Late last week, after we learned that Harlan had closed a 53 point gap to 11 points, the National Republican Congressional Committee hid the news that their Chairman, Tom Cole (R-Ok), would be making a visit to stump with the Mistake by the Lake, er, Steve Scalise, in this competitive district.
Now we find out from Mr. Cole's spinmeister, Brendan Buck, that Cole is coming to Louisiana primarily because of the LA-06 race because "that race is tight." But the fact remains that Cole is making a visit to shore up Scalise's support.
I finally find the Scalise campaign response to the Harlan poll ... in LaPolitics Weekly, a subscription-only newsletter written by Republican apologist John Maginnis. Scalise spokesman Jason Hebert doesn't even respond to the poll's findings, but rather goes on the attack:
"I think this poll lacks credibility because Jim Harlan, a Barack Obama delegate, already lied about Steve Scalise's record and his background in a desperate attempt to fool voters and give Barack Obama another supporter in Congress."
Nice to know that the Scalise campaign has already ceded the Presidency to Barack Obama! If the Scalise campaign had the money to conduct a poll, they would have released contrary findings by now. Since they haven't done so, coupled with the fact that the spokesman just gave us spin when asked about the poll, means they know the race is "competitive."
So, if you've got time over the next five weeks, go to the Harlan campaign website, and sign up to volunteer!
[UPDATE]: Edited to indicate which groups are Republican Party operatives. Also added Cazayoux press release.
Well, we've seen some race-baiting and outright lies by Republican Party operatives - NRCC and Freedoms Watch - over the last two days. I guess they thought that since Don is a Democrat, he would shrivel up into the fetal position, and whine. Think again. It's not 2004 any more ... it's 2008. Democrats today stand up and fight what we all know is right:
Help keep this ad on the air right up until Election Day (May 3rd) by donating here.
The Cazayoux campaign just put out a press release highlighting the ethical lapses of two more folks that are airing negative attack ads against Don (emphasis mine):
Wealthy construction company owner Lane Grigsby also released an ad this week, attacking Cazayoux. Like Republican Woody Jenkins, Grigsby has a background of ethical compliants, including allegedly colluding with a candidate to make an attack ad that "viciously and personally attacked" the candidate's opponent and hiding his company's interest in state contracts to build hurricane shelters.
One more outside interest group, the Club for Growth, began airing ads today lying about Cazayoux's record of middle class tax relief. The Club for Growth is one of the largest and most well known groups advocating extreme and radical tax policies; in 2006, spent $7.4 million to defeat candidates that stand up for middle class tax relief. In October 2007, the Ohio Ethics Commission rebuked the Club for making false statements about one of their targets and in January of 2008 the Club was hit with an FEC complaint for illegally coordinating with a campaign.
So I have been given a copy of the new ad that Woody is going to airing all over the district at some point in the next few days, if it's not already up. The title is an apt question, as Governor PBJ only appears in a picture that is also on Woody's website. Pray tell, why wouldn't the Governor personally appear in the ad of a "strong conservative" like Woody?
Answer: The Governor knows that Woody's gonna lose, and he doesn't want to tie himself to a sinking ship.
On another note, the Louisiana GOP is getting VERY nervous about this race. The Business Report tells us:
Baton Rouge contractor Lane Grigsby, who has made third-party expenditures before, says he will launch a media campaign next week to defeat congressional candidate Don Cazayoux. Grigsby's reason is "where he gets his money from," referring to national labor unions that have given to the Democrat. The ads will be produced by consultant George Kennedy. The Cazayoux campaign released an internal poll this week showing him leading Republican Woody Jenkins, 49% to 42%.
Oh, poor Lane Grigsby, he's gittin' scared of some people-power. Donate to Don ... the NRCC may be dark, but Freedoms Watch and now, Lane Grigsby are picking up the slack. This thing is going to be a FIGHT.
The Cazayoux campaign is releasing this web-only video about the race today:
It's also on their website. Don's candidacy has sparked a fire amongst the unions here in LA-06. While they've worked with political candidates before, I've never seen them this excited about a candidate. If you like the idea of adding to the Democratic majority in the House with someone who will be there with us on the economic issues we all care about, then donate.
I also had the opportunity to interview Don. I asked 10 questions, some of which came from calls I made for questions from commenters at Daily Kos, MyDD, and Daily Kingfish.
Let's get started!
1. What's your background - where did you grow up, go to school, law school, etc? I grew up and have spent most of my life in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District. I grew up in New Roads, Louisiana - a small town founded in the 18th century that's famous for hosting the oldest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans. After graduating from high school in New Roads, I headed down the road to Baton Rouge to earn my BA and a Master's in Psychology from LSU. I earned my law degree from Georgetown in 1991.
