“Sometimes, the ball bounces the other way”.
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As the two men vying to be Louisiana’s next governor move into the campaign ahead of a November 21 runoff, they’re asking the state’s voters to decide who’s more unpopular in the state: term-limited Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal or Democratic President Barack Obama.
Edwards came out with the sharpest attack.
Louisiana voters headed to the polls on Saturday to choose a successor to Governor Bobby Jindal, but experts and surveys suggest the race may go to a runoff after a faltering campaign by early favorite Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter.
Sure, Democrat and Independent voters will do their thing, but we know who they’re supporting and that won’t be enough to get Edwards the keys to the Governor’s Mansion. David Vitter, who received 23 percent.
Edwards campaigned as a conservative Democrat – pro-gun and anti-abortion and from a family of sheriffs. Remember, John Kennedy, Treasurer has been Vitter’s chief surrogate and there has been much talk that he would run for US Senate, which a few believe might be the reason he backed Vitter at full-throttle.
Vitter admitted in 2007 to “a very serious sin” after disclosures that his phone number had appeared on the list of clients of so-called “D.C. Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey’s escort agency. Conway, quoting from a playbook that failed Democrats in 2014, has campaigned proudly on his lawsuits against the Obama EPA. He also has a West Point degree and military background. He is running on conservative values and describing himself as a political outsider.
Vitter is making the competition a partisan one, which has worked well for other Republican candidates in recent years as Louisiana has become an increasingly red state. That doesn’t mean Dardenne, who will now be courted to run for the upcoming mayor’s race in Baton Rouge, or Angelle will endorse Vitter, but it does mean they won’t endorse Edwards. It’s a lot of great people who are behind me.
Six other statewide races – including competitive races for lieutenant governor and attorney general – are also on the ballot, along with four constitutional amendments, state legislative seats and local elections.
My guess is Dardenne voters, collectively more moderate than Angelle’s, will have an easier time joining the “anyone but Vitter” camp.
The governor’s race remains undecided as Louisiana voters face another call to the polls next month.
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“I’m going to personally ask (Angelle and Dardenne) for whatever support they can give me”, he said.
