It now looks like Democratic House candidate Paul Carmouche, who trails Republican John Fleming by a bare margin of 356 votes in Saturday's election in Northern Louisiana, is unlikely to ask for a recount, seemingly solidifying the GOP's hold on this open Republican seat.
When asked if Carmouche will concede if the certified totals end up being about where they are now, campaign spokesman Bert Kaufman told us: "Yeah I believe so, we're just waiting for the certification process to play out," later adding, "It's a very narrow margin, we just want to make sure that everything is counted and counted properly."
The vast majority of the votes here were cast on electronic machines, leaving only the mail-in votes and provisional ballots to be done with paper. And as we reported earlier, there are only about 50 provisional ballots left to sort through, which seem unlikely to shift the numbers very much. By state law, certification will be finished by Thursday at the latest.
It looks like the GOP will hang on to a key House seat, after all. There were some doubts surrounding GOP candidate John Fleming's 356-vote lead over Dem Paul Carmouche in Saturday's election in Northern Louisiana, because of an unknown number of outstanding provisional ballots and the slimness of the overall margin.
But a Louisiana election official tells us that the numbers aren't really in doubt. "I'll tell you that we're confident in the results," said Jacques Berry, press secretary for the Louisiana Secretary of State, in a phone call with Election Central, explaining to us that there are only about 50 provisionals left.
Berry told us that if Carmouche does not concede and instead files for a recount, he would have to cover all the costs. Louisiana does not provide for a state-paid recount, unless the candidate can get a judge to order one for some particular reason.
Carmouche spokesperson Bert Kaufman indicated in an e-mail to Election Central that the campaign is taking a wait-and-see approach: "At this point, we await the counting of those provisional ballots, which, as far as I know, is scheduled to take place tomorrow afternoon."
But for now, put this seat in the Republican column.
Obama: Economy "Going To Get Worse Before It Gets Better"
In his new interview on Meet The Press, Barack Obama laid out a blunt assessment of the economy, declaring twice that, "The economy is going to get worse before it gets better." He also said he would support the proposed $15 billion loans to save the auto industry from bankruptcy during the lame-duck period, but with conditions for the companies to make changes.
Obama Holding Press Conference, Announcing Shinseki For Veterans Affairs
Barack Obama is holding a 2 p.m. ET press conference in Chicago, at which he will announce his pick of retired Gen. Eric Shinseki -- who was famously ridiculed by the Bush Administration after he accurately predicted in early 2003 that many more troops would be needed for the Iraq War -- to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Obama confirmed the pick during his interview on Meet The Press.
RNC: We Can Still Win Elections
RNC chairman Mike Duncan released a statement last night trumpeting the GOP's victories in yesterday's House elections in Louisiana. "Coupled with the recent Senate win in Georgia, it's clear that Republicans still know how to win elections as we continue to build a solid foundation for the elections in 2010," said Duncan.
It's Official: David Gregory Is New Host Of Meet The Press
NBC News has officially announced that they've picked White House correspondent David Gregory to be the new host of Meet The Press. "I'm filled with a great sense of purpose as I join a superb team to cover Washington and the world from a treasured platform in our country," Gregory said in the press release. "Above all, I want to make Tim proud."
Report: Matthews Inks New Contract With MSNBC, Won't Run For Senate The Politicoreports that Chris Matthews has signed a new contract with MSNBC, set to be announced on Tuesday. If this proves to be true, then Matthews will not be running for U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania
Sebelius Withdraws Her Name From Consideration For Cabinet
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who endorsed Barack Obama in the run-up to Super Tuesday and helped deliver him a landslide win in her state's caucuses, has taken herself out of consideration for a cabinet post. Sebelius said she wanted to focus her time on solving Kansas' current fiscal crisis, but her decision has one other effect: It leaves her open and available for a possible run for Senate in 2010.
Obama's Speechwriter Favreau Caught In Facebook Antics
Barack Obama's top speechwriter Jon Favreau just got in a bit of trouble on Facebook, with photos posted that showed him apparently groping a life-size cardboard photo of Hillary Clinton at a house party. The reaction from a Clinton spokesperson: "Sen. Clinton is pleased to learn of Jon's obvious interest in the State Department, and is currently reviewing his application."
