Posted on 12/02/2004 7:09:36 PM PST by Theodore R.
Governor stumps for Melancon
By WILL SENTELL wsentell@theadvocate.com Capitol news bureau
NEW IBERIA -- Gov. Kathleen Blanco campaigned Wednesday for fellow Democrat Charlie Melancon in a 3rd District race widely labeled as one of the nastiest political contests in years.
Blanco, who attended grade school a short hop across Bayou Teche from where she spoke, praised Melancon as an experienced leader who will stick up for south Louisiana even if that means tangling with Republican President Bush.
During a noon rally, Blanco also jabbed Republican Billy Tauzin III, Melancon's GOP opponent, who hopes to succeed his father in Congress.
The governor said that, while the younger Tauzin traveled to Washington to have his picture taken with Bush, she questioned whether he could generate federal dollars to help slow Louisiana's coastal erosion.
"All he got is a TV spot and a handshake," Blanco said. "Where's the money?"
Voters will decide the contest Saturday. The district includes coastal parishes that extend from St. Martin and Iberia at the western end to St. Bernard in the east.
Melancon, 57, has repeatedly dubbed Tauzin "Little Billy" in a jab at his youth and inexperience. On Wednesday, Melancon renewed criticism that the Republican owes his candidacy to his father's name. The elder Tauzin has held the 3rd District seat for more than two decades.
"This is not the place where you send the proverbial boy to do a man's job," Melancon said.
He also rebutted criticism from the Tauzin campaign that he is aligned with left-leaning national Democrats.
He called himself a pro-life contender who won an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association as well as a father and husband who believes in the sanctity of marriage.
"I don't know how someone who is 30 years old can say he is the one with family values," Melancon said of Tauzin, who celebrated his 31st birthday Wednesday. "My opponent has no record to stand on, no accomplishments."
While Melancon's backers are confident, several at the rally said the race is unusually harsh, even by Louisiana's rough-and-tumble standards.
"I think this is one of the dirtiest campaigns I have ever seen," said Alvin Stutts of New Iberia, who contends the Republicans started the mudslinging.
Others sounded put off by the whole thing.
"I usually vote Republican, but I just don't think Tauzin is qualified," said Verna Patout of New Iberia, an aunt of Gov. Blanco. "I am voting against Tauzin instead of voting for Melancon."
Her friend Roy Crews agreed.
"I don't like all the underhanded back-talking," Crews said. He said he backs Melancon because Tauzin does not have enough experience.
State Rep. Romo Romero, D-New Iberia, backs Melancon and spoke on his behalf Wednesday. But he also said he is tired of the Melancon-Tauzin exchanges.
"I'm offended by both's ads," he said.
Blanco, after her short speech, said harsh campaigns aggravate the highly partisan atmosphere in Washington.
"It is tainting the electoral process, and I think it is very unfortunate," the governor said.
But Blanco said Democrats have used more national funds than Republican to promote their candidates rather than criticize the opposition. Candidates also know that negative campaigns can work, she said.
"If the candidate does not answer and try to create a level playing field, they are definitely going to lose," Blanco said. "That is a great tragedy -- that they are forced into that corner."
State Rep. Karen St. Germain, D-Plaquemine, served as Melancon's legislative assistant from 1989 to 1993. She holds the House post Melancon once filled.
St. Germain said her former boss is smart and down to earth and that voters turned off by charges and countercharges need to study the contenders.
"Go past the ugly. Go past the comments," she said.
In a new campaign front, Melancon urged Tauzin to challenge Bush's pick for secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The president's choice is Carlos Gutierrez, chief executive officer of cereal giant Kellogg Co.
Melancon said Gutierrez worked to open U.S. markets to cheap Australian sugar. The Democrat said that threatens the sugar industry in the 3rd District.
"I will not stand by and let that go," Melancon told a few dozen supporters at the rally.
Blanco, who also campaigned for Melancon on Wednesday in St. Martinville, echoed the same theme.
"I've got to say I am very worried about the new commerce secretary," she said.
The governor, who served with Melancon in the Legislature, noted his service in the statehouse, his time as president of the American Sugar Cane League and his experience as a small-business man.
"He has the perfect credentials," Blanco said.
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