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Kerry losing his grip on the traditional Democrat heartland of Louisiana
abc.net.au ^ | 10/23/04

Posted on 10/23/2004 7:39:52 PM PDT by knak

Reporter: Lisa Millar

HAMISH ROBERTSON: Now to the United States, where, with the opinion polls putting the presidential candidates John Kerry and George W. Bush at a dead heat, Democrats are discovering they can't count on some states that were once considered their party's heartland. In America's south, even some registered Democrats look set to throw their support behind Mr Bush.

Our North America correspondent Lisa Millar compiled this report in Louisiana.

LISA MILLAR: When the temperature drops, and the leaves start falling, it means just one thing to Louisiana locals – squirrel hunting season.

RICHARD TAYLOR: I try and hunt two or three days a week during season, especially when the leaves get off the trees. I try to get all the time I can.

LISA MILLAR: It's quite a Louisiana tradition, isn't it?

RICHARD TAYLOR: Oh yeah, I've been squirrel hunting ever since I was old enough to trod through the woods. My grandpa took me when I was just a little boy.

LISA MILLAR: The sweet meat ends up in stews or sauces, squirrel brains are considered a bit of a delicacy for those game to try. Schools close and football games are cancelled when the season opens, such is the passion these locals have for this pastime.

But with the election just over a week away politics is also a hot topic. I went squirrel hunting with a few locals, all registered Democrats, who say they'll be voting for George W. Bush.

JIM WISE: His morals and everything… you know, there may be some problems with the economy and things like that, but George Bush is who I'm for.

LISA MILLAR: Jim Wise voted for a Democrat in local elections just a few months ago, but when it comes to the Presidential race, he can't stomach John Kerry.

JIM WISE: Not at this time, I've just seen a lot of things, he's flip-flopped back and forth, you know, and right now with the war going on and the economy and different things… it's going to be trouble for George Bush right now because it's easy to run against a fellow when you ain't got a record and George Bush has a record and this other guy don't have a record, as far as being a President.

And it's good to sit on the sidelines, and vote from the sidelines, it's easy, but I think he's made some tough decisions and I like what he stands for.

LISA MILLAR: Lesley Taylor knows how he'll be voting.

LESLEY TAYLOR: I think Mr Bush… he looks at the people, he don't look at himself, unlike John Kerry. I get the idea that John Kerry is independent, he thinks of himself and not to others.

LISA MILLAR: Likewise his father Richard.

RICHARD TAYLOR: The Democrat's not a Democrat, the old style Democrat. You know, the old style Democrats wasn't a liberalist, like John Kerry, you know, and Ted Kennedy and all them. They didn't believe in all those giveaway programs. That's all they do – giveaway, giveaway and you can only giveaway so long and somebody gotta pay for it.

LISA MILLAR: Louisiana used to be one of the Democrat Party's strongest southern states but the political map in America is changing. States that the party could once depend on are swinging the other way.

But the Republicans are also finding they can no longer rely on states they once called their own. With the polls putting the candidates dead even, it's another indication of just how volatile this race has been and why no one is confident of predicting a winner.

This is Lisa Millar in Leesville Louisiana for Saturday AM.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: bushdemocrats; kerry; southerndemocrats; southernvote
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This is a transcript from AM. The program is broadcast around Australia at 08:00 on ABC Local Radio.
1 posted on 10/23/2004 7:39:54 PM PDT by knak
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To: knak
"Eu sou rico vou a foda você mesmo!!!"
2 posted on 10/23/2004 7:42:39 PM PDT by MisterRepublican
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To: knak

Jim Wise voted for a Democrat in local elections just a few months ago, but when it comes to the Presidential race, he can't stomach John Kerry.
Jim Wise is wise.
travel to this state a lot. plenty of W stickers all over.

I smell kerry stew.


3 posted on 10/23/2004 7:45:40 PM PDT by rineaux (hardcore for W04)
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To: knak

Two points. Taylor and Wise aren't south Louisiana (core Democrat territory) names. Leesville is an army town.


