Joseph Cao is running for Congress against Bill Jefferson. I like what I’m hearing. In fact, I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription… is more Cao bell. Never question the Weathers Report. 1, 2, 3, 4.
Don’t Be a Redneck: Vote for Bobby Jindal Tuesday, Oct 16 2007
Endorsements 10:44 pm
Many attribute Bobby Jindal’s loss in the 2003 governor’s race to his poor showing in normally conservative north Louisiana. Jindal’s more liberal opponent fared better in that area, arguably because many were uncomfortable voting for a person not of the caucasian persuasion. It sounds like a Jeff Foxworthy joke: If you vote based solely on skin color, you might be a redneck. Not that Jindal’s opponent in the 2003 race was unqualified; after all she had been the state’s lieutentant governor. It just turns out she was petty, overwhelmed and incompetent when we needed her the most.
Four years later, we have a second chance to make it right. Jindal’s brilliance, confidence, and tenacity will make him an excellent governor. Yes, his hoakey campaign has centered on his mushy feelings. But we already know he’s a policy wonk. He’s just dying to ruminate on health care, education, and the economy, and will do so as soon as his advisers cut him loose. He’s running like the incumbent he really should be right now, and that’s fine. Now he’ll have until 2015 to turn things around. Unless he runs for President between now and then. And that would be fine, too.
Don’t be a redneck. Vote for Bobby Jindal, Governor.
Steve Scalise for Senator Sunday, Oct 14 2007
Endorsements 9:39 am
The Weathers Report endorses Steve Scalise for State Senator. Take a look at his terrific television advertisement, especially the final scene. It features a strikingly good looking supporter on his left.
Why vote for Steve Scalise? Won’t he just run for Congress if (when) Bobby Jindal takes over as governor?
Because he’s made our streets safer and protected our Second Amendment rights. He’s fought to cut wasteful spending and pushed for ethics reform. He made Louisiana more business friendly and voted against every tax increase. He’s co-authored legislation to make insurance more affordable. Some politicians offer empty rhetoric. Steve Scalise’s record of reform does the talking. Uniquely qualifed. Tested. Proven. Steve Scalise, Senator.
Troy Carter for Congress Monday, Nov 6 2006
Endorsements 10:37 pm
In the Congressional race for Louisiana’s Second District, which is a safe Democratic seat that covers much of New Orleans and parts of Jefferson Parish, former state representative and city councilman Troy Carter is the best candidate to defeat and replace the soon-to-indicted Bill Jefferson. A hard worker with no alphabet soup baggage (BOLD, LIFE, SOUL, etc.) , Carter is a smart and experienced politician and entrepreneur. Endorsed by the likes of Arnold Fielkow and Harry Lee, he will fight on the issues important to the city, like flood protection and offshore oil royalties. He will be a safe Democratic vote on social issues and will work with Republicans on economic issues. And he gets bonus points for his having a beautiful wife (former news anchor Melanie Saunders) and cute kids.
Forget the conventional wisdom that he can’t win – two independent polls a couple of weeks ago had him running second – and that state representative Karen Carter will make the runoff with Jefferson. Although Rep. Carter has the support of the state Democratic party and even a few Republicans, and whatever is left of the BOLD political machine, she was horrible in the debates and has taken some serious shots for her ties to a law firm that advises the City Council on utility regulation pursuant to a no-bid contract. Like most politicians in this town, her father was also a politician – one of the seven assessors – which is reason enough to be wary.
The other challenger with a decent shot is state senator and anti-butt crack crusader Derrick Shepard. He has lined up the support of a bunch of Jefferson Parish politicians and has a “Marrero Machine” that could get cranked up and put him in the runoff. But until he can show us he’s got some Uptown cred – like campaigning on the corner of Napolean and St. Charles for starters – we’ll stay away for now.
On the Republican side, lawyer Joe Lavigne did a good job raising money and was in a position to make some waves, but he make a devastating rookie mistake with a ridiculous radio ad ripping President Bush on Iraq and Katrina. Although he earned points with people who would never vote for him (like Your Right Hand Thief), he alienated his base and left all but the most faithful GOPers scrambling for a candidate that can actually beat Dollar Bill.
