LA. Gov. Blanco will not seek Re-Election
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Blacknbengal
Well-Known Member
So Long, Me-Maw
So Long, Me-Maw
In New Orleans, they aren?t shedding a tear over Louisiana Gov. Blanco?s decision not to seek a second term. A letter from the Garden District.
By Julia Reed
Newsweek
Updated: 9:38 a.m. ET March 23, 2007
March 22, 2007 - New Orleans, 18 months after Katrina, is still a city of considerable ups and downs. Tuesday was no different; as usual, the bad news came first. The first e-mail I received informed me that a block and a half from our new house, at 1:30 in the afternoon, two hold-ups occurred in less than 10 minutes?and I live in Garden District, still perceived as a ?nice? neighborhood, despite the alarming frequency of similar attacks, along with a recent rash of break-ins of both cars and houses (one of them was mine). First, a gunman wielding a ?chrome short nose revolver? relieved a sod delivery man of the $30 in his pockets. Next, he snatched a woman?s purse, jumped into an ?unknown black vehicle,? and roared away.
As crimes go in the city with by far the highest murder rate in the nation (96 per every 100,000 people in 2006; more than 40 people overall have been killed so far in 2007), these could actually be viewed as good news?nobody was killed or even shot, after all. But the real good news came in my next e-mail: Gov. Kathleen Blanco announced that she would not seek re-election to a second term.
Blanco, a former high-school business teacher-turned-public servant, elected in 2003 as the first woman governor of Louisiana, became one of the many not-so-happy public faces of Katrina, along with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and FEMA?s Mike ?Brownie? Brown. In the storm?s immediate aftermath, she appeared so disoriented that one press account of her public appearances went so far as to suggest that she seemed ?over-medicated.? Times-Picayune columnist James Gill reported that ??Me-Maw?s tranked? is the word on the street.? (Blanco is sometimes nicknamed ?Me-Maw? due to her grandmotherly affect.) That general perception was not helped when she was overheard by a CNN producer while still miked, admitting that she hadn?t known it was the governor?s responsibility to call out the National Guard. She then engaged in a two-day argument with President Bush over whether the guard troops should be federalized, thus keeping those troops ready to go literally waiting on runways around the nation. (When I returned to the city 10 days after the storm, Oklahoma guard troops told me they had been given the heads up that they?d be deployed on Wednesday after the storm, and then sat suited up for three more days before finally being given permission to deploy.) In the end, she opted against federalization.
Rest of story
Me-Maw!!!
So Long, Me-Maw
In New Orleans, they aren?t shedding a tear over Louisiana Gov. Blanco?s decision not to seek a second term. A letter from the Garden District.
By Julia Reed
Newsweek
Updated: 9:38 a.m. ET March 23, 2007
March 22, 2007 - New Orleans, 18 months after Katrina, is still a city of considerable ups and downs. Tuesday was no different; as usual, the bad news came first. The first e-mail I received informed me that a block and a half from our new house, at 1:30 in the afternoon, two hold-ups occurred in less than 10 minutes?and I live in Garden District, still perceived as a ?nice? neighborhood, despite the alarming frequency of similar attacks, along with a recent rash of break-ins of both cars and houses (one of them was mine). First, a gunman wielding a ?chrome short nose revolver? relieved a sod delivery man of the $30 in his pockets. Next, he snatched a woman?s purse, jumped into an ?unknown black vehicle,? and roared away.
As crimes go in the city with by far the highest murder rate in the nation (96 per every 100,000 people in 2006; more than 40 people overall have been killed so far in 2007), these could actually be viewed as good news?nobody was killed or even shot, after all. But the real good news came in my next e-mail: Gov. Kathleen Blanco announced that she would not seek re-election to a second term.
Blanco, a former high-school business teacher-turned-public servant, elected in 2003 as the first woman governor of Louisiana, became one of the many not-so-happy public faces of Katrina, along with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and FEMA?s Mike ?Brownie? Brown. In the storm?s immediate aftermath, she appeared so disoriented that one press account of her public appearances went so far as to suggest that she seemed ?over-medicated.? Times-Picayune columnist James Gill reported that ??Me-Maw?s tranked? is the word on the street.? (Blanco is sometimes nicknamed ?Me-Maw? due to her grandmotherly affect.) That general perception was not helped when she was overheard by a CNN producer while still miked, admitting that she hadn?t known it was the governor?s responsibility to call out the National Guard. She then engaged in a two-day argument with President Bush over whether the guard troops should be federalized, thus keeping those troops ready to go literally waiting on runways around the nation. (When I returned to the city 10 days after the storm, Oklahoma guard troops told me they had been given the heads up that they?d be deployed on Wednesday after the storm, and then sat suited up for three more days before finally being given permission to deploy.) In the end, she opted against federalization.
Rest of story
Me-Maw!!!
