Posted on 11/11/2004 9:18:44 PM PST by Theodore R.
Romero won't endorse Tauzin or Melancon
By The Associated Press NEW IBERIA -- Republican Craig Romero, who finished a strong third in the primary election for Congress to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin Jr., said he will not endorse either candidate in the Dec. 4 runoff. Romero, a conservative state senator from New Iberia, finished behind fellow Republican Billy Tauzin III and Democrat Charlie Melancon in the Nov. 2 primary. Tauzin of Houma had 32 percent of the vote and Melancon of Napoleonville had 24 percent, edging out Romero's 23 percent.
Romero said he was still angry at the Tauzin campaign for a negative television ad that called him a liberal who voted to repeal Louisiana's ban on sodomy. Romero was even angrier over fliers distributed in the 3rd District that said Romero wanted to take prayer out of the classroom and legalize sodomy.
"When you have Republicans starting to attack another Republican, it just doesn't make any sense," Romero said. "I'm not getting involved in this runoff."
The Tauzin campaign defended the TV ad, saying its claims were based on Romero's voting record in the Senate. Staffers denied any connection to the fliers.
Romero said he also rebuffed the Melancon campaign when it sought his support. The Melancon campaign said it was seeking support from voters who chose Romero.
Romero finished especially strong in Iberia, Lafourche, St. Bernard and St. Martin parishes.
Tauzin, 31, is a lobbyist for BellSouth and the son of the incumbent. Melancon, 57, is a former state legislator and head of the American Sugar Cane League.
The 3rd District also includes all or part of nine other parishes: Ascension, Assumption, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary and Terrebonne.
LOL 'strong third'. That sounds intimidating. This guy reminds me of the Tom McClintock soreloserman approach to winning elections.
No, Romero was just one point behind the runner-up to garnering a general electon berth for himself.
Dec. 4 is of course a Saturday, and this seat could be lost because LA Democrats are desperate to overcome their embarrassment of David Vitter's outright win on Nov. 2. The Democrats will work this to the fullest extent possible. I would imagine that even James Carville is offering advice, as he grew up in or near thid district.
Primaries are tough - they are tough on the candidates and tough on the supporters... but when you run for office you are in the big leagues... Nasty things are going to be said about all sides, I wish GOP primary runners up would quit being so sensitive. Politics is a contact sport - but the enemy is the dems...
Craig Romero = Rino jerk.
Melancon = Hung himself (in several ways) in first primary.
Billy Tauzin Jr. = Super high name recognition, basically
no negatives and Bush coattails.
Tauzin = Winner
This cheap loser should be completely shut out of any future career in Republican politics. The Dems are the enemy, and helping them in any way is a political capital crime. Don't forget, and don't forgive.
Are the sugar growers strongly for Melancon? They were always boosters of J. Bennett Johnston, Jr., D-LA.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.