Posted on 11/29/2007 3:27:03 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
Landrieu is in her second term in the Senate, and won reelection in 2002 with 52 percent of the vote compared to Republican Suzanne Haik Terrell’s 48 percent. Landrieu comes from a well-known political family in Louisiana — her father was the New Orleans mayor — but is considered vulnerable partly because President Bush twice carried Louisiana. In 2004, he won with 57 percent of the vote.
In addition, the state’s population has changed since Hurricane Katrina, with many black voters in New Orleans, who tended to vote for Democrats, moving out of state.
Landrieu is well-positioned financially for a tough campaign. According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), she has more than $3.3 million in cash on hand. Kennedy, by contrast, has $37,500 in debt, according to the FEC, and asked supporters for financial help in his open letter.
“Your financial contribution today will help us lay the groundwork for next year’s campaign, which most national observers say will be one of the highest profile and competitive U.S. Senate races in the nation,” the letter said.
Kennedy’s move to the Democratic Party earlier this year was seen as a sign that he intended to take on Landrieu. In his letter to supporters, Kennedy pointed to a poll conducted by Zogby International that he said showed him leading Landrieu 45 percent to 38. The poll has a 3.2 percent margin of error.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
While Zogby’s methods are unconventional, the fact that Kennedy is already ahead is a great sign.
Many on this board from outside Louisiana will read about Kennedy’s recent party switch to the GOP and assume he’s a pretender or opportunist. I’ve heard any number of interviews with the man, and followed his efforts to exert influence on fiscal sanity and honesty as Treasurer, and will give my personal opinion that he’s a lot more conservative than many pols who have been wearing the GOP name tag for decades.
Is this an error? Otherwise, I don't see how this is good news, really. Landrieu might lose, but it would be two Democrats running - either way Democrats hold the seat - remember how Louisiana's elections work.
Yeah, I posted a MUCH less detailed-filled article about this.
I’m damned proud of the state of LA these days. I realize this guy just switched, but his last name is Kennedy (non-related AFAIK) and he’s offically a Republican now.
Also, that cool LA governor-elect....
Here’s a link to his website. I just got an email from the National Republican Senatorial Committee about his candidacy.
Landreau is the best chance the GOP has for picking up a seat on 08. Count on Kennedy getting all the funding he needs from the national party.
My head is spinning. Did he move from the Republican Party to the Democrat Party like the above says or did he move from the Democrat Party to the Republican like this article says?
Kennedy was a longtime Democrat who recently switched to the Republican party amid widespread speculation he would challenge Landrieu, a Democrat. Kennedy Challenge
My head is spinning. Did he move from the Republican Party to the Democrat Party like the above says or did he move from the Democrat Party to the Republican like this article says?
Kennedy was a longtime Democrat who recently switched to the Republican party amid widespread speculation he would challenge Landrieu, a Democrat. Kennedy Challenge
It didn't hurt Phil Gramm back in 1983.
Or Reagan back in 1962...
Kennedy will win by 50k votes. There’s nothing Landrieu can do to stop it.
It’s a typo. Their editing department missed it.
45-38, wow. Good lead for this early. He needs some dough.
I can live with that!!
When I was a registered voter in the State of Louisiana, I was a Democrat. You had to be if you wanted your vote to count. Voting or running as a Republican was the equivilent of playing on the Washington Generals against the Harlem Globetrotters.
The times have changed, and Conservatives can now run as Republicans and win. Kennedy will beat Landrieu and that will be a good thing.
We should pick up SD too. However, multiple seats are at risk e.g. VA, NH, CO, MN.
John Kennedy is the right man for the right time. He can defeat Senator Landrieu. All he needs is the money so if you can spare $10, $15, $20 or whatever, please go to his website and make a contribution. It will prove to be a wise investment.
Remember that Louisiana elected Republican Senator David Vitter and most recently Republican Gov. elect Bobby Jindal on the first ballot. Hurricane Katrina changed the political landscape in LA. The massive Democratic black vote is no longer in New Orleans to be hauled to the polls in school buses and told whom to vote for. This is how Landrieu beat Woody Jenkins for her first term, and how she beat Terral for her second term.
The fact that Kennedy is already leading seems to prove your point.
Just a minor correction on Odom. He was not technically defeated (indeed, he won a plurality in the first round), he withdrew from the runoff against Mike Strain. He also served 28 years in his position, not 40.
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