As a prosecutor, I never lost a jury trial and put hundreds of criminals behind bars. I prosecuted violent, petty and white collar criminals alike. I always stood up for the little guy. I even beat an insurance company in court when they refused to pay hospital bills for seniors.
I was first elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1999 and was one of the only freshmen appointed to the appropriations committee. In the legislature, I passed an increase in teacher pay, expanded early childhood education to include all at risk 4 year olds, and made historic investments in Louisiana's roads. I also passed tough ethics legislation that curbs the influence of lobbyists on the political process.
2. Okay, let's get into the issues: First, there is a bill in the State Legislature, I'm not sure of the Bill #, but it will shorten the hours that the polls are open in Louisiana on Election Days. Are you for that or against it? (Hat Tip to wojeaux at Daily Kingfish)
I believe that voting is a right of citizenship and we should protect it. There are lots of middle class people in Louisiana who work long or
irregular hours and we should make sure that they have an opportunity to vote - that's why I will not support efforts to shorten voting hours. In
Congress, I will support legislation that both protects the integrity of our elections and ensures that eligible citizens have an opportunity to participate.
3. What is your stance on the current proposal for an I-10 loop around the Baton Rouge Metro area? If you are not sold on it, what alternatives are you prepared to put forward, if any? Traffic isn't just a nuisance - it also impacts our economy and our quality of life. The more time we spend in traffic, the less time we spend being productive and that's not good for the economy. It also means less time that we can be spend enjoying our kids, our parents and our grandparents. I support the I-10 loop because it'll reduce
congestion and make it easier for Louisianans to reach their destinations.
4. What is your position on wetlands loss in coastal Louisiana? Are you willing to step forward and LEAD on this issue, even if it means explaining that we need to spend a LOT of money, given that we face a potential catastrophe if the wetlands loss continues at its current pace? Do you have any specific policy ideas on this issue? (Hat Tip to darkhat at Daily Kos)
For many Louisianans, conserving our wetlands is about preserving our quality of life. Louisiana's vast wetlands are a place where Louisianans have fished, hunted, trapped and lived for generations and we need to conserve this precious resource so that our children and their children can enjoy it. Our wetlands have also served as an important buffer against catastrophic hurricanes and that's yet another reason why it's important to protect them.
There's no denying that we're losing wetlands. Our state has lost 1,500 square miles of wetlands since the 1930s and we're projected to lose up to 500 square miles more by 2050, if we don't act. In the Louisiana legislature, I coauthored legislation that allows certain federal revenues generated from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas activity to be credited to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund. And, in Congress, I'll continue the fight to stop the loss of wetlands.
The key to replenishing our wetlands is effectively managing the Mississippi River. We need to ensure that freshwater and sediments
remain in the wetlands to bolster marshes and barrier islands instead of losing resources to the Gulf of Mexico. This necessary reform costs
money and I will work to ensure that an effective and cost efficient wetlands management plan is in place and that Louisiana gets its fair share from the federal government for wetlands renewal.
5. There are some progressive folks who are very disappointed in the language on your website about illegal immigration, as you are against amnesty. The policy that presidential candidate Barack Obama has advocated is to allow illegal immigrants who are in good standing (which I believe means if they were attempting to come in legally, they would not be barred from admittance under our immigration laws) to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens, which is essentially the same stance that Hillary Clinton has on this issue. Do you agree with them? If no, where do you differ? (Hat Tip to populista at Daily Kos)
I think everyone would agree that our immigration system is broken and we need to fix it. I also think that most Louisianans agree with me that
amnesty is not the answer. Unfortunately, too many in Washington prefer gridlock and, as a result, nothing gets done. When dealing with illegal
immigration, I believe that the first step is to pass laws that will both secure our border and crack down on corporations that knowingly
hire illegal immigrants.
6. Where do you stand on free trade agreements like CAFTA, NAFTA, and the current trade bill in limbo in Congress - the Colombian Free Trade Agreement? (Hat Tip to populista at Daily Kos) I support fair trade agreements that raise labor standards for all workers - both here in the United States and abroad - while ensuring
that American businesses remain competitive. I will vote to close tax loopholes that reward companies for moving our jobs overseas. I oppose
the Colombian Free Trade Agreement in its current form and believe that we need to renegotiate CAFTA and NAFTA to include more protections for
our workers.
