GOP candidate watch

[jaguar]

Congressman Boustany, so far unopposed, is holding a couple of fundraisers this week in Jennings and Eunice. Come eat some crawfish or volunteer to serve. I'll be out there both days.

WHY: Summer Fundraiser (Crawfish Boil)

WHEN: Wednesday, May 31 from 5:00 -8:00 or
Thursday, June 1 from 5:00 -8:00

WHERE: Wednesday in Jennings at the Fairgrounds or
Thursday in Eunice at the Eunice Pavilion

I understand Boustany plans to have a fundraiser in Lafayette this summer but, so far, one has not been officially announced.

Also, David Vitter will be holding a townhall meeting in New Iberia, Tuesday, May 30, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Iberia Parish Courthouse, 300 Iberia St., Council Chambers, 4th floor.

[abbd]

When I saw the title of this thread, I got excited thinking maybe a conservative Republican might step up and run against our current RINO Parish President. You know it's really a shame to hear this administration referred to on talk radio as "conservative". In my opinion having numerous bills introduced in the legislature to raise gasoline taxes and my sales tax plus they've already raised my and your property tax (to fund a government BS program) ain't conservative. Feel free to correct me if you feel these are conservative ideas. Maybe I'm not sure what conservative means in Lafayette. Sorry to hijack your thread M. Please forgive me.

[TBEAR]

That sounds right to me abbd.

[jaguar]

abbd, I don't consider it hijacking, so no apology necessary. I think it's good to encourage public involvement. Attend one of the events I listed and express your feelings there or on this forum.

I wonder if there really is a true conservative in public office who can vote, author and pass legislation, etc. that is purely conservative. Much of politics is about compromise, so it's better to have someone who calls himself/herself a conservative, and who may be in his/her heart, but is hemmed in by boundaries unforeseen before entering office. The power is in hands hands of the people, at least according to the U.S. Constitution. We can use it by holding our elected officials accountable to their campaign promises, and then giving them a chance to explain why and when they can't follow through as promise.

The undertow of politics seems to pull to the left. Left-wingers are seldom seen compromising their political principles and moving right. I will never understand it.

[percy]

I think that Representative Boustany could afford to get his own message board.

It is nice to know that Boustany "so far unopposed, is holding a couple of fundraisers."

I am sure that Boustany already has several hundreds of thousands of dollars ( over six hundred thousand, I believe) in his campaign account.

I would think that he could afford to throw a couple of crawfish boils for the persons from his district displaced by Rita and not charge anything.

[jaguar]

Great points percy. Maybe he or someone on his staff will read what you've posted and do just that.

Let's keep in mind that Boustany is not the first or only politician who's earned or inherited or married into a fortune and held fundraisers, even if so far unopposed. There's plenty of time for the democrats (or demonrats, as abbd calls 'em) to piece together their next Frankenstein candidate--depending of course on what the latest polls tell them.

[zoe10850]

I do not think that the democrats have a clue. The latest trend seems to be to call yourself a conservative republican, call all opposition liberal, and proceed to act like a tax and spend liberal because our local media will not challenge the label. Too bad, because we are only hurting ourselves.

Any person who would look at the officeholders can see that the reality is the republicans act like democrats, and the democrats are just confused. I say lets find some real libertarians to hold office; Thomas Jefferson;the government that governs least governs best.

[coolboy]

Hi, Zoe. Personally, Democrats have really let me down these past few years. Republicans are even worse. I am a big fan of small government, but it seems that the exact opposite has taken place. The size of the government has ballooned in the past few years. Republicans are calling people unpatriotic when anyone disagrees with them, and the Democrats don't have anyone that can step out of the crowd to lead them. Did anyone say Howard Dean? Don't make me laugh.

Thanks for the info on the fundraisers, Jaguar. Unfortunately, I can't make it to any of the ones that are coming up, but once November draws closer, I'll definitely make time to hear what everyone running has to say. I have no party affiliation, so I guess I'm what people refer to as the "swing voter".

