What in the World is Wrong with the East Baton Rouge GOP
Today, the East Baton Rouge GOP will announce their support of Buddy Caldwell in his run for re-election for Louisiana Attorney General. In the response from Woody Jenkins, "we were impressed with his positions on substantive issues.”
Photo source: Think Progress
What substantive issues would that be, Mr. Jenkins? Would it be Caldwell's support for government takeover of healthcare? Caldwell even went so far as to say that “I trust the government more than insurance companies.” Does this sound like someone with conservative values that Jenkins has referenced to in their endorsement?
Photo source: WWL TV
Also, Caldwell has lined the pockets of some of his donors with taxpayer money while working on the settlement following the BP disaster. $38 million in fees have been paid to these donors, who are politically tied to Caldwell, which take a significant chunk out of the settlement being paid to the State of Louisiana. Does this sound like someone who is ethically qualified for this office, Mr. Jenkins?
Photo source: YouTube
Finally, the faux-Elvis who've serenaded the likes of Mary Landrieu during a recent Mardi Gras celebration in Washington, DC has been found in the company of noted liberal Democrats in the state during an election announcement. Sen. Barbara Norton's announcement came with the likes of a photo op with our "conservative" Attorney General, according to Jenkins' determination of conservative.
Photo source: KTBS
What is the real reason for this endorsement? What is the parish GOP party really endorsing this RINO for? Could this be a pay-for-play, for which Caldwell is notorious? Only time will tell.
Buddy Can't Have it Both Ways
Photo source: Flickr
After reading Sam Hannah’s article last week in the Ouachita Citizen, I had to check to make sure I clicked the right link. I thought that I had somehow gotten to a Buddy Caldwell campaign press release. There was no mistake. I understand opinion editorials, but I was surprised to see that it lacked any pretense of objective journalism.
Apparently, Buddy Caldwell should be applauded for his magnificent leadership in reaching the settlement between the state and BP over the oil spill. The outside lawyers that Buddy hired are only getting $38 million in fees, while firms representing other states are getting close to $700 million. It does seem like a good deal, but hardly anything is as it seems.
No matter how much Mr. Hannah may want to simplify it to cast Buddy in a nice light, there are few facts that I think he and his readers should be reminded.
The reason the lawyers are getting paid $38 million instead of close to a billion has nothing to do with the leadership of Buddy Caldwell. In fact, shortly after the spill, the Attorney General tried his hardest to see that his friends and campaign contributors would be enriched just like the lawyers of those other states.
Since Mr. Hannah didn’t, let me put on my journalistic cap and offer a little background so you can be truly informed. Louisiana law provides that outside lawyers hired by the AG to represent the state be paid on an hourly rate instead of being allowed a contingency on the reward won by the state. But shortly after the BP spill, Buddy teamed with the Senate President to offer SB 731 in the 2010 legislative session. The bill would have allowed the lawyers Buddy hired compensation based on a contingency agreement instead of an hourly rate. Fortunately for us, he wasn’t successful. But had he been, the campaign contributors he hired to represent the state would have made a killing just like those lawyers representing the other Gulf States.
This notion that man should be applauded for something he fought against is ludicrous.
Rhetoric vs Results
Photo source: Bloomberg
Time and time again I hear or read about some Conservative commentator either question the Conservatism of Jeb Bush or outright call him a RINO. But at the same time, I hear or read hardly any of those commentators question Bobby Jindal’s Conservatism, which begs the question, what exactly are we defining Conservatism as based on? Is it rhetoric or results? Is being a Conservative based on governing principles or is it based on a few particular issues and whether one falls on the right or left of those issues?
Anyone being objective has to plainly admit that Jindal has been a colossal failure as Governor of Louisiana. Here is a man that was elected with a mandate in 2007 and an even larger mandate in 2011. Yet I’ve been racking my brain and can’t think of one generational change he has made that substantively places Louisiana in a better place than when he took office. Not a single one!
Granted, he has supposedly changed the culture of corruption and instituted ethical reforms that look good on paper. Yet it is entirely disingenuous to say that it has actually changed things, which is evident by state legislators earmarking tax dollars to their favored NGOs and the Edwineseque pay to play scheme of Buddy Caldwell’s Attorney General office.
Everyone knows that Louisiana has way too many four-year universities which cause our limited resources to be spread too thin in order to prop up colleges that should have been shuttered long ago. Louisiana infrastructure is still underfunded with better days nowhere in sight. We still have an unfair tax structure that is too dependent on business and in particular, the oil and gas industry.
