Update on LA Congressional Race --- The Seat Vacated by Cooksey-

The Alexandria, LA, Daily Town Talk | 09-13-02 | Manuel, Suzan

[Theodore R.]

Republican 5th District candidates debate issues before women's group Suzan Manuel / Staff Reporter Posted on September 13, 2002

Three of the four Republican candidates for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. John Cooksey spoke to voters and answered questions Thursday morning in Alexandria.

Robert Barham, R-Oak Ridge; Clyde Holloway, R-Forest Hill; and Lee Fletcher, R-Monroe, attended a breakfast sponsored by the Rapides Parish Republican Women.

Barham, a state senator, said he was "a kid that grew up in a small country town."

He is a Vietnam veteran and chairman of the Senate's Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee.

Louisiana is at a crossroads, Barham said, where it can "either continue to slide to be a backwater state or do something and change."

He also spoke in favor of oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve in Alaska.

Although environmental groups oppose the drilling, Barham said he believes it can be done wisely.

"The damage is so small in that wilderness," he said.

He also said the United States needs to develop techniques for deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as developing alternative fuel sources.

America is too dependent on foreign oil, he said, noting that the nation relies on foreign oil for more than 50 percent of its fuel.

Former Congressman Holloway said he is seeking election because, "I have it in my heart to run this race and to serve."

Holloway said that as a member of Congress he would speak up for families.

He noted that four out of five children born in East Carroll Parish are born to single women. That should shock everyone, said Holloway.

"We need to look at what is right for us and what is right for this country," he said. "No one wants to talk about abortion or homosexuality and things that are evil in this country."

Holloway also said he would support President George W. Bush if Bush decided to invade Iraq.

"Nine months ago, we would not have debated this," he said. Saddam Hussein "is evil. He would destroy us in one stroke if he could."

He said he agreed with the French proposal to give Saddam a three-week deadline to agree to weapons inspections. If he refuses, "go get him," said Holloway.

Fletcher is a former aide to Cooksey.

Fletcher said growing up with his family in Oak Grove shaped his personality.

"They had the same kind of hope for me I have for this district - a better life," he said.

Fletcher said his time in Washington during the administration of former President George Bush served to "tone my principles and ideals and conservative ideals," he said.

He said he supports the prescription drug plan for senior citizens recently approved by Congress.

"It's a choice plan," he said. "They can choose the plan best for them, including keeping their private insur-ance, which is important to me."

All participation in the plan is voluntary, he said. Fletcher cited studies that show 38 percent of Medicare beneficiaries live without a drug plan.

"We need prescription benefits now," he said. "Our seniors and our veterans cannot afford the cost" of most prescription drugs.

The candidates in the 5th Congressional District race are state Rep. Rodney Alexander, D-Quitman; Barham; Fletcher; Vinson Mouser, other, Bunkie; Holloway; Jack Wright, R-West Monroe; Sam Houston Melton Jr., D-Winnfield; and Roger Beall, D-Monroe.