Louisiana Republicans doubt candidate is pro-lifer (Republican Senatorial Committee love Liberal )

THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | September 17, 2002 | By Ralph Z. Hallow

[USA21]

The national Republican Party's drive to capture the Louisiana Senate seat now held by Democrat Mary L. Landrieu has hit another snag as conservatives question the pro-life credentials of the GOP-backed candidate.

Louisiana Republicans claim candidate Susanne Haik Terrell, who has received financial backing from the National Republican Senatorial Committee over other Republican candidates, supported a pro-choice event in 1994 and switched her stance on abortion out of political expediency.

[RicocheT]

If LA Rep.s want to beat Democrat Mary L. Landrieu, they should get behind the Rep. candidate most likely to win in November and not nit pick about some dated literature that may or may not have been not pro life. Otherwise the Democrat tactic of divide and conquer will hold the seat for the Democrats.

[dwilli]

I cannot understand why some people calling themselves
Republicans want to spread manure. I am as conservative
as I can possibly be but I do not spend my life worrying
about the degree of a candidate's feelings about
abortion. This is dumb and self-defeating. Abortion is
legal under the law. That a fact. Live with it. Get
enough Republicans elected and the law might be modified.
This eating our own over this issue is just dumb.

[kms61]

The Democrats need not use the divide and conquer tactic. The Republicans are doing a fine job of it themselves. Terrell is the only candidate with any kind of shot at unseating Landrieu. Even if Cooksey hadn't put his foot in his mouth with the his post 9/11 comments, he'd have an uphill battle as he's still not well known outside his district. As for Perkins, he's somewhat of a fringe candidate AND has alienated many LSU alumni in the state with some of his votes in the legislature that were (IMO correctly) seen as anti-University.

[KQQL]

Sounds like these LA GOPs are not smart....because they will lose with COOKSEY the moron

[NeoCaveman]

Ahh the Republican circular firing squad strikes again....

No wonder we lose

[USA21]

can you name me some conservative Republicans ?

[Major Matt Mason]

Get enough Republicans elected and the law might be modified.

I don't have a dog in this fight, except that I am a conservative Republican who is interested in seeing other conservatives elected to higher office. I will say that Ms. Terrell sounds like she is perfect for the Senate- she'll say whatever she needs to say to get elected, regardless of how foolish she ends up looking. Clearly she is full of it when she says that she didn't know what kind of event she was being associated with- it's Planned Parenthood, what else could it be!

[conservative_2001]

People just have remember that the key is to hold Landreau to under 50% on Election Day to force the runoff. At this point none of the 3 candidates can do it on their own, so they just need to flood the ballot and hope that combined, the three can get enough votes to hold Landreau under 50%. None of the three right now can beat her 1-on-1.

I see this stategy working so far. Perkins is working to turn out the most conservative voters, Cooksey is getting the support of the Louisiana Republican establishment. Terrell is getting some Washington support in hopes she can appeal to women and moderates. Each of the 3 is generating support among their own niches, which should work to keep Landreau under 50%.

Realize that what would not work is to have 3 very conservative Republicans on the ballot. The three would just be fighting amongst each other for the same votes. These three people can each appeal to their own constituencies. Hopefully after the November elections the 3 factions can unite and maybe dispose of Landreau in a low-turnout December runoff. At this point, this is the only hope of taking this seat.

[NeoCaveman]

These three people can each appeal to their own constituencies. Hopefully after the November elections the 3 factions can unite and maybe dispose of Landreau in a low-turnout December runoff. At this point, this is the only hope of taking this seat.

Now that is Macheavelian, I like it. I just hope their supporters can vote together in the runoff. If we are lucky enough to have one. This could make for an interesting autumn.

[Republican Wildcat]

say she is too liberal to defeat Mrs. Landrieu

Bizarre.

[WOSG]

Right ... sadly, Landrieu will likely pull this off,she has over 50% even in the 4-way polling ... and the NSRC has screwed the pooch by supporting a moderate instead of conservative, it only turns off the base --- IF we get to a runnoff .... they think Cookesy cant win? darn.

[Sonny M]

When it comes to abortion, the most important thing, is to have a senator who will support and vote for, pro-life judges especially supreme court ones. Former Representive Rick Lazio who ran against the witch in New York and lost, was pro-abortion, he was as pro-abortion as you could get, however he made it clear (and in New York this was a mistake) that he would have no problem voting and supporting a justice who would want to over turn Roe vs. Wade. As long as she'll support the judges who can get this bastardization of the constitition off the books and over turned, she's fine with me.

[afuturegovernor]

and the NSRC has screwed the pooch by supporting a moderate instead of conservative, it only turns off the base

Actually, it sounds like the NRSC is trying hard to get a runoff election. Tell me exactly what the NRSC should do? Just let Landrieu coast to re-election?

The only chance the GOP has of picking this seat up is with a run-off election. Otherwise the Democrats keep a seat in another red state. Honestly, what do you think the NRSC should do?

[afuturegovernor]

Let me save some time...I'll name a number of conservative US Senators like Kyl, Santorum, Nickles, Craig, Sessions and company.

Then, you'll proceed to tell everyone, that they are all a bunch of left-wing communist Rinos.

Time saved.

[kms61]

For one thing they could have moved heaven and earth to get Mike Foster in the race. He actually seems a bit more popular on FR than he is here in Louisiana at this point--his act is wearing a bit thin after two terms as governor--but he would have made the Senatorial race a tossup, or even been a slight favorite. I frankly don't think the race will even be close with the three Republican candidates in the running now.

[afuturegovernor]

For one thing they could have moved heaven and earth to get Mike Foster in the race.

I know that President Bush did encourage Foster to run for Senate. He just didn't want to run. Foster would have had a good shot at winning, but he is an old man - in his 70's I think.