Speaking of Dollar Bill, we’re still waiting for the honorable explanation as to why he had $90,000 in his freezer and why people are telling judges they bribed him and are going to jail. It really is a shame the guy is evidently such a thief, because he is a skilled and talented legislator (from Uptown) who would work with Republicans and used to have considerable influence on the Hill, before soon-to-be Speaker Pelosi booted him off Ways and Means.
If New Orleanians do the right thing, Jefferson will be a lame duck around this time tomorrow night, and the feds, who are either painfully slow or are, more likely, waiting for the election to run its course before bringing an indictment, can move in and do their thing.
A prediction for this the last non-partisan open primary for a Congressional race in Louisiana? (The state is moving to the more traditional closed party primary in two years.) Both Carters make the runoff. Jefferson third, Shepard fourth, Lavigne fifth. TC goes to DC in Dec.
Vote Yes for Amendment #7 Friday, Nov 3 2006
Endorsements 11:41 am
In April 2004, long before before Hurricane Katrina was even a tropical wave, the Times-Picayune ran an excellent series on the waste and corruption of Orleans Parish’s unique system of having seven elected tax assessors. An excerpt:
For example, former Saints quarterback Archie Manning has contributed $1,250 to the campaign of 4th District Assessor Betty Jefferson since 1998 and also gave to her predecessor, Ronnie Burke. Manning has lived for 22 years in a galleried Greek Revival mansion in the Garden District, where he and his wife raised three sons, including NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning. Archie Manning paid $450,000 for the home in 1982, but 16 years later, Burke valued it at $285,000 — saving Manning almost $3,000 a year in taxes.
Although Garden District property has appreciated dramatically in recent years, Manning’s assessment has risen at a gentler pace. Jefferson bumped it up four years ago to $331,200. This year, she nudged it up another 9 percent. Jefferson still puts the value at 20 percent less than what Manning paid for it.
Manning did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Jefferson said the suggestion that donations influence assessments is ludicrous.
“Are you kidding? No, donations do not play a part,” she said. “They have nothing to do with assessments, absolutely nothing.”
A response to the comments of the Honorable Betty Jefferson (the sister of the guy who had $90,000 in his freezer) is best made in video form:
With the help of Louisiana Legislature and yes, our governor, we finally have a chance to amend the Louisiana Constitution and fix this ridiculous situation. Every dollar horded by the Archie Mannings of New Orleans, either through political influence, assessor incompetence or just plain dumb luck, is a dollar that could fix a school or pay a cop. (Curiously, unlike most other residents, Archie Manning’s 2007 assessment cannot be found on the assessors’ website.)
On Tuesday, Louisiana voters will vote on whether to consolidate the seven fiefdoms into one. As the amendment primarily affects Orleans Parish, it must pass both statewide and in Orleans Parish. The Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans makes the following points in favor of the amendment:
- The current system is unfair to taxpayers, home buyers, and those rebuilding homes, and costly and wasteful in a time of fiscal crisis for the city.
- The establishment of an objective, fair system utilizing best practices will be efficient and cost effective, and will create a favorable climate for investment and business, resulting in an increase of revenues for the city and improved city services
- State law requires uniformity for property assessments. There will be a city wide reassessment mandated by the La. Tax Commission.
- All other parishes and large cities across America have only one assessor.
- It is easier to hold one assessor accountable. Why pay 7 to do the job of 1?
- The job of assessor should not be political; it is simply to determine fair market value.
- The amendment will reduce favoritism for a few. With an objective system, there is no need for cozy relationships or deals for some and not others.
We agree. The best argument against consolidation we’ve heard comes from a Couhig Republican in Algiers, who worries that with a parish-wide election we’ll just get another Marlin Gusman-type hack who’ll favor his friends anyway. But we’ll take that chance and deal with that kind of problem if it comes up. The only bad thing about the amendment is that it does not take effect until 2010.
This assessor mess has been a pet issue for The Weathers Report, which even registered www.oneassessor.com as an addon website domain nearly a year ago. It’s now time to finish the job. Vote Yes on Amendment #7.
The Weathers Report 