4 posted on 10/23/2004 7:52:44 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: rineaux
You go Jim! Damn, what a small world... I went to school with this guy...

:-)
5 posted on 10/23/2004 7:53:17 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: FireTrack

funny, but im calling bullsheet on you.


6 posted on 10/23/2004 7:55:28 PM PDT by rineaux (hardcore for W04)
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To: FireTrack
Schools close and football games are cancelled when the season opens, such is the passion these locals have for this pastime.

I don't think so..... Football games & school cancelled for squirrels??? LOL!

7 posted on 10/23/2004 8:00:03 PM PDT by nana4bush
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To: rineaux
"funny, but im calling bullsheet on you."

LOL, Call it anything you want, I could care less... I was surprised when I saw the name and kept reading and then saw Leesville. There is only one Jim Wise in Vernon Parish. A bull and one really great guy.

He once saved my butt.

First day for absentee voting was last Thursday and they had a record turn out.

8 posted on 10/23/2004 8:08:40 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: knak
you can only giveaway so long and somebody gotta pay for

Sounds like a tag line to me!

it.

9 posted on 10/23/2004 8:11:20 PM PDT by Graybeard58 (you can only giveaway so long and somebody gotta pay for it.)
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To: nana4bush
"I don't think so..... Football games & school cancelled for squirrels??? LOL!"

Honest to God, it's a fact... It's a tradition that goes way back. Back to when squirrels and piney woods rooters where about the only fresh meat the folks around here had.

10 posted on 10/23/2004 8:13:25 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: FireTrack

I believe you now. I still am registered in LA. Sent mine in alreay. Was in Lafayette last week and just saw so many W stickers. It was great to see it. Not so many in N.O. but that should be expected.


11 posted on 10/23/2004 8:14:55 PM PDT by rineaux (hardcore for W04)
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To: nana4bush
I don't think so..... Football games & school cancelled for squirrels

I believe it. Some schools shut down for a week when deer season opens too.

When I was in school (Many many moons ago) School would close for a couple of weeks during cotton harvest time.

12 posted on 10/23/2004 8:17:33 PM PDT by Graybeard58 (you can only giveaway so long and somebody gotta pay for it.)
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To: FireTrack

Maybe Kerry should grab his shotgun, call his manservant and travel to LA to shoot squirrel.


13 posted on 10/23/2004 8:17:42 PM PDT by Ciexyz (Feeling so much calmer now I've cancelled my cable TV. Don't miss the Demopuke spin on cable news.)
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To: rineaux

Thanks, Good hear of strong support Lafayette!


14 posted on 10/23/2004 8:18:30 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: Ciexyz
Maybe Kerry should grab his shotgun, call his manservant and travel to LA to shoot squirrel.

Yep. All he would have to do is sit in the woods and make noises like a nut...He'd be good at it.

15 posted on 10/23/2004 8:19:29 PM PDT by Graybeard58 (you can only giveaway so long and somebody gotta pay for it.)
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To: knak

I like to think Kerry is losing his grip on lots of things.


16 posted on 10/23/2004 8:20:00 PM PDT by infidel29 (Before the political left, we were ALL right.)
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To: Graybeard58

Hey, I picked a little cotton myself. 3 cents a pound for my grandfather who raised about 35 acres. My best day was 100 pounds.

Back then, everyone went to the fair on Friday and camped out that night in the woods to go squirrel hunting on opening day which was always on a Saturday.


17 posted on 10/23/2004 8:25:07 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: Ciexyz

Did you notice how the reporter had to get one jab in "But the Republicans are also finding they can no longer rely on states they once called their own."


18 posted on 10/23/2004 8:25:18 PM PDT by LittleJohnnyEdwards (John Kerry the man who would give are security to France)
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To: nana4bush
"Schools close and football games are cancelled when the season opens, such is the passion these locals have for this pastime."