Obama Discusses Economic Recovery Program, Focusing On National Infrastructure
In his newest Presidential YouTube Address, Barack Obama discusses the recent news about job-losses and his own plan for economic recovery, which involves creating jobs through massive investments in infrastructure, ranging from roads to schools and government buildings, plus more access to broadband connectivity:
"When Congress reconvenes in January, I look forward to working with them to pass a plan immediately," Obama says. While a skeptic might think he's sticking too closely to the "one president at a time" rule by delaying the work with Congress until January, there is another important point to consider: The new Congress that will convene in January will have widely-expanded Democratic majorities, and thus be much more likely than the current Congress to pass something like this.
Obama Taping Meet The Press Interview
Barack Obama is taping an interview today with Tom Brokaw for Meet The Press, set to air tomorrow. Joe Biden is in Delaware, and has no public event scheduled.
Tonight: Two House Elections In Louisiana
Louisiana is holding two elections today for the House of Representatives. Rep. Bill Jefferson (D), who is currently under indictment for corruption charges, is expected to win re-election over Republican Joseph Cao in this solid-Dem district. The open seat of Rep. Jim McCrery (R) has a tight race between Republican John Fleming and Democrat Paul Carmouche. The polls close at 9 p.m. ET.
Reid To Keep Biden Out of Dem Caucus Meetings
Harry Reid will reportedly be barring Joe Biden from Senate Democratic caucus meetings, rather than allow him to continue to attend as the nominal presiding officer of the Senate. The move is intended to restore the system of checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches by undoing what had been a common practice for Dick Cheney and the Senate Republicans.
Obama Campaign's Next Question: What To Do With $29.3 Million The Hillreports that the Obama campaign has ended the race with $29.3 million left on hand, after all remaining bills are paid, and has a variety of options regarding what to do with it. The campaign could do any or all of the following: Save money for the 2012 re-election campaign; give it to national, state and local party committees; give some to individual candidates or PACs, subject to standard donation limits; spend it on issue advocacy; or give some to charity.
Obama Could Announce Veterans Affairs Pick Tomorrow.
Barack Obama is holding a press conference tomorrow in Chicago at 2 p.m. ET, officially billed as an event to honor veterans on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Reuters reports that Obama will also be announcing his pick for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Ted Kennedy Steps Down From Judiciary Committee To Focus On Health Care Policy
Ted Kennedy is leaving his long-held seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee in order to focus more of his time on health-care policy. Kennedy will have one full chairmanship with the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, plus one subcommittee chairmanship within the Armed Services Committee.
Wow. You really have to see this Republican attack ad -- it's one of the strangest negative spots we've ever seen. The spot, courtesy of the NRCC, attacks the Dem candidate in the Louisiana House election that's being held this Saturday by painting him as soft on drunk drivers -- with a vivid dramatization of a car wreck:
"Take Jimmy Ray White: Three prior drunk-driving offenses, but he's out on the street," the announcer says, as the road is speeding by the viewer. "Then White kills a teenager in a hit-and-run car accident."
Wow.
Democratic candidate Paul Carmouche, a district attorney and relatively conservative Dem, has been running close in the polls against right-wing GOP candidate John Fleming in the race for this open GOP-held seat. As with the Georgia Senate runoff, this is probably going to be a low-turnout affair in which the parties have to really get the voters' attention -- and if this ad doesn't get people's attention, nothing will.
Yet another House Republican is headed for the exits. Congressman Jim McCrery (R-LA), who helped shepherd the Bush tax cuts through the House in 2001, announced today that he is retiring after ten terms.
In his statement, McCrery acknowledged the GOP's minority status affected his decision — had they retained the majority, he would have become chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. "The chairmanship would have allowed me to play a leading role in addressing some of the biggest long-term problems facing our country," McCrery said.
The district is a Republican safe seat, going to President Bush with 59% of the vote in 2004, so the GOP will likely retain it unless the Dems can garner a lot of ticket splitting.