On top of that, Jindal has being using budget gimmicks and one-time money continuously to “balance” the budget. Just look at this past legislative session. All 144 legislators knew they couldn’t do anything to truly fix the finances of this state until the next governor arrives. This is after seven years of “Conservative” Jindal governance! But they went ahead and passed unconstitutional tax increases and what was Bobby’s only concern? It was making sure that it wouldn’t be scored by Grover Norquist as a tax increase, in deference to his campaign for the Presidency. I’m not sure when it became okay for a son of Dixie to have to clear something with a Yankee elitist in regards to his own state but I digress, back to the point. Seven years under this apparently Conservative governor and our budget is more screwed than when he took the reins.
Now Jeb Bush institutes the first voucher program in the country and puts in place tax credits for companies that donate for private school scholarships. He cut taxes in Florida by almost $20 billion and ended affirmative action preferences in universities and state contracting. He enhanced Florida’s concealed carry laws and signed the Stand Your Ground law. It didn’t take a video release and public outcry for him to revoke state contracts with Planned Parenthood. On top of all that, he balanced the budgets and left his successor a rainy day fund of almost $10 billion.
Jindal leaves a pile of crap for the next guy and Bush leaves a huge surplus, so again I ask what are we basing Conservatism on? Is it the actual governing or just the rhetoric about governing? Is Jeb not conservative enough because he thinks there ought to be an avenue for granting legal status to certain segments of the illegal immigrant population and because he supports Common Core? Let us not forget that both David Vitter and Jindal supported Common Core before they flipped. So is Bush less Republican because he has a spine and doesn’t let the polls dictate his positions, whether its immigration or Common Core? Is he less conservative because he doesn’t go around speaking in sound bites of red meat for the base like Jindal?
Granted, Bobby did cut taxes with the repeal of the Stelly tax, even though his support for the repeal was half-hearted at best. But is Bobby simply more conservative because he’s unapologetically pro-life, stands for traditional marriage, and wears his faith on his sleeve? Is he more conservative because pastors have an easier time getting a hold of him than state legislators? Those particular issues are the only strong convictions Jindal apparently has of which he won’t back down from and rightly so, but what about the rest? When he wanted to revamp the tax code and repeal the income tax, where was his conviction then? He folded on the first day of session. When some wanted to take a common sense step of merging SUNO with UNO, the Legislative Black Caucus gives a little push back, and once again, he folds. He’s flipped-flopped on Common Core. He bashed the stimulus while travelling the state for check-granting ceremonies. Is this really conservative governing? All rhetoric but no real results?
Give me a break with all this RINO talk. Bush governed Florida a hell of a lot better than Jindal has in Louisiana. It’s not even close! If Bobby’s Administration is that of a Conservative and Bush’s Administration is that of a RINO, then I for one pray our next governor is a RINO. Maybe then we could actually move forward instead of treading water.
David Vitter Releases First TV Ad
John Kennedy's Latest Re-Election Campaign Video
Photo source: YouTube
It's vintage Kennedy reminiscing on his upbringing and the values learned in small town Zachary, LA that he's brought to Baton Rouge.
State Representative Stuart Bishop's Re-Election Announcement
State Rep. Stuart Bishop (R-Laf) announced his intention to see reelection in his district yesterday. Accompanied by Rep. Joel Robideaux and former Congressman Mike Michot, Bishop released the following statement:
I’m honored to represent Lafayette Parish and am thankful for the opportunity to continue serving our community. Over the past four years, I’ve worked hard to pass common sense legislation to bring greater transparency to state government, strengthen ethics standards, cut bureaucratic red tape for families and businesses, protect our oil and gas industry, improve voting opportunities, access and technology and sustain our sportsman’s paradise. I’m ready to continue moving our Louisiana forward.
Photo source: Facebook
Photo source: Facebook
Photo source: Facebook
Vitter to New Orleans Mayor Landrieu: Focus on Murders, Not Monuments
For Immediate Release
Contact: Luke Bolar
August 12, 2015
504-779-3771
In a letter today, Vitter urges Landrieu to establish a new State Police Troop in New Orleans paid for by local revenue and tourism industry pledges along with a much larger role for the State Police in training NOPD. Vitter also urges Landrieu to “focus on murders, not monuments.”
(Metairie, La.) – David Vitter today sent a letter to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu stating the murder rate is primarily the responsibility of local leadership, not the federal government. The letter is in response to Mayor Landrieu’s recent comments in the press criticizing Vitter, saying he hasn’t delivered enough federal resources to local law enforcement agencies to fight crime.
