We have 2 candidates running againts Landrieu in LA?
We have Taylor back in the race in MO and no Raciot?
We haven't been able to extend the olive branch to Coleman and ask him to drop out?
We haven't been able to get flip-flop Bob Smith to support Sununu (proper spelling?)?
Were is the GOP adds in NJ demanding a Debate?
If we need to take the Senate Ternt Lott needs to go. Where is the quest for victory here? Was it Vice Lombardi after a bad defeat told his players: "Gentlemen we are going to start at the beginning, this is a football". We need someone like this in the GOP to kick a** and not be afraid of victory, Not these spagetti limp noodle woosies.
Perhaps Ann Coutler as the next Senatitorial Strategist for 2004, lately she is the only one outside of GW, Rummy, Cheney and Condi that has a pair.
This is an attempt to prevent Landrieu from getting 50%, which forces a run-off.
We have three candidates running against Landrieu in Louisiana, and we are doing it on purpose as our best chance of beating her. To understand this strategy, you have to understand the system and situation in Louisiana.
We don't have primaries in Louisiana. Everyone who wants to run is on the same ballot in November. If one candidate receives 50% + 1 vote, that candidate wins, and the election is finished. If none of the candidates has that majority, then the top two finishers have a runoff.
The early choice for the GOP was Dr. John Cooksey of Monroe. He was elected to Congress in '96 and had promised to serve only 3 terms in the House. He is keeping that promise and will quit the House this year. He was in the Air Force for a while and has had a long career as an opthamologist. He has also had some other medical practice and has delivered some babies. In his spare time, he has served the party as a volunteer and fundraiser. He has spent many of his vacations going to Africa as a medical missionary. He is a good guy. Unfortunately, after the 9/11 attacks, he was arguing for profiling and said that someone who shows up with a diaper held on his head with a fan belt should expect some extra attention. It was a rough remark, but it's no worse than what many public figures on the left have said. Unfortunately, the party ran away from him for his "insensitivity." He has the endorsement of our popular governor, but his campaign didn't seem to have a great deal of momentum.
The party was afraid that Dr. Cooksey would lose to Liberal Senator Landrieu in November, so it encouraged other candidates to join the race in an effort to expand the vote and keep Landrieu under 50%. The idea is to force a runoff and hope that we can out-mobilize her in December when there is nothing else on the ballot.
Dr. Cooksey will be strong in northeast Louisiana and among people who will pay attention to the governor's endorsement. I think Governor Foster received about 70% of the vote in his re-election bid, so his endorsement could move some votes. Tony Perkins is a strong conservative who will be most effective and mobilizing the religious conservatives. He has been a state senator and has often battled Governor Foster in order to try to reduce spending at the state level. Budget hawks and those who value independence from the party will like him. Suzanne Haik Terrell is the current election commissioner and has done a good job in that office. She was also on the New Orleans city council. She is the only Roman Catholic among the Republicans, and that still has meaning in this state. She can also match Landrieu among those who vote for a woman against any man. She also has support in New Orleans which is the only part of the state where Democrats really have an advantage. Without New Orleans, Landrieu wouldn't have a chance. Taking some of her base there will help all of the Republicans.
I think all of the Republicans are good candidates, and I will be proud to support the one who makes the runoff. The important thing will be keeping all of the Republican supporters together and unified behind whoever makes it to the runoff. I wish we had a primary, but we'll make this system work.
WFTR
Bill