(I’m working on what seems to be shaping up to become an all-nighter of a research paper, so please use this thread to discuss the latest goings-on in Louisiana. I’m heartened to hear that Breaux’s legal team believes that “citizenship” isn’t much of an obstacle–and indeed, “citizen” as a legal term is a much broader requirement than “resident”. – promoted by James L.)
1. John Breaux Is A Citizen
Breaux said there’s no question that he meets the state Constitution’s requirement of being a “citizen” of Louisiana for the past five years, even though he changed his voter registration to Maryland in 2005.
“I don’t just own two lots in Crowley. It is my family home. When my mama died, I inherited half of it. My dad lives there. We pay taxes on it. My wife, Lois, owns property in Louisiana,” Breaux said. “I never revoked my citizenship in Louisiana.”
Lawyers have looked at the constitutional requirement and determined he meets the citizenship requirement, Breaux said.
Breaux will announce in the “very near future,” or after he has a discussion with Blanco. Foster Campell will still run, and Jindal’s supporters have hijacked the comments thread attached to the article. But this is my favorite comment:
But his citizenship is not the issue, he said.
“The issues are health care, education and rebuilding. That’s what it is all about,” Breaux said.
2. Mary Landrieu Is Above 50%
GOP Sets Sights on Landrieu
The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a poll yesterday aimed at demonstrating the vulnerability of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in her 2008 reelection bid.
Fifty-one percent of the sample said they would vote to reelect Landrieu and 42 percent said they would consider someone new — a sign, according to pollster Glen Bolger, that Landrieu is a “vulnerable Democratic incumbent.”
Although Bolger writes that “when voters are given a choice between Landrieu and a Republican they know, they invariably choose the Republican,” the poll memo includes data for only one statewide head-to-head matchup: Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-La.), who is running for governor this year, led Landrieu by 55 percent to 39 percent. No matchup between Landrieu and Rep. Richard H. Baker (La.) — the Republicans’ preferred candidate — is mentioned in the memo.
Landrieu won her seat in 1996 by 5,788 votes and was reelected in 2002 with 52 percent of the vote.
One problem to consider is the NRSC’s decision to poll Landrieu against Jindal, especially as Breaux is still considering a gubernatorial bid. Another is the inherent bias of this Republican poll: Is Landrieu more popular than the results claim? And would Jindal really have a chance if Breaux defeats him in 2007? And lastly, is Landrieu as vulnerable as the RSCC claims when over 50% of Louisianans want her reelected?
Race Tracker: LA-Sen
but Breaux running at the top of the ticket would really, really solidify Landrieu’s chances, especially in light of the recent poll.
Thank you for paying some attention to Louisiana and this year’s race for governor, but this ‘John Breaux as savior’ bit is too much to stomach.
This happened four years ago. The “Breaux’s running” rumor was rampant. There was much panting of breath and mopping of beaded brows over the prospect, but nothing ever came of it. Breaux stayed in Washington, served out his term and then cashed in as a lobbyist.
John Breaux had the good fortune of following Edwin Edwards to Congress and not being corrupt. He developed a great tennis game during his time in the House and Senate. His record of accomplishments is embarrassingly short. With his defeat of Henson Moore for Russell Long’s senate seat, Breaux became the prototypical good hair, empty suit, stand-for-nothing-fall-for-anything politician that rose to prominence in both houses of Congress in the 1990s.
Let’s not forget that this reasonable man enabled the first four years of disastrous economic and foreign policy policies of the current Bush administration.
He’s also co-chair of the Bush blue ribbon panel that is supposed to come up with some plan to privatize Social Security.
I don’t believe John Breaux wants be governor because that would involve having to make tough choices and that would mean hard work – something he’s never shown any affinity for at any point in his political career.
How about producing a list of clients Breaux represents as a lobbyist and tell me then if you think this is a Democrat worth getting excited about.
Breaux deserves a healthy dose of the blame for Blanco’s (now forgotten) healthcare reform effort. She turned to Breaux for help and he stacked the “blue ribbon” panel with trailing edge corporate types who parroted gibberish about “the markets” but produced nothing in terms of recommendations that would bring meaningful change to the state and its healthcare delivery system.
This Breaux mania – particularly on blogs – demonstrates a real lack of knowledge about the man, the state and the people who live here.
Beating Bobby Jindal is not the only this election is about. It’s about bringing about meaningful change in a state in desperate need of it. Breaux might appear to be a formidable candidate, but the last thing we need is another inconsequential governor.