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(Great Video from our Working Brother's and Sister's at the IBEW pitching in to help Louisiana return! Great job! - promoted by stephen)
Hammered by Hurricane Katrina and the worst oil spill in history, the residents of Louisiana's Gulf Coast are trying to make it through these tough times with the help of IBEW members who work and live in the region.
In a very special episode of Blue Monday’s, Stephen sits down with State Senator Butch Gautreaux and talks about his race to become our next Lt. Governor.
The “Louisiana Tea Party” is currently running ads attacking Hunt Downer’s conservative bona fides trying to saddle him with the “R.I.N.O.” label as well as trying to attach him to former Governor Blanco.
At the heart of the opposition is Downer's decision to skip an August forum that was sponsored by the Baton Rouge Tea Party. After the forum, the organization sent out a press release declaring, "The Tea Party of Louisiana will not sit quietly while a wolf in sheep's clothing like Downer runs around and 'pretends' to be a tea party activist."
So will the Tea Party ultimately be successful?Or will it just weaken Downer enough that it then prevents folks from supporting him in November when he faces Democrat Ravi Sangisetty – ultimately allowing Sangisetty to win?
(Special thanks to folks from the Institute for Southern Studies for contributing! We welcome guest contributions - just shoot us an email with your username and we'll make sure you are able to post. - promoted by Matt)
Cross-posted from an article by Sue Sturgis on Facing South
President Obama plans to be in New Orleans on Aug. 29 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina -- a prime opportunity to put disaster recovery issues back atop the national agenda.
Obama is scheduled to deliver a speech at Xavier University, the nation's only historically black Roman Catholic institution of higher learning. Weeks before Katrina's first anniversary, then-U.S. Sen. Obama delivered a commencement address to school's first graduating class in the disaster's wake.
The president's trip is being hailed across the Gulf, where a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that a majority of New Orleanians fear the rest of the country has forgotten about the challenges they still face. In an Aug. 17 editorial, the New Orleans Times-Picayune noted that the visit is important both symbolically and practically:
The Advocate’s Capital News Bureau is reporting tonight that Brent Furer, the Vitter Staffer who was convicted of two DWI’s and plead out on charges relating to him assaulting his ex-girlfriend, had tax payer funded travel to and from his court appearances in Baton Rouge.
Taxpayers footed the bill when a former aide to Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter traveled to Louisiana on trips coinciding with court-related activities involving the aide’s most recent DWI arrest.
Vitter’s U.S. Senate office expense account records show two trips by Brent Furer from Washington, D.C., to Louisiana —one in 2007 and the other 2008.
The dates of the trips match times Furer was scheduled to make appearances related to his Dec. 28, 2004 arrest for driving while intoxicated and other related charges, according to Baton Rouge City Court records.
Further into the story:
The U.S. Senate’s expense records show Vitter’s office account was billed $634.20 for transportation for Furer leaving Washington, D.C., on Oct. 12, 2007 to New Orleans and returning on Oct. 18, 2007.
Furer appeared in court on Oct. 17, 2007, according to Baton Rouge City Court records, then was referred to the probation division.The U.S. Senate records also show that Vitter’s office expense account was tapped for $746 for Furer’s transportation from Washington, D.C., to Baton Rouge and New Orleans leaving Aug. 5, 2008, and returning Aug. 14, 2008.
Furer signed a probation agreement in Baton Rouge on Aug 7, 2008, attesting that he would fulfill the conditions of the sentence.
But in a seemingly new bit of information – David Vitter has on staff Rev. Malcolm Richard who is one of his regional directors.Richard is the one who certified that Furer fulfilled the first part of his sentence of 18 hours of community service.Isn’t this a conflict of interest?Was Richard working for Vitter at the time of this sentence and if so, who verified this.
With this latest report it also seems logical to believe that Furer was also PAID for WORKING those 18 hours that were to be Community Service.
Also it seems to me that Vitter can no longer claim that he didn’t know about these issues with Furer if senior members of his staff knew about it AND the office was paying for Furer’s travel.
