Posted on 08/29/2009 5:09:36 PM PDT by Scanian
The palpable hunger for new leadership in the GOP makes most interesting the 2010 Senate run in Louisiana reportedly being mulled by Hurricane Katrina hero General Russell L. Honoré, for the seat currently held by David Vitter, seriously damaged by his name turning up in the client list of a prostitution ring in Washington DC, in 2007.
One primary opponent announced yesterday, US Rep. Charlie Melancon. Shortly afterward, this intriguing post appeared in Bayoubuzz.com:
The Louisiana Weekly and Bayoubuzz.com have learned that the hero of Hurricane recovery, General Russell Honore is seriously considering entering the Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate seat against incumbent David Vitter. Honore, a Republican since the Reagan Administration and a registered Louisiana voter from his Zachary home, has spoken to friends and supporters in the last two weeks signaling that he is, according to one, "more than 50% sure that he will run."
The item continues:
...one very senior Louisiana Republican predicted that if Honore runs, "He wins." As that GOP party elder further explained to the http://www.louisianaweekly.com/ and Bayoubuzz on the promise of confidentiality, "All he has to say is 'Stuck on Stupid', and Vitter is toast."
AT correspondent Elizabeth Weber Levy writes from Louisiana:
Some LA Republicans find the possibility of Honoré's candidacy worrisome -- he's an unknown, save for his stellar military credentials and his skill during Katrina. Others, however, are throwing confetti.
There are many obstacles to overcome if Gen. Honoré is to end up in the United States Senate two years before the next presidential election. Still, it could happen.
Let's see: an impressive new African-American figure appears in the United States Senate and takes advantage of a rising mood of public discontent to ride a wave of support to a presidential nomination and victory. Not exactly unprecedented, though at this point a long shot. But for those of us watching the bench, this is interesting news. Obama has got to be worried about losing the race card to a black opponent, one whose long track record of leadership contrasts so sharply with his own meager experience. Gen. Honoré is both a fresh face and yet an experienced hand thanks to his military service.
“One primary opponent announced yesterday, US Rep. Charlie Melancon.”
The author didn’t do his research. Melancon is a Democrat. He’s challenging Vitter in the general election.
Perhaps the author is stuck on stupid.
“The Louisiana Weekly and Bayoubuzz.com have learned that the hero of Hurricane recovery, General Russell Honore is seriously considering entering the Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate seat against incumbent David Vitter.”
If Honore runs, Vitter and Melancon may both drop out.
Louisiana doesn’t do primaries. They have a general election and if nobody gets 50 percent of the vote, the top two have a run-off.
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New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was quoted on a radio interview September 1, 2005, saying: "Now, I will tell you this -- and I give the president some credit on this -- he sent one John Wayne dude down here that can get some stuff done, and his name is [Lt.] Gen. [Russel] Honoré. And he came off the doggone chopper, and he started cussing and people started moving. And he's getting some stuff done."
Russel L. Honoré From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In June 2006 Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco signed Senate Bill No. 18, which became Act No. 560 into law. Starting in 2008, Congressional races have returned to the closed primary system. The nonpartisan blanket primary remains in effect for state and local races
Good catch.
Why do you think this guy could unseat Vitter?
What are his positions? Is he conservative? Is he as conservative as Vitter?
Would it matter if he is as conservative as Vitter? When Vitter does not exactly behave in a manner fitting of a Senator?
I am asking a question I think needs to be pondered.
I don’t know for certain where he stands, but I think he’s a strong conservative. He’s not allowed to make campaign appearances because he’s still in the military.
Vitter is an embarrassment to his supporters.
Yes, it matters. Vitter’s indiscretions are shameful, but what matters more to me than that is the fact that he’s been a very strong advocate for liberty and conservatism in the senate. He has been fighting Obama and his agenda every step of the way.
Senator Vitter, regardless of his pecadillos, is a staunch conservative voice on the floor, and vote in the Senate.
Ponder this: Does Bawney Fwank behave in the manner fitting of a Representative?
I’d vote for keeping Vitter - a sure-fire conservative fighter - over a total unknown.
Let me tell you of LA politic body. There are so many a$$hat, politicians in LA that have a stinkin’, friggin’ (R) by their name. All of them, save one, voted for the crap we have to endure. That one is David Vitter.
I ain’t sidled up to him as his wife, and she has the graciousness to forgive. If she can do it, for a damn fine, lonely, conservative Louisiana voice and vote for me, I damn sure forgive him.
I damn sure ain’t embarrassed by him.
Vitter has made a complete comeback and put that episode behind him. He is a solid conservative who, one of the few openly objecting to Obama. If Honore would have ran and won last year, he would be a no-brainer VP or Sec of Defense pick for 2012.
That's completely in the past and he made up to the person who really mattered - his wife.
It's time to give Republicans a 2nd chance instead of throwing them out the window over personal matters.
That would be AWESOME!
A second chance? This wasn’t a one-night stand. Vitter had been doing this for years while campaigning as a Christian conservative.
In addition, General Honoré could become a great conservative leader, not just another Senator. We need some star power, and people like Honore and Michael Williams (TX) could give us exactly that.
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