Republicans May Censure Their Own

In a story carried by the New Orleans Times Picayune, Roger Villere, the state GOP chairman, and the Louisiana Republican Party is considering ways to discipline more than two dozen prominent Republicans publicly backing incumbent Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu over her GOP opponent, Treasurer John Kennedy.

 

Villere was quoted as saying, "When high-profiled elected Republicans endorse Democrats, it sends the message that we are not united and confuses the Republican message."  In other words, party comes first and the country comes second, and if you are a Republican official you should not have a right to endorse the candidate of your choice or that candidate you think is best qualified to serve the people.  As extreme as that sounds, that is the exact message of Villere and the Republican Party.

 

As a Democrat, I don't get particularly concerned when Democrats disagree with their party on certain issues; I would rather have Democrats have their own independent thoughts rather than just follow the party line.  Republicans meet every day, come up with talking points, and repeat the message over and over like robots; Democrats don't have that problem.

 

The most embarrassing episode for the GOP in this intense Senate race is that four major Republican officials from St. Tammany Parish (where Kennedy lives) are supporting Senator Landrieu.  The real story here is that Senator Landrieu is doing her job representing the people she serves, and even Republicans are aware of her bipartisanship and importance as a senior senator.

DSCC Road to Victory: Mary Landrieu

As all attention is focused on the Presidential Race, it's important to keep in mind that in November, many Senate and Congressional seats will be up for the taking.  But more important than gaining seats in Congress, is keeping those seats which Democrats currently occupy.  

Now, with that being said, the general consensus is that Mary Landrieu's (D-Louisiana) Senate seat is the most vulnerable, and I, from being on the ground here in New Orleans, agree.  Still, she has had a very impressive first quarter in regards to fundraising and has racked up many high profile endorsements, from both Democrats and Republicans.  

What's important to remember, on a personal note for me, is how hard Sen. Landrieu has fought for the people of Louisiana, especially after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The following video, from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), highlights just that:

Another Sign of Democrats' Strength Heading into '08

It has been said that 2008 should be another very good year for Democrats as far as elections are concerned. As I was checking out some Senate campaign sites today, I found one that really attested to the strength of the Democratic party.

It is generally agreed upon that just about all of the Democratic Senate seats up for reelection in '08 are safe, except for one. That one Democratic seat that many have said could go to Republicans is that of Senior Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu. What shocked me is that although that sentiment is that Landrieu very well could lose in '08, she has raised five times the amount of cash she did in the 3rd quarter during the 2002 campaign. During the last two quarters, she has raised $3.4 million. That, for a small state Senator who many expect to lose, is extremely impressive. It is just another sign of the Democrats' strength, especially considering Louisiana is trending more and more Republican.

It is also important to note that the GOP has not yet announced a candidate to challenge Landrieu in 2008. From what I've heard, Republicans are having a problem finding someone with enough electability to go up against Landrieu. So, if the Democrat who is most expected to lose in '08 has raised $3.4 million so far, and doesn't even have a challenger, I guess that says a lot about the Republican Party----it's in shambles.

On a side note, Sen. Landrieu's brother, current Lousiaina Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, is rumored to challenge David "I'm a family man even though I higher prostitutes" Vitter for the Senate in 2010.