Wrap up of events for 11/14/02 in Louisiana Senate Runoff.(My Title)

The Times-Picayune ^ | 11/15/02

[Sparta]

Thursday was Day 9 of the long-running Gov. Foster senatorial endorsement soap opera. Foster did not endorse Republican Suzanne Haik Terrell on his weekly "Live Mike" radio call-in show, but he didn't rule it out either. After catching some flak from Republican backers of Terrell, the state's elections commissioner, Foster the titular head of the state GOP, said: "I am going to do whatever I can for the president because he needs a Congress he can work with. I am obligated to do what I can to help the president." Foster said one reason he hasn't made an endorsement is that, "I had gotten sort of irritated with the administration over the last few weeks." He said he had felt that "they weren't worried about Louisiana." But since then, he said, "We've had some good conversations." Foster has been critical of the White House for not approving the state's educational accountability program that pre-dated the federal plan and in his view is stronger. Foster said he has sent aides to Washington to meet with Bush advisers about meshing the two plans. "I feel better about it now," he said.

[Sparta]

To RINO Foster: Endorse Terrell now in order to maintain some legitamacy as a Republican.

[donozark]

I thought he did?

[Sparta]

No he hasn't. (He's whined that Terrell was too negative towards Landrieu.)

[cgbg]

It is time for the aministration to play hardball with Foster. He should be told not just to endorse but to appear on the campaign trail actively supporting his fellow Republican or Louisiana will be treated like a French colony when it is time to receive federal funds for his favorite projects.

[donozark]

See Washington Post. He said yesterday he supports President's goal of getting a Republican elected. They do expect a more "formal" endorsement at a later date. If you enter "terrell" in search function you can bring it up.

He needs to come out in support of her. As do Cooksey etal. And she needs to contact GOA and complete their survey so she doesn't have a "NR" (not rated) by her name on gunowners.org

[Catspaw]

What is Foster waiting for? Why isn't he endorsing Terrell?

[RobbyS]

It is time for the aministration to play hardball with Foster. He should be told not just to endorse but to appear on the campaign trail actively supporting his fellow Republican or Louisiana will be treated like a French colony when it is time to receive federal funds for his favorite projects. Do you not think that the President might not already have implied as much during his conversations with the Guv'? If Foster does not come around AND Terrel wins/loses, than Foster might as well head for Cuba. I suspect he is negotiating for the best deal he can get personally.

[Darlin']

Foster, a former democrat, is pouting for a couple of reasons.

He endorsed another candidate in the primary, Congressman Cooksey. Cooksey got 14% of the vote. He and Foster have behaved disgracefully, like petulant children since the election. The NRSC made a decision to back Mrs Terrell without consulting with the Gov. No reason for them to do so, since the Gov. had already announced his support for Cooksey before Terrell entered the race. With national support came money, $500K, and a more effective ad campaign for Mrs Terrell. The gov. didn't like that, thought the NRSC should have spread the money around amongst the 3 Republicans instead of the one they had endorsed... Try to figure that out. He said he didn't like that wasn't consulted. Found fault with Mrs Terrell's radio and TV ads, said they were negative. Apparently, he equates talking about Landrieu's record negative. Foster switched parties in 1996 and seems to still have some loyalty to the democrats. Lastly, he has a pet education project that he feels is better than the administration's plan. So, he is in a snit over it, wants the White House to make some concessions. Personally, I think the gov. ought to be careful what he wishes for, he just might get that one thing and that might be the last bit of cooperation he gets.

[Catspaw]

So what it boils down to is Mike Foster having a snit fit--and could possibly end up helping Mary Landrieu. Sheesh.

[Darlin']

He is having a snit-fit but he will eventually give a half hearted show of support for Suzie Terrell. By the time he does it will be worthless. In his comments yesterday he never once said Mrs Terrell's last name. It was so obvious that the press pointed it out in an article. I find his behavior despicable and I've lost a tremendous amount of respect for him.

[Francohio]

They got this Cajun Quarter Horse Sport down in the bayous, where they race two quarter horses in separate fenced lanes. No riders. Just surcingles, with two beer cans with rattling pebbles inside attached to the surcingle.

Given what I have seen of of Louisiana politics, I feel this is the method they should use to settle political races, especially primaries. Strip'em naked, strap rattles on'em, and whip'em. Then everybody back the winning animal. Laissez les bons temps rouler, mes hypocrites frères français! En regard a cette canaille Foster, je vous propose la même solution comme cela proposée par Hillary a l'autre Foster.

[Darlin']

FOFLOL. Hey, that might become a real popular way of determining a winner down here.

This coming Monday, Vice President Cheney will campaign with Mrs Terrell in Monroe and Lafayette. Foster has said he will probably, 'stand with the Vice President' !?!?!?! If M Foster is still 'boude, makin' de bahbin'* on Monday, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he gets a lesson in, how to eat the cabbage, from the Vice President. LOL

* cajun for sulking and pouting. My apologies to my cajun neighbors if I got that wrong.

[Sparta]

Because he Terrell was "too mean" to Landrieu during the general election. (And the fact that he's a RINO also has to be taken into consideration)

[Catspaw]

If you could see me, I'm rolling my eyes about Foster.

But my gut says it's more than just Foster being a RINO. He wants something. I wonder what it is?

[Sparta]

Another thread has posted that Mikey is trying to get excluded from the new National Education Standards. He may be holding the party for ransom.

[Catspaw]

I wondered if it was money, power or something else...and that's in the "something else" category. If this doesn't work out for Foster and Terrell isn't elected, I'd venture to say that Mike Foster couldn't get elected dog catcher after this stunt.

[Sparta]

Fortunately we term limited the RINO bastard. He's gone next year, he did nothing to build the state party so we can have viable contender next year. (However Tony Perkins, who finished fourth in the Senate race, now has to considered a serious contender for the Repubs.)

[BerniesFriend]

I have posted this on threads before and I will say it again on this board...Foster is NOT a Republican, let alone a conservative. He only changed parties on qualifying day for Governor in 1995. Would NOT endorse Dole in 96, but couldn't endorse Dem Senator Breaux in 98, who did not even need the help. Also he thought that Clinton was being treated unfairly in the impeachment saga...

[Catspaw]

In addition to my eyes rolling, I think they're venturing into crossing....Foster is an idiot. He sounds hellbent on getting Mary Landrieu reelected, not directly, but certainly indirectly, by his inaction. What a peabrain.

[NarniaSC]

Has Breaux endorsed Landrieu yet? He's about as conservative as a Dem can get. How does the Louisiana GOP and the voters in general view him?