A new Poll released today shows that Vitter will likely be forced into a Run Off if he is to keep his seat in the US Senate.The initial and detailed report was first reported by The Franklin Sun.
The poll was conducted on behalf of Vitter’s Republican Primary challenger, frmr Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court Chet Traylor.After delivering the information about Vitter’s “Serious Sins” as well as his continuing to employ Brent Furer after all of his “problems,” – the poll shows that Vitter has 46 % to Traylor’s 34%.
Lacking Vitter's name recognition, Traylor needs a strong protest showing to either oust Vitter or force him into a runoff. By publicizing the results of this survey, he's basically offering 527s and independent expenditure groups a blueprint for a messaging and ad campaign that will get results. Many of his supporters are wealthy, but are hamstrung by direct donation limits. They face no such limits to their donations to outside advocates, who would then carry the water for Traylor on these issues.
There was a noticeable difference at this year’s event.No more buffet brought in and sponsored by other groups – this year we had a plated dinner and a packed room.There were very few open seats left in the room and you couldn’t fit another table in the room if you tried.
In a touch of genius (and perhaps this is just my inner “gleek” speaking) but the meeting got started off by Miss Jo’ Hilliard singing the National Anthem… and wow… I really enjoyed that.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the event and even mentioned the Stonewall Democrats which was nice.
But the night was to honor those who fought for Democratic Principles and Values and to honor them for their service.Tonight’s honorees were “Lindy” Boggs, Rev. Harry Blake and Victor Bussie.
Continuing with the theme here – The DSCC concluded the meeting by welcoming the Democrats who are vying for the US Senate.As there is a Democrat who is challenging Congressman Melancon.
Continuing with our theme here – The DSCC meeting continued with Chairman Leach introducing Democrats who are running for Congress from the various districts throughout the state.I have done the best I can to outline their speeches here but also give you my opinion on each – the big question is – WHAT DO YOU THINK?Please comment on the item here – or send me your thoughts at stephen@dailykingfish.com
The Louisiana Democratic Party held their annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner last night in Baton Rouge at the Capital Hilton.The “JJ” Dinner as it is lovingly referred to, is the Democrats annual large fundraiser and attracts Democrats from throughout the state to rally together and look towards future elections.
This year they started out with a State Central Committee meeting where all candidates running for office this fall were allowed to talk for a few minutes to introduce themselves.This meeting wasn’t as well attended as some in the past that I remember and I was actually surprised that so few State Central Committee Members were in attendance.I suppose the good news is that in speaking with a few via the telephone they all shared with me that they have been in touch with their respective campaigns but were just otherwise committed due to school starting and a myriad of other issues.
Up first, Chairman Leach welcomed everyone and alerted us that each candidate in attendance would speak, and so here are the brief bits that I thought our readers would be most interested in.I will do the best I can to link to their websites where a website can be found.
New Orleans political commentator Clancy Dubos from Gambit Weekly joined Rachel Maddow to discuss Senator Vitter and how his moral and ethical problems will affect the campaign.
In recent weeks we have seen a developing story out of Shreveport.City officials have confirmed that they are working out details to purchase and upgrade the dilapidated Joe D. Waggoner Federal Building on Fannin Street to turn it into a Religious Right Law School.
Many may not realize the huge strides Shreveport has been taking in the last few years with Mayor Glover at the helm.The city has becoming more progressive and welcoming and is openly courting the stunning boon to their economy that the Entertainment Industry has yielded.These huge and positive steps forward have included attracting millions of dollars in reinvestments inside and outside of the city and even adding employment protections for the LGBT Community as a city ordinance.Thus illustrating what Richard Florida deemed the “Creative Class” is indeed welcome.
But now all that seems to be at risk. (follow jump for more...)
This week saw the official start of the U.S. Senate election – forget about the primary – Senator David Vitter and Congressman Melancon are racing directly to November.
Here are the two Ads – follow the jump for commentary.
(Really and outstanding overview of this case - well worth the read - Great post! - promoted by stephen)
The airwaves (and the print and blog waves, for that matter) are filled with the news that a Federal Judge in California has declared that State’s Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional, which could clear the way for the resumption of same-sex weddings in the State.
