Dem-Turned-GOPer Kennedy To Challenge Landrieu
The Republicans are reportedly set to have their first Senate candidate with a realistic shot of picking off a Democratic incumbent. Political Wire reports that Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy (R) will announce his campaign against Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu early next year, and has already been soliciting campaign contributions. Kennedy used to be a Democrat, and ran for Senate as a Dem in 2004, but was recruited by Karl Rove to switch parties and run against Landrieu.
Landrieu is probably the single most endangered Democratic Senate incumbent, as she represents a Deep South state that has been trending more and more Republican — a situation that was exacerbated by the flight of many poor African-Americans after Hurricane Katrina. On the other hand, her vocal advocacy for Katrina victims might be able to endear her to the remainder of the electorate.
Late Update: Kennedy has updated his Web site, confirming the news.
Comments (9)
Liberal Larry wrote on November 29, 2007 2:52 PM:Landrieu is on her own. She perenially screws the grassroots of her own party; so don't expect the grassroots to lift a finger for Miss republican-lite.
Bob Novak wrote an article about how happy the GOP was that Louisiana was trending Republican due to the exodus of Katrina refugees (although no one would admit it for attribution).
Yet everyone is shocked, shocked that more hasn't been done for New Orleans.
Kanye was right. Media, any interest in this story?
Daniel wrote on November 29, 2007 3:41 PM:Louisiana is showing some very mixed signals: Jindal and Mitch Landrieu both won in October, and Democrats kept the state Senate despite having some heavy losses.
Campaign Diaries's Senate Rankings have Louisiana as a toss-up, ranked number 5... It is hard to know where it is going for now.
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If the Repugnants pick off Landrieu, and the Dems win the White House, then Louisiana gets what it has coming. I just hate that New Orleans gets screwed. On the other hand, if the Repugnants sweep in 2008 then suddenly New Oleans is back on the map (in a gentrified sorta way). Hey, it could happen!
Paul Leonard wrote on November 29, 2007 5:16 PM:Having your domain name resolve to a GeoCities page shows a certain lack of seriousness or competency...
Jay wrote on November 29, 2007 9:33 PM:@Larry: Sen. Landrieu's most important vote is for leadership. She votes correctly on that every time.
That said, there are too many opportunities for pickups elsewhere for anyone but the DSCC ('where preserving incumbents is job #1') to focus on this race.
I lived in NOLA for years and even did a little work for the Landrieu family, so I *can* say that her tenure and powerful family will keep a lot of in-state and to a small extent regional money coming her way. Backers like Calvin Fayard haven't helped her get seniority for nothing.
The problem she faces is that the RNSC is clawing up a wall in '08 and will dump money into any potentially weak Democratic race (LA, SD, AR).
Like the Tom Reynolds RNCC troubles of '06, I think that if Mitch McConnell stays in the clear (say 55% approval after these ad buys) from March onward, they'll have enough to drown out her incumbency.
I expect John Breaux and Chris John to travel around LA stumping for Mary; that's the best hope to neutralize Gov.-Elect Jindal, who brings surprising clout to Lousiana Republicans. But he doesn't speak French. This race is won or lost in western Louisiana ranch country. Ca va?
DemAC wrote on November 29, 2007 11:42 PM:Thank you Jay for this informative posting on LA!
And I too would like to point out to Liberal Larry at 2:52 PM that the LA grassroots will hardly be better served by a GOPer.
Liberal Larry wrote on November 30, 2007 1:16 AM:Real Democrats hate corruption more than they hate any republican.