In his letter, Vitter recommended that Mayor Landrieu actively push his proposal to establish a new State Police Troop in New Orleans paid for by local revenue and tourism industry pledges, along with a much larger role for the State Police in training NOPD. Vitter also urges Landrieu to “focus on murders, not monuments.”
A copy of Vitter’s letter from today is below.
“August 12, 2015
The Honorable Mitch J. Landrieu
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Dear Mitch:
I was disappointed with your recent attacks against me in response to my comments to the State Troopers Association on the New Orleans murder epidemic.
New Orleans’ horrendous murder rate is not, primarily, the federal government’s responsibility; it’s yours. Still, the federal taxpayer has given New Orleans more aid per capita in the last ten years than to any other city in history because of Katrina, including major and unprecedented law enforcement funding.
I have two strong suggestions regarding the New Orleans murder crisis:
1) Please actively push my and others’ proposal to not just continue a State Police presence in New Orleans, but to establish a whole new State Police Troop there paid for by local revenue and tourism industry pledges, and a much larger role for the State Police in training NOPD.
2) For goodness sake, focus on murders, not monuments.
Sincerely,
David Vitter”
The State of Louisiana Will Get Nearly $7 Billion in BP Settlement, But First Buddy Caldwell's Bills Have to Be Paid
Before Louisiana receives any of the money that is allocated as a result of the settlement with BP, Louisiana Attorney Buddy Caldwell's employ of lawyers need to be paid, to the tune of $38.5 million. And what further stinks up this contrived groups of lawyers is the fact that most of them are politically tied to Caldwell.
It's time for the State of Louisiana to do better for an Attorney General. This type of "good-old boy" behavior from the last 50 years needs to go and the likes of the RINO Caldwell representing the legal interests of the state is laughable.
Read more: Attorney General's office has paid more than $38 million to law firms working on BP settlement
Vitter Campaign Refute Recent Polling Numbers
In an email over the past weekend, David Vitter's campaign refuted recent polling numbers released by Verne Kennedy regarding the pending Governor's race here in Louisiana. In that poll, Kennedy asserts that Vitter's lead in the race has been shrinking.
Three points were made in the email and they are as follows:
“1) Verne Kennedy’s polls are from a different planet.
In our last race, Kennedy had a guy named Chet Traylor almost even with David in the GOP primary at 46-34 percent. David beat him by 80 points: 88 – 7!!! Kennedy’s poll was wrong by more than 40 points.
In Rep. Cedric Richmond’s (D-New Orleans) most recent competitive race, Verne Kennedy had Rep. Joseph Cao (R-New Orleans) beating him 51-26 in the 2nd Congressional District. Richmond won 65-33. Kennedy was wrong again by 40 points.
In the 2010 New Orleans Mayor’s race, Verne Kennedy had Mitch Landrieu vulnerable, only getting 37 percent. Landrieu ended up beating his opponents with 66 percent. Kennedy was off by more than 30 points in this race.
2) Verne Kennedy has polled our gubernatorial race three times – May, June and July. In between the May and June poll, Scott Angelle spent more than a half million dollars on TV commercials. According to Kennedy’s polling, from May to June, Scott Angelle dropped 3 points during this period, from 18% to 15%. Between Verne’s June and July survey, Angelle only spent a fraction of what he previously spent, yet his numbers magically increased by a whopping 10 points, from 15% to 25%. Confused? We are too.
3) Two independent polls came out at the same time showing David Vitter ahead of the two other Republicans in the race by 20 points or more. Those two polls not only track with our numbers, they are consistent with all other public polling.”
Needless say, there are two more months left in this race, so things are really going to start heating up.
Is Jay Dardenne's Criticism of Bobby Jindal's Use of State Police Hypocritical???
Photo source: Twitter
Louisiana Lt. Governor and candidate for the office of Governor in this fall's election, Jay Dardenne, has come out hard against the current officeholder, Bobby Jindal, for his use of Louisiana State Police during his campaign for President. A piece written by NOLA goes into great detail regarding this issue and Dardenne's criticism of this practice. However, videos have recently come out that show Dardenne utilizing the same agency during his campaign for the Governor's office.
And, another video shows that Dardenne readily admits that he utilizes the State Police in political events.
Could this be a mere oversight on the part of Dardenne or could this be a case of blatant hypocrisy? You be the judge.
LAGOP Endorses Landry While the Media Plays Gotcha
Last Tuesday, Congressman Jeff Landry received the endorsement of the LAGOP’s State Central Committee to be Louisiana’s next Attorney General. Roger Villere, the Chairman of the LAGOP, touted Jeff’s life-long Conservatism, his history of fighting for Louisiana values, and standing against the radical agenda of Obama Administration.
