Looks Like Katrina Wasn’t All Bad
Hurricane Katrina was a massive human tragedy and portrait of government ineptitude. It hurt (I believe, unfairly) President Bush’s job approval numbers and put a major strain on many neighboring communities. But, it may have an even more devastating affect on Louisiana Democrats.
An accurate answer may be a year away. Analysts say it’s too soon to determine if the Sept. 30 elections to fill unexpired terms for secretary of state and insurance commissioner are part of a larger Republican trend. Next year, all statewide posts, including governor, are up for grabs, along with the entire Legislature.
A recent survey conducted for the Louisiana Recovery Authority indicated fewer than 190,000 people live in New Orleans, less than half its pre-Katrina population. Many of the displaced are black voters, who have overwhelmingly voted for Democrats.
“The Democrats are severely challenged because those votes are missing,” said Elliott Stonecipher, a north Louisiana-based demographic and political analyst. “New Orleans blacks were an incredible treasure trove of votes for the party.”
If this trend continues, things won’t look good for Gov. Kathleen “Blank stare” Blanco and the Loiusiana legislature in 2007 or Sen. Landrieu in 2008. The whole article is well worth the read.
(Hat tip: Alexander K. McClure)
Posted by Falcon
October 13th, 2006 at 8:57 am
This makes me wonder, will those missing black votes manifest themselves in Texas, where a large portion of the New Orleans displaced have situated themselves?
I’d hate to see Texas go blue, as hard to imagine as that is.
October 13th, 2006 at 9:52 am
Not to worry,they will be counted and voted in LA, wherever they are, alive or dead.
October 13th, 2006 at 9:54 am
I would not worry about it. They have to show up to vote in Texas.
October 13th, 2006 at 10:02 am
Rory,
I live in Texas and we have our liberal pockets (Dallas and Austin come to mind) but not enough to offset the conservatives who live here.
People in Texas have a different mindset. We are huge believers in individual liberty and conservative principles. Even Democrats here aren’t as liberal as, say, California or Arizona Dems. If they were, there’s no way they’d win (or keep) statewide offices.
We’ll be fine here. In fact, I fully expect Gov. Rick Perry to win reelection next month eventhough there are 3 other candidates running against him.
October 13th, 2006 at 10:05 am
Rory, Falcon. Go out on the street where you live and ask who the Dim is in the gubernatoral election. I’ll bet 7 out of 10 do not know his name.
That is how far the dims have slipped here. They will be the third party in this election.
October 13th, 2006 at 10:11 am
RP – the answer (in the TX gov. race) is Chris Bell. But that’s only ‘cuz I pay attention.
You’re right, most people here don’t have a clue who the Democrat is. They think the only people running are Gov. Perry, “Granma” Staryhorn, and Kinky Friedman. Sad, but good for our side.
As for the Florida gov. race, I have NO CLUE who the Dem is but I do know the Republican is Charlie Crist. Well, Rory, what say you?
October 13th, 2006 at 10:19 am
My neighbor said it was Richard Ball. Close!!
October 13th, 2006 at 10:53 am
My daughter was born in Texan, and true to form has more personality than the law allows – a common trait for Texans. The only dems left in Texas are the Burketts, and that lonely DA prosecuting DeLay, oh yeah and those men of valor who ran away to avoid votes on redistricting that a judge had to order to return. LOL.
Anyone in LA who re-elects Blank-O to the gov of LA needs to be horsewhipped. It’s one thing to have casual disregard for your own safety, but indecent to imperil your neighbors – and ignorance is no excuse. A vote for her is a vote for the next disaster to be worse.
October 13th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Blanco came across as the most incompetent Governor I’ve ever seen. She looked like a deer in the headlights and didn’t know what to do to save her people from destruction. If they vote for her again after re-electing Nagin there’s no hope for that state.
October 14th, 2006 at 12:33 am
Blanco & Landrieu will be easily defeated for re-election. Bobby Jindal will likely take out Blanco in ‘07, and the Republican nominee in ‘08 will beat Landrieu without any problem. Landrieu only got in in 1996 due to vote fraud in the first place.