Louisiana Tea Leaves
Robert Goidel
Posted: 10.13.2008 / 10:28 PM PDT
A couple of local events merit closer attention. First, incumbent East Baton Rouge Mayor/President Melvin “Kip” Holden won reelection on October 4 with a remarkable 71% of the vote. Holden, an African-American Democrat, won election in 2004 running against an unpopular incumbent. Since 2004, he has worked tirelessly as an advocate for the city. He was rewarded with an overwhelming victory. His election night comments are reflective of his political approach.
“Tonight we send a message across America: that it’s not Republican or Democrat, it’s not black or white. Baton Rouge has come together as a city and parish on the move. And you know what? People will be coming here to take lessons!”
As the presidential election moves closer, Holden’s victory is instructive. Race may be a factor, but it can also be overcome by the right candidate with the right message at the right time.
Second is the Senate election between incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu and State Treasurer John Kennedy. Landrieu entered this election cycle with the dubious title of most vulnerable Democrat in the Senate. She has since moved into the lead and could win more comfortably than her narrow wins in 2002 and 1996. Her opponent has repeatedly tried to connect her to the national political scene to little avail, asking her point blank at the end of a recent debate about why she supports Senator Barack Obama. [Her opponent – who only recently switched parties - supported John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election, giving the debate an Alice in Wonderland moment].
Like earlier elections this year, efforts to connect conservative Democrats to Obama (and to a liberal national party) have proven ineffectual. They may even backfire. Landrieu could benefit from renewed enthusiasm among Louisiana’s African American voters, while losing few (if any) votes to Kennedy because of McCain’s coattails. For one, McCain does not seem to have any coattails. For another, Landrieu emerged post-Katrina as Louisiana’s most vigorous and effective voice in Washington.
She is running a classic incumbent strategy, emphasizing her willingness to reach across party lines and pointing to her success in securing funds (dare we say earmarks?) for Louisiana. To paraphrase Governor Bobby Jindal, Mary Landrieu has proven to be a problem solver and not a politician, and she will likely be reward for her efforts.
From the beginning of this election year, voters have been looking for something different.
Call it change. Better yet, call it leadership.