Ordinarily, this would be the point where I would present to you a walkthrough of the ruling, and we’d have a fine conversation about the legal implications of what has happened.
I’m not doing that today, frankly, because the ground is already well-covered; instead, we’re going to take a look at some of the tactics that were used to pass Prop 8, as they were presented in Judge Vaughan’s opinion.
It’s an ugly story—and even more than that, it’s a reminder of why it’s tough to advance civil rights through the political process, and what you have to deal with when you’re trying to make such a thing happen.
Yesterday the U.S. House in a special session called by Speaker Pelosi, passed a much needed State Aid bill that will save Louisiana at least 2,800 teachers their jobs right now.
Republicans largely attacked this bill – even though it was PAID FOR by partially closing the loophole that corporations have been long abusing that allows them to get out of paying taxes.This bill does more than help teachers though – it will also shore up healthcare in Louisiana by providing an estimated $375 Million to extend the increased federal match rate for Medicaid.It is also good to note that this bill while completely paid for also cuts $1.4 Billion from the deficit over 10 years.
Congressman Melancon in his press release after this vote said “With the start of the new school year fast approaching, this bill will make sure Louisiana’s public schools don’t have to lay off teachers because of tightening budgets.”Also, “… it will also free up resources in the state budget to restore some of the painful cuts to healthcare and education Governor Jindal made this year.I urge the Governor and the state legislature to not waste any time in asking for this federal funding.”Pointing out the clear point that Jindal is yet again faced with a question – Will he do what is right for the state and secure this money- or will he stick to the party line and betray the teachers and those who most need help in our fragile Medicaid system.
In Louisiana it is interesting to note in the Congressional District Break down that the districts which arguably have the MOST TO GAIN – voted against this.Both Congressmen Fleming and Alexander voted against this bill while their district will save over 500 teacher’s jobs – EACH.(Voting against – Alexander, Scalise, Cassidy, Fleming.Voting FOR the bill were Melancon & Cao and Boustany didn’t record a vote.)
So let’s start a pool… how fast will these republicans show up with a publishers clearing house check at school board meetings to claim they are delivering for their districts?
So Matt and I were invited along with other Louisianans to be in attendance at the White House Press Event in the East Room with the New Orleans Saints and President Obama.
Unfortunately, we, along with 3 other gentlemen, were not cleared in time for the event despite giving our names, addresses, SSN's and birthdates early last week to the nice lady in the Department of Homeland Security who contacted us.
All I can say is, at least I got to see Marine One take off to take the President to Air Force One so he could attend his events in Texas later today.
Today Jeremy Alford writing for TheInd.com published a follow-up piece to his earlier article entitled “Vote for Me Dot Com” where he further investigates the solid team that 3rd Congressional District Democratic Nominee Ravi Sangisetty has assembled.
Alford writes:
Ravi Sangisetty, a Houma attorney, stands out from the rest of the pack because he’s the only Democrat, but his campaign has also expended the most resources in the developing 3rd Congressional District contest — about $260,000. A review of his expense reports on file with the Federal Elections Commission shows a structure that’s thus far unmatched in the race, with several workers and consultants on the rolls.
It should be noted that Ravi was able to spend that money because he has outraised his competitors dramatically over the past 6 months or so.He also seems to be running his campaign very smart and reaching out to real voters to bypass the political spin machines.If you want to know more about Ravi visit his website.
While I was in DC last week I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of attention that is being given to Ravi – and make no mistake the reason for this attention is solely because Ravi has worked very hard to earn it.Imagine what he could do as our congressman!
Cross-posted from an article by Sue Sturgis on 
The Advocate’s Capital News Bureau is reporting tonight that Brent Furer, the Vitter Staffer who was convicted of two DWI’s and plead out on charges relating to him assaulting his ex-girlfriend, had tax payer funded travel to and from his court appearances in Baton Rouge.
A new Poll released today shows that Vitter will likely be forced into a Run Off if he is to keep his seat in the US Senate.
