Louisiana Election Turnout Thread- Here come the results

C-SPAN ^ | Dec. 6, 2002 | Brian Lamme

[ewing]

Tell us how crowded/not crowded it was when you went to vote!

Did you see voter fraud and what is the talk about exit polling and the possible outcome?

[Sparta]

Anywhere in Kalifornistan that resembles a conservative area?

[southerngrit]

Louisiana is my home. You are absolutely right, it IS the most democratic state in the union. The fact that Ms. Terrell gave the democratic incumbent such a run for her money is an encouraging sign. Pro-labor, pro-union, liberalism is fast going by the wayside here in the Bayou State.

I am disappointed that we didn't take the seat tonight. The fact that the election was as close as it was is indicative of how the mindset of the population is trending, however.

Frankly, I believe that Suzie being a native of New Orleans hurt her chances statewide. New Orleanian politicians have a somewhat tainted image to voters in other areas of the state. Adding this to the fact that she is not a charismatic person resulted in the voter base failing to embrace her candidacy.

I really thought we were going to win this one.

[Torie]

I don't know. I suspect most are politicians. I am not sure how many high paying federal jobs there are in Louisiana. The Center for Disease Control is in Atlanta, the CIA is in Maryland, but I think there may be a federal reserve branch in New Orleans. That's the ticket. Driving up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Baton Rouge is still an amazing experience. One thing one notices is how hideously poor Louisiana must have been before WW II. The older parts of the small towns have almost no structures of commerce at all. The more newly constructed white areas have some neon light fast food chain and Walmart action, but that is about it. I didn't notice any Barnes and Noble book stores, or Starbucks coffee houses.

[jla]

Well Teddy, I don't know exactly how you meant that, but I imagine quite a few folks said the same thing, or abouts, to Ronald Reagan.

They sure showed him, didn't they.
And a few of those they's were Republicans, disenchanted & a little unhappy that RR challenged Ford at the GOP convention in '76.

The GOP, needs candidates like Suzie Terrell.

[Sparta]

I have a strategy thread posted for next year, come check it out.

[Kuksool]

Your list sums up the reasons for tonight's disgraceful GOP losses. But, I would like to add one more factor to your list. It would be the weather. Today in LA, the weather was sunny but chilly. This does not depress 'RAT turnout as much as rain. On Nov. 5th, the Deep South was covered with rain showers. In fact, New Orleans had thunderstorms on that day. This may have depressed African-American turnout to enable Southern Pubbies like Perdue, Chambliss, Sanford, Graham, & Dole to win their races.

However, Landrieu's victory isn't just about African-American turnout. Proud Mary did surprising well in the rural parishes that Bush won in 2000 (i.e. Cajun parishes & LA-05). Terrell needed to win those parishes by the same margins as Bush did in 2000. Unfortunately, she fell short.

[Torie]

Oh lots. You would love the Sierra foothills. My suburb in Orange County voted about 60% for Bush. California still has something for everybody. My brother who lives in rural Inyo County is a Democrat (I know it is hard to believe, but he is even more liberal than I am), and when he registered at the county courthouse (the county seat has about 800 residents), he said well, I think I might be the first Democrat to register in this county. The registrar said no, that is not true, I am a Democrat too!

[rwfromkansas]

That didn't have a thing to do with the loss. I doubt any voters even knew that happened.

[nicmarlo]

I really thought we were going to win this one.

I thought you would have too......but lessons can be learned.....and we need all the Republicans to get involved, go vote, ward off fraud, get excited for 2004.....I think, by the looks of it, this will hopefully energize some pubbies.....Suzie did good, she could've done better, maybe, but she really did well.....a relatively unknown trying to beat an incumbent in a Rat state? Look at those numbers...so very close.

[rwfromkansas]

We were so close....but so far away. We have got to try harder next time. Things are perhaps looking brighter for the future.....though you may be right that La. will never change. But, I am not willing to write it off.

In any case, we have a 2-seat majority in the Senate still and I am dang pleased with this year. It is too bad we won't have another pro-life woman in the Senate, though.

[Canadian Outrage]

No but Trent Lott has already said that Landrieu will likely lose her Committee seat on the Power Ways and Means Committe, I think it is. I sincerely hope she is removed. The Republicans CANNOT get off of Lott's case. I'm positive that Lott has had a lot of negative emails as to his behaviour as Senate Majority Leader before. The voters are watching now. As to McCain, I doubt Mcain will EVER switch. He has announced PUBLICALLY that he would NEVER switch parties. What he will continue to do however is be a thorn in the Republicans side from time to time. They won't be able to count on him on some issues that's for sure.

[Canadian Outrage]

make that powerful Ways and Means Committee.

[cmsgop]

BEER #8 !!!!!

I am having Chips and Salsa though,.......Does that count against me ?

[jdontom]

Well I've read through this hole friggen thread and the only thing I've got to say is the record might be broken for most posts.................

[Happygal]

And a few of those they's were Republicans, disenchanted & a little unhappy that RR challenged Ford at the GOP convention in '76.

I true Republican would defend Reagan's honour. Particularly..him being a sick man. It was left to an English man to do it today. I was disappointed in you J.

[ambrose]

Point to remember... the much more conservative Woody Jenkins did far better against Landrieu than Terrell... and this was in 1996 when Clinton won Louisiana (at least I think he did), and there was a huge pro-Bubba black turnout.

[drstevej]

***2,016 posts. Is this a record for FreeRepublic? ***

Hardly. Check the link...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/656646/posts?page=28625#28625

[Torie]

Er, I think it was an open seat then.

[ambrose]

Open seat, yes... But Jenkins was a real candidate. Terrell was running to the be the White House sock puppet. And once that unemployment news came out, the prospect of the White House having a puppet senator didn't seem so hot.

[laconic]

Terrell actually lost by over 40,000 votes so it wasn't a very close race (52-48). The real shocker was the House race, where Republicans collectively won 68 percent of the vote in November and the Dem winner tonite only got 29 percent back then. Somethin' went wrong bigtime when a district THIS Republican goes democratic.