Flanked by his family and supports, Jeff outlined part of his platform and the qualities that make him the ideal candidate for Conservatives.
But obviously, the reporters in the room weren’t paying attention to the remarks that Villere or Landry made. Instead, they came with their own agenda and a story that they had already written in their minds. Their narrative basically goes that Buddy Caldwell is a centrist senior statesman and the far-right wackos of the LAGOP are too stupid to see how lucky they are to have Buddy.
The first question was about Buddy, so was the second and the third. On and on it went until it seemed as if there was a conspiracy among all the reporters in attendance to play gotcha until they got the answer they were after.
The media loves nothing more than seeing Republicans attack one another but neither the Chairman nor Congressman Landry gave in to their obvious ploy.
As Landry tried to move the conversation back to the reason everyone was gathered, they continued to push the narrative they were after with WAFB’s Chris Meriwether leading the charge. There was no attempt to even try to come off as objective reporters.
Landry touted his record of being honest, hard-working, and ethical. The media took this as an opportunity to accuse Landry of thereby saying Buddy wasn’t any of those things. Landry responds that he’s there to talk about himself and not Buddy and again they ask. The bias was obvious to all.
All the media cared about was their narrative that this endorsement was so unprecedented to the point of being scandalous. They couldn’t wrap their heads around the fact that Conservatives wouldn’t roll over and accept a RINO like Buddy as fait accompli.
True enough, the state party hasn’t endorsed a challenger to a Republican incumbent since 1991, but then again, one would be hard-pressed to find such a stark contrast between a legitimate challenger and a Republican incumbent, like the one that exist between Landry and Caldwell, since 1991.
This contrast was also obvious to all in the party and Dan Richey, a member of the state Republican Central Committee, essentially said as much. “Caldwell is a Republican by convenience only, he’s a tool of the plaintiff bar, he’s broken state law repeatedly in order to hook his friends up with lucrative contracts for legal services and all of his political friends are still Democrats.”
At a time when Louisiana values are constantly under assault and the Obama regime continually trampling over State’s rights, the media was more interested in getting Congressman Landry to describe the work ethics of his opponent. Those were the only specifics they cared about. Not the specifics that Landry raised about the bloated budget of Caldwell’s Attorney General’s office in contrast to Jeff who unilaterally streamlined his own Congressional budget to save the taxpayers’ money. Not the specifics of their own media reports outlining the pay to play scheme Buddy has put in place in the Attorney General’s office.
It was clear what the media was after, a nice sound bite. But Jeff stood firm and refused to play their gotcha game.
Vitter’s $5 Million Cash On Hand is More Than 3 Other Candidates Combined
For Immediate Release
Contact: Luke Bolar
July 28, 2015
504-779-3771
Vitter has $5 million to combined $3.6, not including independent organizations
METAIRIE, LA. – After the second quarter deadline David Vitter leads all candidates with $5 million to a combined $3.6 million for John Bel Edwards, Scott Angelle, and Jay Dardenne.
“We’re thrilled and humbled by the amount of support we’re continuing to receive from all across Louisiana,” Vitter said. “More than 70 percent of our donations are small dollar. Folks are responding to our bold, clear plan to lead.”
Vitter had more than 2,270 individual contributions this quarter, the majority from Louisiana. 70 percent of the donations were at $100 or less.
An organization supporting Vitter’s campaign, The Fund for Louisiana’s Future, reportedly has $4.3 million cash on hand and raised more than $1 million this quarter.
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LAGOP Endorses Jeff Landry for Attorney General
Photo source: LAGOP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 July 2015
Contact: Jason Doré
225-389-4495
The Republican Party of Louisiana, today, announced its official endorsement of Jeff Landry for Louisiana Attorney General.
“Jeff Landry is THE Republican in the Attorney General’s race,” Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere said. “The Republican Party of Louisiana and I encourage all conservatives in Louisiana to vote for Jeff Landry in October.”
Jeff Landry has not only been a strong supporter and leader in the Republican Party, but he’s also led the charge as a Republican his entire voting life. Representing Louisiana in Congress, Jeff was ranked the 4th most conservative member of the U.S. House of Representatives for standing up for our conservative values.
When President Obama tried to shut down Louisiana’s lifeline via his job-killing moratorium, Jeff Landry fought back through his drilling equals jobs effort - giving a powerful voice to Louisiana’s incredible workforce.
After Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid shoved Obamacare down the throats of Louisiana’s people and job creators, Jeff Landry battled back – voting to eliminate Obamacare and advance free-market solutions.
Working to reduce the unsustainable national debt, Jeff Landry saved hundreds of thousands of dollars from his Congressional budget and organized other members of Congress to do the same.
A lifelong sportsman as a fisherman and hunter and a member of the NRA and Ducks Unlimited, Jeff Landry has consistently stood up to defend our Second Amendment rights.
Jeff Landry is 100% pro-life and has tirelessly defended Louisiana values.
Jeff Landry is from a working-class family and served as a police officer and sheriff’s deputy. Jeff has fought crime and has always been a strong supporter of law enforcement.
Jeff Landry also served our nation in uniform - receiving commendations for his military service, both active duty and reserve, in the Louisiana National Guard.
As an attorney, Jeff Landry has successfully practiced law in courts throughout Louisiana.
“Jeff Landry’s record and actions speak truth to power,” said Chairman Villere. “Republicans in Louisiana recognize the need for a change in the Attorney General’s office; and we know Jeff Landry will lead the office with honesty, integrity, and conservative principles.”
It’s time for a real conservative and a true Republican as Attorney General. It’s time for Jeff Landry to serve as Louisiana’s Attorney General.
Jeff Landry: our Republican candidate for Attorney General.
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Donald Trump Joins Jeff Landry on Moon Griffon's Show
Photo source: YouTube
On Monday, Congressman Jeff Landry was guest host on Moon Griffon's Louisiana radio program. During the first hour of the show, Rep. Landry was able to interview front runner in the Republican race for President, Donald Trump. The interview ranged from the recent tragedy in Lafayette to the immigration issue that has become a staple of Trump's campaign.
Louisiana Delegation Leads House in Moment of Silence Honoring Lafayette Shooting Victims
Photo source: YouTube
The members of Louisiana's delegation led the House of Representives in a moment of silence in honor of the victims of Thursday's shooting at The Grande Theater in Lafayette today in Washington, DC.
Vitter Reports More Than $5 Million Cash On Hand For Final 3 Months
For Immediate Release
Contact: Luke Bolar
July 27, 2015
504-779-3771
Vitter raised more than $1.3 million this quarter
METAIRIE, LA. –David Vitter today filed his second quarter finance report with more than $5 million cash on hand going into the final three months of the Louisiana gubernatorial campaign. This quarter alone he raised more than $1.3 million. The financial reports for all candidates and political action committees are due today.
An organization supporting Vitter’s campaign, The Fund for Louisiana’s Future, reportedly has $4.3 million cash on hand and raised more than $1 million this quarter.
David Vitter is the only candidate with a bold, clear plan to build a brighter future for Louisiana. Vitter has been rolling out his plan chapter by chapter over the past several months. His plan is called “Together, Louisiana Strong: Our blueprint for building a brighter future.”
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Ted Nugent and Allen West Sworn in as Honorary Sheriff Deputies
During their visit to Lafayette this weekend, both former Congressman Allen West and rocker Ted Nugent were sworn in as honorary deputies of the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Department by Sheriff Louis Ackal.
Photo source: Facebook
Bobby Jindal Issues Executive Order Regarding Disturbing the Peace During Funerals
With the recent announcement by the Westboro Baptist "Church" on their decision to picket the funerals of the victims of Thursday's shootings at the Grand Theater in Lafayett, Gov. Bobby Jindal issued an executive order than bans disturbing the peace of these funerals. Per the order, the statement says as follows:
This Order is effective upon signature and shall remain in effect until forty-eight (48) hours past the burials of Mayci Breaux and Jillian Johnson, unless amended, modified, terminated or rescinded prior to that time.
A copy the the order is attached.
Statements Begin Pouring In Regarding Lafayette Theater Shooting
Louisiana leaders begin issuing statements on Twitter shortly after the shooting that took place in Lafayette, LA last night in The Grand Theater. Below are statements from Jeff Landry, candidate for Louisiana Attorney General, Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana gubernatorial candidate and John Fleming, Congressmen from Louisiana.
Additionally, the star of the movie that was being shown in the theater where this tragedy occurred, Amy Schumer, posted a tweet after this incident and offered condolences and prayers.
However, it didn't take longs for the lunatics on the left to begin to use this as a cause-celebrity and start pushing for their favorite agenda, gun control. The trolls usually come out shortly after an incident of this nature.
Now is not the to politicize this tragedy. And now is not the time for the federal government to intervene. We in Louisiana can take care of our own and we will get through this together.