Looks like some acoonasses were having fun with the yankee. BTW, just when is squirrel season and what's the bag limit?

19 posted on 10/23/2004 8:25:33 PM PDT by bayourod (Old Media news is poll driven, not event driven, not fact driven, not newsworthy driven.)
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To: Ciexyz
"Maybe Kerry should grab his shotgun, call his manservant and travel to LA to shoot squirrel."

I'd like to see him crawling around on his belly while dodging the copper heads and cotton mouths.

Hehehe... I'm sure if he went hunting with some of these old boys around here, they would for sure suggest crawling on your belly was the best way to sneak up on an unsuspecting squirrel.

20 posted on 10/23/2004 8:30:44 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: knak
This is Lisa Millar in Leesville Louisiana

Any of you Army boys ever been to Leesville? That's one of the nastiest damn place I have ever been.

21 posted on 10/23/2004 8:31:22 PM PDT by chesty_puller (I was in a war but never got to shoot a frenchman.)
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To: nana4bush

True, opening day is sacrosanct! I think we have the most skittish squirrels in the country.


22 posted on 10/23/2004 8:40:11 PM PDT by Atchafalaya
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To: bayourod
Bayourod, a word of advice, don't EVER call Jim Wise a CoonAss if you ever meet him. And for those who don't know, Cajuns live mostly South of Bunkie. Don't tell me you don't know where Bunkie is? LOL

The seasons always starts the first weekend in October. The daily limit is 8 per with 16 in possession.

Funny thing, most of these words do not show up in the spell checker...

23 posted on 10/23/2004 8:41:48 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: knak

It's not the only thing he's lost his grip on, Tereza being among the others.


24 posted on 10/23/2004 8:42:29 PM PDT by Fruitbat
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To: nana4bush

True, opening day is sacrosanct! I think we have the most skittish squirrels in the country.


25 posted on 10/23/2004 8:43:45 PM PDT by Atchafalaya
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To: Graybeard58

Slithering on his belly like the snake he is...


26 posted on 10/23/2004 8:44:06 PM PDT by frei_staat
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To: knak
I think Senator Kerry is finding out he's lost a HUGE fraction of the normal Democrat voter base because Kerry is a typical elitist Northeastern liberal, and most Americans can't STAND such people.
27 posted on 10/23/2004 8:46:32 PM PDT by RayChuang88
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To: FireTrack

Re: spell checker.
Try boudin, cracklin's, chaudin, courtboullion, roux, etouffe, sauce picante, bateau, bois mauvais, tasso, andouille, etc.
I saw nine and got seven on opening day. Foggy and warm to hot with a gazillion mosquitoes in the basin. Thank God for mosquito repellent.


28 posted on 10/23/2004 8:53:52 PM PDT by Atchafalaya
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To: RayChuang88
I wouldn't be afraid to bet that at least 75 percent of the people in Central Louisiana are registered Democrats. For many years now we have always overwhelmingly voted for conservative Republicans because they stand for what most of the people around here believe in.

They are Zell Miller Democrats. I think it still gall's many to vote Republican but they have no other choice.
29 posted on 10/23/2004 8:54:51 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: FireTrack
Well if it happened around here in redneck land, it was before my time. Hunting for anything that moves takes precedent over most everything around here and some kids might miss a school day to go a-hunting with daddy, but for sure the schools don't close. And football Friday night reigns supreme here.
30 posted on 10/23/2004 8:54:53 PM PDT by nana4bush
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To: knak

Nice catch! And God bless Richard Taylor. If you've seen enough snakes you can call them by name.


31 posted on 10/23/2004 8:55:30 PM PDT by concentric circles
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To: Atchafalaya

Where y'all are? It must be a coonass thing. I thought reporterette was getting some tales laid put on her, like Bayourod said.


32 posted on 10/23/2004 8:59:39 PM PDT by nana4bush
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To: Atchafalaya
"I saw nine and got seven on opening day."