Blacknbengal
Well-Known Member
You messed up Me-Maw......
ALPHA3
Active Member
I don't think Frat meant it that way. I think what he's saying is that a politician will come with a platform that will get the attention a potential vote. Then half way through their term, he forgets what got him/her in office due to political pressures.
Dr. Sweet NUPE
New Member
That's every politician except the ones who were independently wealthy prior to taking office....(excpet Murphy "Mike" Foster:lmao
GRAM4LIFE
Well-Known Member
If Jindal is the same individual who was over the ULS when Grambling was going thru it's issues I say he would never get my vote. If so, he is the same individual who personally hired the incompetent individuals to so called "save Grambling" only in reality making it worse. I'll pass.
cat daddy
Active Member
Breaux plans to run
Residency question put to attorney general
By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Mar 24, 2007
Former U.S. Sen. John Breaux said Friday he plans to become a candidate for governor if the state?s chief legal officer says he is eligible.
At issue is whether Breaux, a Democrat, is a ?citizen? of Louisiana, as the state constitution requires of candidates for statewide office.
?I know I?m a citizen of Louisiana. ? My family probably got there in the 1700s,? he said in a telephone interview.
Legal opinions from the attorney general do not carry the weight of a court ruling, and Republicans say they might take the ?citizen? issue to court.
But such opinions are the official position of state government?s chief lawyer.
The Louisiana Republican Party contends Breaux is not eligible because he lives and works in the Washington, D.C., area. Breaux, 63, is a lobbyist with the Patton Boggs law firm.
Breaux dismissed the party?s stance as old-style, destructive politics.
The election is Oct. 20.
Louisiana House Democratic caucus chairman Eric LaFleur of Ville Platte said he will ask Attorney General Charles Foti next week to write a legal opinion on the issue.
LaFleur said he wants to clear the way for Breaux to be able to run because he would bring a national stature to the job.
?The most amazing thing is he would forgo what he does now and the financial gain to come back and be governor,? he said.
Many Democrats are talking about Breaux as their candidate of choice now that Gov. Kathleen Blanco is no longer running for re-election.
Breaux also is perceived as being a formidable opponent against Republican U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal of Kenner.
Breaux said he is considering running because he wants to help the state, which is still dealing with the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
?I?m not coming back to save the Democratic Party or destroy the Republican Party,? he said. ?I?m coming back to save Louisiana.?
Only government entities or public officials can request an opinion from the attorney general. Breaux no longer holds public office.
Full Story Here
Residency question put to attorney general
By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Mar 24, 2007
Former U.S. Sen. John Breaux said Friday he plans to become a candidate for governor if the state?s chief legal officer says he is eligible.
At issue is whether Breaux, a Democrat, is a ?citizen? of Louisiana, as the state constitution requires of candidates for statewide office.
?I know I?m a citizen of Louisiana. ? My family probably got there in the 1700s,? he said in a telephone interview.
Legal opinions from the attorney general do not carry the weight of a court ruling, and Republicans say they might take the ?citizen? issue to court.
But such opinions are the official position of state government?s chief lawyer.
The Louisiana Republican Party contends Breaux is not eligible because he lives and works in the Washington, D.C., area. Breaux, 63, is a lobbyist with the Patton Boggs law firm.
Breaux dismissed the party?s stance as old-style, destructive politics.
The election is Oct. 20.
Louisiana House Democratic caucus chairman Eric LaFleur of Ville Platte said he will ask Attorney General Charles Foti next week to write a legal opinion on the issue.
LaFleur said he wants to clear the way for Breaux to be able to run because he would bring a national stature to the job.
?The most amazing thing is he would forgo what he does now and the financial gain to come back and be governor,? he said.
Many Democrats are talking about Breaux as their candidate of choice now that Gov. Kathleen Blanco is no longer running for re-election.
Breaux also is perceived as being a formidable opponent against Republican U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal of Kenner.
Breaux said he is considering running because he wants to help the state, which is still dealing with the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
?I?m not coming back to save the Democratic Party or destroy the Republican Party,? he said. ?I?m coming back to save Louisiana.?
Only government entities or public officials can request an opinion from the attorney general. Breaux no longer holds public office.
Full Story Here
ALPHA3
Active Member
http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/04/boasso_makes_switch_to_democra.html
Boasso makes switch to Democrats
Posted by Capital bureau April 26, 2007 2:38PM
By Ed Anderson
and Bill Barrow
Capital bureau
BATON ROUGE -- Sen. Walter Boasso of Arabi, a self-made millionaire whose campaign for governor has been mired in low-digit poll numbers, jumped from the ranks of the Republicans to the Democrats Thursday, saying the switch affords him a better chance to advance what he called his reform agenda.
Boasso sent aides to the St. Bernard Registrar Voters Office around 11:30 a.m. with the form to change party affiliations parish Registrar of Voters Rita Crumhorn said.
