Our Views: Dems face La. challenge

Although Nov. 6 proved a lucky day for Democrats in the presidential contest and in the fight for control of the U.S. Senate, the party’s influence in Louisiana races was much more muted. Louisiana Democrats can take some satisfaction in the re-election of President Barack Obama, and in Senate races across the country that resulted in strengthened Democratic control of that legislative body.

But within the state, the picture looks much bleaker for Democrats. East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden, one of Louisiana’s most prominent Democrats, easily won a third term — and affirmation of the party’s continuing hold on the leadership of Louisiana’s major cities. The mayors of Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans are all Democrats.

But with the exception of U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, who easily won re-election to his 2nd District seat, the Louisiana delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives is made up of Republicans. U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, also of New Orleans, is the lone Democrat among Louisiana’s two U.S. senators. U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie, is Louisiana’s other senator.

Landrieu is widely expected to face a strong GOP challenger if she stands for re-election in two years. U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, a Baton Rouge Republican, has been mentioned as a possible candidate for that Senate race. Cassidy has not committed to running for the Senate seat.

Landrieu struck a tone of moderation in commenting on the results of the Nov. 6 election.

“The election is over, and the president has been re-elected,” Landrieu said in a prepared statement. “Now it’s time to leave the campaign labels at the door and go to work as Americans on America’s challenges. We must focus on strengthening our economic recovery, solving our long-term debt challenges and finding a way to address our nation’s infrastructure deficit, particularly as it relates to water resources from flood protection to ports and maritime, which if not tackled will cripple our long-term recovery. Finally, I am standing ready to work with my colleagues in the Northeast toward a robust recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.”

Landrieu has managed to retain her Senate seat at a time of Republican resurgence in Louisiana by positioning herself as a balanced pragmatist, but the results of congressional and Senate races on the Nov. 6 ballot suggest that moderates are having a hard time gaining — and keeping — seats in Congress as Capitol Hill becomes increasingly polarized between right and left.

That should make for interesting politics going forward from the Nov. 6 election — both in Washington, D.C., and here in Louisiana.

Comments

1) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 14/11/2012

Whatnow, since when is compromise the same as prostitution? Senator Landrieu has done a lot of good for the state. She has been very effect in leading the way for coastal restoration as an example. She has also been good for the oil and gas industry. >>>>> Now, lets talk real prostitution by elected officials. Like the hoards of Republicans signing Grover "Poopy Head" Norquist tax pledge. Our representatives pledging their loyalty to a super pac over the people is a serious case of prostitution. Next we can discuss ALEC.

2) Comment by Whatnow - 13/11/2012

@lovemykids, so prostituting yourself for a vote is okay in your book? What if a Republican had done that?

3) Comment by Attila - 11/11/2012

@lovemykids: do you have a clue as to where the money for "the betterment of the constituents and nation as a whole" is going to come from? Not from from the Democrat base. In this state their are as many takers as there are producers. That is a toxic equation and the majority of the electorate in Louisiana knows it; hence the reason for Republican control of both houses of the legislature. You had better hope that the right side of the aisle can hold the line and legislate fiscally responsible solutions to our spending and debt problems. If they don't you will really have to love your kids as their future will be in jeopardy.

4) Comment by lovemykids - 11/11/2012

Mary Landrieu, thank you for being one of the few people in DC willing to compromise and vote for the betterment of your constituents and the Nation as a whole.

5) Comment by ScotB - 11/11/2012

Obama's reelection was very, very bad news for Mary Landrieu. She will be tethered at the hip to Obama in voter's eyes and she has to run for reelection in a year Obama is not on the ballot. She has always barely won against lackluster opponents. If Cassidy runs against her, she will need to find a post somewhere else in federal government. She knows this, so you can expect her to vote more along party lines than ever before, so she can secure that new appointment somewhere in the federal government. Too bad for Romney, but congratulations to Dr. Cassidy.

6) Comment by bourbon-soda - 10/11/2012

No problem. Democrats just keep making babies.

7) Comment by [e-mail] - 10/11/2012

Landrieu a "moderate"? Not hardly, and four more years of the same misery is enough to put any man off his feed, unless he's feeding at the taxpayer money trough or simply has a problem with reality.

8) Comment by 8point6 - 10/11/2012

Hey, mary. Could you tell us how that $300 million that you got from hussein, for your "yes" vote on obamacare is being spent?