Game Changers in North Carolina and Indiana

Posted by Robert Goidel | 05.07.2008 / 8:44 AM EDT

Hillary appears to be hanging on despite what can only be described as a crushing defeat in North Carolina. Her campaign had said it would be a “game changer.” Indeed it was. North Carolina looks to be the beginning of the end of the Clinton campaign. The only question now is when.
Clinton’s narrow win […]

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National Implications of the Democratic Victory in Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District

Posted by Robert Goidel | 05.04.2008 / 1:30 PM EDT

Statisticians warn about generalizing beyond the single case, but it is difficult to resist the temptation of drawing larger meaning from the special election held yesterday for U.S. Representative in Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District.
Democrat Don Cazayoux won a seat held by Republicans since 1974 against the better known - but more controversial - Republican […]

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Bush, McCain don’t excite Baton Rouge

Posted by Ed Pratt | 05.01.2008 / 12:18 AM EDT

It was supposed to be an exciting week for Baton Rouge Republicans.   President George W. Bush and the presumptive Republican nominee for president John McCain were coming to town.
But you know what they say about April. Comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb.
Bush swept in on April 22 to raise money for […]

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Obama-Wright, McCain-Bush, and Guilt by Association

Posted by Robert Goidel | 04.29.2008 / 3:24 PM EDT

Say this much about Reverend Wright, he certainly is enjoying the opportunity to join in Barack Obama’s national conversation about race.
And while his original comments may have been taken out of context, his unfiltered comments before the NAACP or the National Press Club are not any more palatable. The more he talks, […]

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A Divided Democratic Party and a Maverick John McCain

Posted by Robert Goidel | 04.26.2008 / 5:41 PM EDT

In the days since Pennsylvania, the most common refrain I have heard is a fatigue. Democrats are tired of the election that will not end, and they worry that a golden opportunity is slipping (has slipped?) away.  Could this election cycle – with a struggling economy and an unpopular war and president - really end […]

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Hillary can’t win in black community

Posted by Ed Pratt | 04.24.2008 / 1:56 AM EDT

Step back about two years. Hillary Clinton was waist-deep in support in the African-American community.  Hubby Bill was still carrying the title of the “first black president.” Well not literally, but you get the picture.
In those days, when Hillary Clinton came to the African-American community bands played, choirs sang and folks pledged their support.
Barack Obama was […]

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Barack Obama and the Candidate Who Wouldn’t Go Away

Posted by Robert Goidel | 04.22.2008 / 10:13 PM EDT

Barack Obama has to wonder what he has to do to make Hillary Clinton go away.
Hillary Clinton has to wonder why a victory is never a victory for her.  The New Hampshire victory reflected sympathy brought about tears. Pennsylvania is a victory in a larger race - pundits were quick to note - she […]

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The Obama Spin Machine and the Pennsylvania Debate

Posted by Robert Goidel | 04.19.2008 / 10:29 AM EDT

Reviews of the latest Democratic debate have expressed shock that the moderators, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopolous, did not stay focused on the issues that people care about and instead had the audacity to question Barack Obama repeatedly about his “bitter” comment, his associations with Reverend Wright and William Ayers, and his aversion to wearing […]

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Obama creates his own drama

Posted by Ed Pratt | 04.14.2008 / 11:27 PM EDT

Judging by how many people were spitting nails on the popular Baton Rouge conservative rant-and-holler radio show Monday afternoon, Barack Obama is in a heap of cow patties in my neck of the woods.

“I’m not bitter,” the caller said, professing his undying love for his rifle, shotgun and growing up in a small town. The […]

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The Reality and Politics of Immigration in Louisiana

Posted by Robert Goidel | 04.14.2008 / 9:25 AM EDT

Louisiana is losing population. The displacement of residents caused by Hurricane Katrina is widely known, but demographers, such as Elliot Stoncipher, note that Katrina only accelerated trends already in place. Younger Louisianans have been leaving the state for greater opportunities in other states and other regions for years. As a result, the state will almost […]

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Public Financing and the General Election

Posted by Robert Goidel | 04.11.2008 / 5:48 PM EDT

Is anyone else bothered by Barack Obama reneging on a promise to use public financing in the general election? (OK, he has not reneged yet, but he is clearly moving in that direction).
Obama’s fundraising has been nothing short of phenomenal and he would be ceding an incredible advantage in fundraising to John McCain if […]

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The Campaign in a Holding Pattern

Posted by Robert Goidel | 04.08.2008 / 9:46 AM EDT

To say that people have grown tired of the campaign would be far too negative. Nor would it be fair to say that they are apathetic. People care but locally the campaign has moved off center stage replaced by other stories and more pressing events. A new legislative session. The LSU Lady Tigers narrowly missing […]

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Lazy media-nistas need to focus on real issues

Posted by Ed Pratt | 04.01.2008 / 4:22 PM EDT

It was Women’s Day at my church Sunday. Women took over everything, from collecting the tithes and offerings to sitting in the big chair in the pulpit reserved for the pastor.
  My wife was the guest speaker and, to no one’s surprise, she did a great job talking about the strength and importance of women in […]

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What’s the Hurry?

Posted by Robert Goidel | 03.31.2008 / 10:27 AM EDT

Mounting pressure on Senator Hillary Clinton to drop out of the Democratic nomination fight is, at best, curious. If the Democratic Party wanted a quick decision, they would have nominated Clinton when early polls showed her with a 20 point lead over Obama. They would have also allowed Michigan and Florida to move their primaries […]

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Obama-Wright story falls flat in Baton Rouge

Posted by Ed Pratt | 03.25.2008 / 3:14 PM EDT

 If you’re looking for raw street-level commentary on race, sex, politics, religion or sports, Webb’s Barbershop in downtown Baton Rouge is the place to be.
Occasionally, the local media will drop by to ask barbers and patrons about the hot topic of the day.  Politicians running for office have Webb’s on their list of campaign stops.
Webb’s […]

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