A wild political year is ahead
We are ready to leap into what promises to be one of the most interesting political years in Pelican State history.
Early on – in the month of January – before the politics of 2014 really begin, we should learn whether Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter will run for governor in 2015. At least that’s what he promised, and Republicans and Democrats alike are anxiously awaiting that revelation.
We should also find out if former two-term Democratic Shreveport Mayor Keith Hightower will attempt to move back into the mayor’s office at City Hall. He, too, has promised to clue us in on his political plans this month.
With that said, most political eyes are on the U.S. Senate race where Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is seeking a fourth six-year term.
As of now, her major opponent is Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy of Baton Rouge. Also pursuing the coveted post is Republican Rob Maness of Madisonville, a favorite of the conservative right and Tea Party. And Republican state Rep. Paul Hollis of Covington seems poised to enter what will undoubtedly be an expensive and nasty political war.
In recent weeks, some of the local media – print and broadcast – have been unfairly putting forth negative stories and letters to the editor about Landrieu without any balance for her side. So the question is, will the media and Louisiana voters let partisan politics negate the powerful positions the senior senator has in the Senate, which are so beneficial to the state as a whole?
To me, what is bigger news than 600 people on social media saying they are going to vote against Landrieu for various reasons – as one local TV station reported – is the fact Landrieu is in line to become chair of the Senate Energy Committee. Remember when former U.S. Sen. J. Bennett Johnston had that position? That clout would be huge for Louisiana.
Take it from someone who has worked on Capitol Hill, seniority is the name of the game in the Upper Chamber.
Here’s my thinking. If the state has an opportunity to have that kind of power in the Senate, I would vote for that person regardless of what letter – an R or a D – is behind his or her name. I still cannot wrap around my head why people are one-issue voters or vote the party line, whether it be Republicans or Democrats, instead of showing some intelligence and voting for the person who can do the most for the people of the state. With her powerful positions, she will be able to protect Barksdale and Fort Polk when the next round of base closings occur. Can you imagine our area without Barksdale?
Back at the local level, the Shreveport mayor’s race will take center stage. Mayor Cedric Glover is term-limited and cannot seek a third term. Also of note is the race in City Council District B, which is represented by Jeff Everson, a white Democrat. The district, after reapportionment, is majority-black, and a win by a black candidate would give Shreveport its first majority-black city council in history. There are two term-limited council members – Joe Shyne and Ron Webb – so at least two new faces will be on the next council.
Also on the ballot in November will be the races for the U.S. House, Public Service Commissioner, District Attorney, Coroner, School Board, and judicial races for City Courts, District Courts, and the Louisiana Supreme Court.
I will have more on these races in future columns. If you are wondering about Caddo Commission and Police Jury elections, they will take place in 2015, along with statewide and state legislative offices.
Finally, I can’t let pass the controversy surrounding comments made by Phil Robertson of West Monroe, “Duck Dynasty” star. Let me say up front that I do not watch the show.
His crude and offensive comments about gays and lesbians in an article in GQ magazine certainly put an exclamation point to that thinking by others around the country.
In addition, he basically insinuated that African-Americans were better off before the civil rights movement.
It was disappointing to see Gov. Bobby Jindal and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and other public officials come to Robertson’s defense.
Yes, he has the right to free speech, but it is unfortunate he does not have enough intelligence and couth to understand his comments were inappropriate in this day and age.
If that is what constitutes a devout Christian, as he proclaims to be, count me out.
Lou Gehrig Burnett, an award-winning journalist, has been involved with politics for 44 years and was a congressional aide in Washington, D.C., for 27 years. He also served as executive assistant to former Shreveport Mayor Bo Williams. Burnett is the publisher of the weekly “FaxNet Update” and can be reached at 861-0552 or louburnett@comcast.net.