7. Do you believe that we need to invade Iran, like some Republicans are proposing? (Hat tip to andydupre at Daily Kingfish)
The current Iranian regime represents an extremist political ideology and is unpopular even in Iran. I believe that we must continue to put pressure on the current regime and simultaneously embolden Iranian moderates to bring about reform. At this moment, I am deeply concerned with their sponsorship of terrorist activities and while I believe that the military option should be the last option, I believe it's unwise to take any option off the table.
I also believe that we must refocus our resources on combating al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.
8. If elected, would you keep the child tax credits and the lower tax brackets that help working class Americans? Would you vote to return the tax rate for the wealthiest 1% of Americans back to where it was under President Bill Clinton? I am a strong supporter of fiscally responsible tax cuts for middle class families. In the Louisiana legislature, I voted for millions in
tax cuts for middle class families including an increase in the child tax credit. And, in Congress I will continue to support sensible tax relief for small businesses and middle class families.
I am a real fiscal conservative and I believe that spending in Washington is out of control. Our deficit and national debt is unsustainable and it would be irresponsible to burden our children with
our debts. As such, I believe in a balanced budget and I support pay-go policies that will reign in spending and make our government fiscally
responsible.
I also believe that corporations and the wealthiest 1% should pay their fair share. That's why I want to crack down on tax loopholes and
offshore bank accounts that some use to cheat our tax system.
9. On health care, you have stated that you would have voted for SCHIP, which would have expanded the program to allow 80,000 more of Louisiana's children access to health care. You want to reform the prescription drug plan for seniors - Medicare Part D. How do you propose lowering the costs of health care?
I think President Bush's veto of the expansion of SCHIP was wrong for Louisiana families and I will vote to expand SCHIP so that children in middle class families can obtain health care coverage.
On Medicare Part D, I believe that we need to eliminate the donut hole coverage gap and make sure that our seniors have access to the prescription drugs they need to live healthy and happy lives. In terms of controlling costs, I support allowing Medicare to negotiate with
pharmaceutical companies to bring down the high cost of prescription drugs and save seniors and taxpayers money.
Health care costs are out of control. One way to lower costs is by leveraging technology to make our health care system more efficient. Even
polar political opposites - Newt Gingrich and Hillary Clinton - agreed on this point. Eliminating bureaucracy and improving the flow of health care information will help reduce costs for consumers. Another way to lower health costs is by making preventative treatments more widely
available. Preventative medicine and early detection can save individuals - and our health care system - huge sums of money.
Our health care system is too costly and doesn't help enough people. One major problem we face is that those who don't have health care use the
costliest form - the emergency room. Increasing access to quality, affordable health care will drive down the cost of premiums for everyone.
10. Republicans like to make a big show of how they are the better supporters of our troops and veterans. Yet every time a proposal to fully fund the VA, or to make it a non-discretionary item of the federal budget is before the Congress, Republicans have overwhelmingly voted no. Would you vote to make VA funding non-discretionary?
I am a strong supporter of our troops and our veterans and I believe we have a fundamental obligation to make sure that the brave men and women who served in uniform have access to the health care they need and have access to programs that will help transition them back to civilian life.
As for the VA funding issue, I will carefully review each budget and ensure that the VA has the funding it needs and that the money is getting to our veterans that need it - and it's not being wasted on unnecessary bureaucracy. As for the non-discretionary funding question, I would like more time to study proposed and past VA budgets before I take a position on non-discretionary funding.
I've got to say, Don was quite impressive. He's easily one of the more thoughtful candidates I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Also, this race is heating up. The Republicans have turned to a shadowy issue advocacy group run by former RNCC operatives called Freedoms Watch to get their message out, as the NRCC is strapped for cash. And Freedoms Watch? We have NO idea how much money they've got, nor whom their donors are, save the fact that they are a far-right wing group bent on promoting a far-right conservative worldview. Don is going to need every single cent he can raise to win this one.
Brandon over at the DCCC's blog - The Stakeholder - informed us that the DCCC filed a complaint with the FEC against the NRCC and Freedoms Watch, alleging that they colluded on the ads I showed y'all here.
Here's the text of the press release announcing the complaint:
The DCCC filed a complaint today with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Freedom's Watch and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). Freedom's Watch, a shadowy outside group, and the NRCC illegally coordinated their political attack ads against Democratic candidate Don Cazayoux (LA-06).
The Freedom's Watch and the NRCC's television ads are stunningly similar. A little digging revealed why -- electronic identifiers show that the NRCC wrote the Freedom's Watch ad.