Boasso, who became a Republican in the mid-1990s, released a statement shortly after 1 p.m., saying that he is rejoining the Democratic Party "because I believe that running as a Democrat will give me the best opportunity to push an agenda of change and reform. The people of Louisiana, regardless of party affiliation, are in search of a leader and are eager to stand side by side with someone willing to challenge the establishment and reform our state."
Boasso was elected to the state Senate four years ago and has developed a reputation as a maverick, pushing an agenda that included a post-hurricane consolidation of levee districts in south Louisiana, and attempting changes to the state's retirement system.
Boasso was unhappy when the state Republican Party took no stand on backing a candidate at its recent meeting in Lafayette then a few days later its executive committee -- speaking on behalf of the state GOP -- announced it was supporting front-running U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner.
Besides Boasso, the other Democrats in the race are Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell of Bossier Parish; and the Rev. Raymond Brown of New Orleans, a civil rights activist. Besides Jindal, the only other GOP candidate in the race is unannounced Jefferson Parish businessman John Georges, who has loaned his campaign $5.5 million.
Other announced candidates are independent Anthony Gentile of Mandeville; and Libertarian T. Lee Horne III of Franklin.
Boasso, the son of a retired school teacher and a disabled union electrician, was the first candidate to launch a statewide media campaign saying he is "tired of the same old same old" politics in Baton Rouge.
"We wish him well," said state GOP Chairman Roger Villere. "Obviously he is comfortable as a Democrat. But I think Bobby (Jindal) is in good shape."
Efforts to reach Campbell after Boasso's announcement were not successful. Campbell has mostly declined opportunities to talk about the rest of the field as other Democratic hopefuls -- from Gov. Kathleen Blanco to former U.S. Sen. John Breaux -- either abandoned the race or declined to run.
Boasso begins his Democratic candidacy trailing not just in the polls but also the money race.
In his most recent campaign finance disclosures, which cover the period from Jan. 1 to April 13, Boasso reported a balance of $44,913. He had spent $611,561. A $550,000 personal loan dwarfed the senator's $90,450 in contributions from others.
Boasso makes switch to Democrats
Posted by Capital bureau April 26, 2007 2:38PM
By Ed Anderson
and Bill Barrow
Capital bureau
BATON ROUGE -- Sen. Walter Boasso of Arabi, a self-made millionaire whose campaign for governor has been mired in low-digit poll numbers, jumped from the ranks of the Republicans to the Democrats Thursday, saying the switch affords him a better chance to advance what he called his reform agenda.
Boasso sent aides to the St. Bernard Registrar Voters Office around 11:30 a.m. with the form to change party affiliations parish Registrar of Voters Rita Crumhorn said.
Boasso, who became a Republican in the mid-1990s, released a statement shortly after 1 p.m., saying that he is rejoining the Democratic Party "because I believe that running as a Democrat will give me the best opportunity to push an agenda of change and reform. The people of Louisiana, regardless of party affiliation, are in search of a leader and are eager to stand side by side with someone willing to challenge the establishment and reform our state."
Boasso was elected to the state Senate four years ago and has developed a reputation as a maverick, pushing an agenda that included a post-hurricane consolidation of levee districts in south Louisiana, and attempting changes to the state's retirement system.
Boasso was unhappy when the state Republican Party took no stand on backing a candidate at its recent meeting in Lafayette then a few days later its executive committee -- speaking on behalf of the state GOP -- announced it was supporting front-running U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner.
Besides Boasso, the other Democrats in the race are Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell of Bossier Parish; and the Rev. Raymond Brown of New Orleans, a civil rights activist. Besides Jindal, the only other GOP candidate in the race is unannounced Jefferson Parish businessman John Georges, who has loaned his campaign $5.5 million.
Other announced candidates are independent Anthony Gentile of Mandeville; and Libertarian T. Lee Horne III of Franklin.
Boasso, the son of a retired school teacher and a disabled union electrician, was the first candidate to launch a statewide media campaign saying he is "tired of the same old same old" politics in Baton Rouge.
"We wish him well," said state GOP Chairman Roger Villere. "Obviously he is comfortable as a Democrat. But I think Bobby (Jindal) is in good shape."
Efforts to reach Campbell after Boasso's announcement were not successful. Campbell has mostly declined opportunities to talk about the rest of the field as other Democratic hopefuls -- from Gov. Kathleen Blanco to former U.S. Sen. John Breaux -- either abandoned the race or declined to run.
Boasso begins his Democratic candidacy trailing not just in the polls but also the money race.
In his most recent campaign finance disclosures, which cover the period from Jan. 1 to April 13, Boasso reported a balance of $44,913. He had spent $611,561. A $550,000 personal loan dwarfed the senator's $90,450 in contributions from others.