Leno's Tonight Show and said he's got the job he wants as Governor. We'll see how that holds up as the convention nears.
Senate - Mary Landrieu is up for reelection in 2008 in what could be a tight race. No announcements yet.
- Vitter
is safe until 2010 unless he unexpectedly decides to resign in the face
of continuing prostitution scandals. Hustler Magazine has a particular
antipathy for Vitter.
House of Representatives - Bobby
Jindal's District 1 seat was up for grabs (Metairie and
Northshore). The special election in May 2008 put Steve Scalise in the driver's seat keeping this Republican stronghold firmly aligned with the conservative right.
- Bill Jefferson's District 2 seat in N.O. may be
contested as his legal probems continue to develop and population
dynamics shift. Republicans are unlikely to gain control, but a white
Democrat could win an upset victory in Orleans and the rest of this gerrymandered district ("federal consent decree"). Whether Jeffersonians are happy with their decision to support Jefferson over Karen Carter to deny her the incumbency while prosecutors dealt with Jefferson is not clear. However third place candidate Derrick Shepard was indicted by the feds in April 2008 and sister Betty Jefferson is rumored to be indicted next. What a glorious mess! Maybe Nagin will run for Congress.
- Charlie Melancon in District 3 St. Bernard faces a dramatic population loss
- Jim McCreary in 4 Shreveport
- Rodney Alexander in 5 Monroe
- Richard Baker stepped down suddenly in 6 Baton Rouge triggering a special election in May 2008 and Democrat Don Cazayoux beat Woody Jenkins for the spot. The relatively short incumbency may trigger a vicious rematch in November.
- Charles Boustany in 7 Lake Charles got hit hard by Rita and is recovering from the forgotten storm
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