[zoe10850]

I am almost ashamed to admit that I am still a democrat, but am not a member of the "rainbow coalition"branch. I am more ashamed of the republicans who have become a bunch of flag wavers who question loyalty whenever one disagrees w/them. You see these scoundrels everywhere with their flag pins on their lapels, or the shirts pasted w/flags. I would like to see government butting out of our lives as much as possible; no more setting speed limits, drinking regulations,abortion rights,voting rights, land use rights, whatever. Rules that apply in Washington D C do not necessarily apply in Louisiana. Those are states rights. Appointed judges have declared otherwise, and this has led this country down a bad road. Legislation by the judiciary.

Promise everyone somrthing for nothing. tax the other guy. Let government solve life's problems. That is the promise of the republican and democrats, and it will not work but we keep buying into the promise, and elect these self serving monkey's. Shame on us.

[cwhite]

I can't help but think that the pendulum has got to swing back in the other direction soon and personal responsiblity and integrity (in the general population - I'm fairly positive policitians are barred by the system from such) will gain some moral ground. Problem is that we're far to fat, happy and entertained to ponder anything greater than our next meal. Most of us, I mean. Present parties excluded.

I'm in the swing crowd as well. We're a cynical public. I think most politicians are scumbags and the good guys have to scum up just to get a couple of things done. It sucks.

I'd have to say that at this point - and I don't think I'm alone - I'd take an up front and in-your-face get-it-doner who admits his or her faults, intentions and shortcomings over the best looking guy next door any day. I HATE P.R. I work in P.R. Don't believe anything you hear (or see on Fox News - sorry, but they are their own league). Believe what you watch on C-SPAN and what you read in congressional reports. And that's all.

National elections will be interesting in two years.

[Dorothy]

I just read through this thread again, and it is interesting. All of these posts were made over 1 year ago, but are relevent to current election cycle. Wake up people. Do not vote by party, vote by person. Independents are not always independent, Republicans are not all conservative, and democrats are not always liberal. Learn about the people running; party affiliation is a matter of opportunity to the candidate as much as not. Boasso is not really a democrat. Michot is not really a republican.

[ij]

You nailed that post Dorothy. You could not have found better examples than the two you posted.

[zoe10850]

I have been viewing commercials that plug some of the candidates, that is the better funded ones. It is interesting to note that all are in favor of ethics and tightening the belt of the budget.

We know that Nancy Landry(?) likes crawfish and smiles a lot, and will work hard for you, we know that Paige Cortez likes to walk with Mike Michot and believes in what Michot tells him, we know that Pat Leblanc believes in strong ethics and spending control, we know that Cravins has authored and passed many bills against sex offenders and is against taxes.

What a crock. I want to know what these people will do if elected, and exactly how that will be accomplished. We all pay lip service to ethics, but who really wants that ? If the budget is tightened, will we get more and better roads ? How will we improve law enforcement (not with cameras, I assure you). We all know (on this board) that Durel has badly failed to fulfill any of his promise or platform, yet he has no opposition. So, again I wonder, where is the "free press" who should be keeping citizens informed ?

[ij]

Looks as though our "press" is asleep at the wheel. Look around at what passes for "press" in this town. Our newspaper and tv is nothing but a vessel for news releases by our elected politicians. Have you ever seen any "investigative reports" by ANY of our media? Any shocking developements involving our elected politicians? Ever seen any indepth research done on any politician? It's a joke a big joke on us. Complicit press is a very dangerous thing.

[ij]

Doesn't Mike also own a company which does lots of business with government?

[zoe10850]

Both make their living through government. LeBlanc is in the private jail business, and has been very successful housing federal inmates. Michot makes his money off of medicare patients, and is successful as well. I do not have a problem with successful people, but I have a problem with hypocrites, and Michot is that. Example; he was charged with ethics violations involving our honorable (or is that horrible) Clerk of Court a few years ago. I would not vote for anyone that he supports or is involved with. RINO.

[zoe10850]

And what is the deal with Cortez/Michot ? Are they holding hands in the commercials ? I was waiting for a soft candle light shot w/them sipping wine.