"The DCCC is filing this FEC complaint to hold Freedom's Watch and the NRCC accountable for their illegal coordination that is being used to mislead voters about Democratic candidates' positions," said Brian Wolff, Executive Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Tom Cole may have gotten his wish when Freedom's Watch came to the NRCC's rescue, but breaking the law will be the NRCC's worst nightmare. Freedom's Watch own Word document clearly shows that the script for their ad came from the NRCC -- that's clearly illegal."
Freedom's Watch is operating as the cash-strapped NRCC's de facto independent expenditure campaign:
* The script that Freedom's Watch provided television stations running their ads included electronic identifiers indicating that the NRCC created the Word document.
* The NRCC's ad buy in LA-06 ended the day the nearly identical Freedom's Watch ad began airing. The NRCC ad ran from 4/10/08 through 4/16/08. The Freedom's Watch ad began airing as the NRCC went dark -- 4/16/08 and is scheduled to run through the special election on 5/03/08.
* The message, images, and citations in both the Freedom's Watch ad and NRCC ad are nearly identical. See for yourself -- click here to see images of the ads side by side.
* Freedom's Watch is being run by Carl Forti, a longtime NRCC veteran who was responsible for the NRCC's independent expenditure campaigns and communications for nearly a decade. [Washington Post, 3/30/08] This is the same Forti who's responsible for attacks that led Republican Members and Republican candidates to call the NRCC "a rogue attack shop," responsible for "smears," "over-the-top accusations," "demonstrably false" and "misleading" attacks and "political mudslinging." [Boston Globe, 3/04/07]
* For the first time in memory, NRCC Chairman Tom Cole welcomed the participation of Freedom's Watch and other outside groups like it in House campaigns, saying "We hope we see them in political races all across the board." [Washington Post, 3/30/08]
What do y'all think about all this? I can tell you that I'm glad that the DCCC isn't taking this one lightly, and coming out swinging on it. Bout time we showed folks in this part of the country that Democrats are willing to fight.
The text of the complaint itself is below the jump.
The DCCC has dropped an Independent Expenditure BOMB to the tune of $110,000 here in LA-06:
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Great American Media
Purpose of Expenditure: Media Buy
Name of Federal Candidate supported or opposed by expenditure: Louis (Woody) Jenkins
Office Sought: House of Representatives
State is Louisiana in District 06
Amount Expended = $92177.00
Allan B Crow &Associates, Inc.
Purpose of Expenditure: Media Production
Name of Federal Candidate supported or opposed by expenditure: Louis (Woody) Jenkins
Amount Expended = $6842.11
Mission Control, Inc.
Purpose of Expenditure: Literature
Name of Federal Candidate supported or opposed by expenditure: Donald J. Cazayoux
Amount Expended = $5750.00
Mission Control, Inc.
Purpose of Expenditure: Literature
Name of Federal Candidate supported or opposed by expenditure: Louis (Woody) Jenkins
One of Capitol Hill's newspapers, Roll Call, (subscription required), reminds us that Rep. Rodney Alexander is either the unluckiest man in the Republican Party these days or he is one of the worst judges of character EVER.
Let's recap all the scandals he's been on the periphery of ...
In 2006, one of his staffers, Theresa Mares was caught sending love letters to convicted killer Scott Peterson on Congressional stationary! No need to worry, as Mr. Alexander fired Ms. Mares.
I grew up and have spent most of my life in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District. I grew up in New Roads, Louisiana - a small town founded in the 18th century that's famous for hosting the oldest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans. After graduating from high school in New Roads, I headed down the road to Baton Rouge to earn my BA and a Master's in Psychology from LSU. I earned my law degree from Georgetown in 1991. 
Traffic isn't just a nuisance - it also impacts our economy and our quality of life. The more time we spend in traffic, the less time we spend being productive and that's not good for the economy. It also means less time that we can be spend enjoying our kids, our parents and our grandparents. I support the I-10 loop because it'll reduce
congestion and make it easier for Louisianans to reach their destinations. 
I support fair trade agreements that raise labor standards for all workers - both here in the United States and abroad - while ensuring
that American businesses remain competitive. I will vote to close tax loopholes that reward companies for moving our jobs overseas. I oppose
the Colombian Free Trade Agreement in its current form and believe that we need to renegotiate CAFTA and NAFTA to include more protections for
our workers.
I am a strong supporter of fiscally responsible tax cuts for middle class families. In the Louisiana legislature, I voted for millions in
tax cuts for middle class families including an increase in the child tax credit. And, in Congress I will continue to support sensible tax relief for small businesses and middle class families. 
