Posted on 12/12/2002 7:26:22 PM PST by Milltownmalbay
In the GOP’s quest to upset incumbent Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu, the Republican Party might have hurt Suzanne Terrell's chances, political analysts said on Monday.
Frank Ransburg, a political historian from Southern University, conversed with Louisiana State University political science professor Wayne Parent in Baton Rouge about the effect of having too many "big guns" coming to Louisiana on behalf of Terrell.
The Terrell campaign pulled in Vice-President Dick Cheney, Senator J.C. Watts of Oklahoma and Mississippi Senator Trent Lott, the anticipated Senate majority leader. Even President George W. Bush, as well as former President George H. W. Bush, made their rounds to endorse the Republican.
Both analysts went on to compare this to late Senator Paul Wellstone's memorial service turned Democratic rally back in October. Both Ransburg and Parent agreed that bringing in these big names from Washington was indeed "overkill" on the part of Republicans, much like what took place at Wellstone's memorial service.
Former President George H. Bush may have caused some to vote Democrat when he said, "This is not about being Democrat or Republican, it's about supporting the President."
Parent notes that this was a mistake that could have sparked Republicans and independent voters to vote for Landrieu in the race.
Landrieu used the President's visits to her advantage, taking the campaign into her own hands by professing that the Bush administration was planning to hinder the already hurting sugar industry by designing a plan that would allow for twice as much the amount of sugar already imported form Mexico.
Parent said that by targeting the sugar issue it gave Landrieu an advantage because she focused on an issue that had to do with the economy rather than a social issue which identified her as "a candidate of the working people."
Though the sugar issue didn't have much significance in areas of Louisiana other than the sugar-belt, it became an important economic issue. Though the campaign ads weren't top-notch, they were getting press, giving Landrieu the edge over Terrell.
Initially Bush had no reaction, but later objected to Landrieu's allegations remarking that not everything read in the Mexican newspapers is fact when the content pertains to U.S. policy.
Terrell spent most of her time campaigning in Acadiana and in sections of North Louisiana where a small number of voters live according to Ransburg. He continued to suggest that maybe if Public Service Commissioner Jay Blossman would have remained in the race, he most likely could have won. Parent reasoned that a different Republican candidate could have won the race.
Ransburg and Parent were asked if Louisiana would encounter sanctions from the Bush administration because of Landrieu's re-election. Ransburg responded, "not any more than we would get from a political party that was in control."
Parent even brought up Bush's re-election chances. Bush wouldn't put any restraints on the state because as said by Parent, "Bush needs to carry Louisiana" in '04.
Naw, it was the graveyard vote. In New Orleans they don't even have to dig them up to sign the voter registration card. You even get an automatic turnover as the choice spots get reused from time to time.
But what unites them? Their rank hypocrisy.
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