Monroe Reader Ridicules GOP Claim of Political Progress in LA

Monroe (LA) News-Star ^ | 12-21-02 | Dorman, Gene, of Monroe, LA

[Theodore R.]

I read with amusement the letter from Royce Ogle as he bravely attempted to soothe the bruised ego of the supporters and soundly defeated Republican candidates in the Louisiana elections Dec. 7. Six years ago Sen. Mary Landrieu edged out Woody Jenkins, a Republican by 6,000 votes and John Cooksey defeated a well-known Democrat, Francis Thompson.

[Theodore R.]

He does have a point. Woody Jenkins ran 34,000 raw votes ahead of Suzanne Terrell, and he did not receive the united party support that she did. When Jenkins tried to prove fraud in Landrieu's initial election, then Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-MS, showed little interest in Jenkins' evidence.

[winin2000]

Beg to differ, but raw vote totals are probably the least relevant figure given that you're comparing Jenkins running during a Presidential year and Terrell running in a mid-term runoff.

[winin2000]

To say nothing of this cretin's reference to a relatively low 6% unemployment as an "all-time high." (It hit just over 7% in the Bush 41 recession and 10% in the Carter recession)

[Cincinatus]

Anyone who can look upon these results and claim the Republican Party is on the rise in Louisiana should get them a new pair of glasses.

In 2000, Bush got 52.6% v. AlGore's 44.9% of the vote. Yep -- the Dems have Louisiana locked up, all right.

[Theodore R.]

LA had local elections on Oct. 5. These elections provided a hint that the Democrats would ultimately sweep the major races as well on Dec. 7, if not Nov. 5. Already, several Democrat candidates are dividing some 60 percent of the vote in the 2003 gubernatorial race. The leading Republican candidate has less than 5 percent in the governor's poll.

[crystalk]

The very fact there IS a Republican party, and competitive elections, in Louisiana...

is proof that the Republican party is on the rise there. IIRC, a majority of the state's congressional delegation is now Republican.

Inevitably, some races will be lost, but in both of these there was both a somewhat divided Republican party [not real united enthusiasm throughout the season for one candidate] and the candidate was somewhat lackluster;

it was possible for the Dems to argue that a colorless party hack had been nominated by R versus a genuine if flawed "mensch" [Dem] who really wanted to serve the people.

[laotzu]

The local Republican candidate, totally unknown prior to running; easily won our local election to county animal control office. Despite protecting the voting rights of many under-represented furry friends, the Democrat candidate lost by a landslide.

Clearly this indicates bad fortune for Democrats in the presidential race to come.