Seven out of nine ain't too shabby. ;-) Did you hunt the afternoon as well?

33 posted on 10/23/2004 8:59:54 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: knak

Most computers have spell check. Unfortunately, none of them have reality check.


34 posted on 10/23/2004 9:00:24 PM PDT by ArmedNReady (Geroge Bush has Wood for the Democrats)
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To: knak
Sho. I guess they just can't see Kerry sitting down and eating crawdads.
35 posted on 10/23/2004 9:04:25 PM PDT by armymarinemom (Children and kids don't wear wings or blood stripes.)
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To: nana4bush
"Well if it happened around here in redneck land, it was before my time."

There was no school on Friday before opening day up until 1973 in the parish where I grew up. Can't say after that. :-)

36 posted on 10/23/2004 9:05:00 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: concentric circles
Richard Taylor's words do bear repeating as he speaks the truth very plainly:

The Democrat's not a Democrat, the old style Democrat. You know, the old style Democrats wasn't a liberalist, like John Kerry, you know, and Ted Kennedy and all them. They didn't believe in all those giveaway programs. That's all they do – giveaway, giveaway and you can only giveaway so long and somebody gotta pay for it.

37 posted on 10/23/2004 9:07:41 PM PDT by nana4bush
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To: FireTrack

You busted me. I am from up north. Bossier City.


38 posted on 10/23/2004 9:14:11 PM PDT by bayourod (Old Media news is poll driven, not event driven, not fact driven, not newsworthy driven.)
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To: FireTrack

A real sportmans paradise here, for sure. :>)


39 posted on 10/23/2004 9:14:15 PM PDT by nana4bush
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To: Graybeard

gotcha beat. picked cotton for a penny a pound. best day 35 lbs.


40 posted on 10/23/2004 9:21:57 PM PDT by Bob2503
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To: bayourod
"You busted me."

:-)

Theys plenty bayou round Bossier City! My oldest lives just across the river in Shreveport.

41 posted on 10/23/2004 9:22:31 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: knak

Put some Tobasco on him...he's done.


42 posted on 10/23/2004 9:23:14 PM PDT by CWOJackson
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To: FireTrack

Bossier City????? Hell, might as well be from New York City!


43 posted on 10/23/2004 9:25:52 PM PDT by ArmedNReady (George Bush has Wood for the Democrats)
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To: nana4bush

Nana, if you wanted a bisque; crab, shrimp, or better yet a crawdad bisque, and you didn't have time in your own kitchen, where would you go to order something you would really enjoy?


44 posted on 10/23/2004 9:26:30 PM PDT by concentric circles
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To: Atchafalaya

I can still remember the skeeter fogging truck going down Louis 14th Street out near Lake Ponchartrain where I grew up. We moved to Memphis when I was 9. That was 45 years ago.


45 posted on 10/23/2004 9:27:16 PM PDT by Noumenon (The Left's dedication to the destruction of a free society makes them unfit to live in that society.)
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To: nana4bush
"A real sportmans paradise here, for sure."

It's because the gals around here are such good cooks the men are always out looking for something else for the pot.

46 posted on 10/23/2004 9:29:44 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: CWOJackson

LOL, that's a good one!


47 posted on 10/23/2004 9:30:43 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: chesty_puller
Ft. Polk was a nasty place for basic training. Leesville on one side DeRidder on the other. Swamps and snakes were all around.
48 posted on 10/23/2004 9:36:13 PM PDT by DWC
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To: DWC
Don't forget Peason Ridge. During the Vietnam war, there was a training range called Tiger Village and a movie called "Tiger Land" made about it.

Recently there were some real tigers spotted inside the cantonment area. They were never captured.
49 posted on 10/23/2004 9:43:27 PM PDT by FireTrack
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To: FireTrack

Airborn rangers.


50 posted on 10/23/2004 9:49:01 PM PDT by DWC
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