December 08, 2006
The Hotline's December House Cleaning
LA 02: LOST AND FOUND
Although the runoff's tomorrow, state Rep. Karen Carter (D) and Rep. William Jefferson (D) were nowhere to be seen in LA 02 yesterday. Jefferson spent the day in DC to vote on an offshore royalty revenue sharing bill, while Carter was "preparing to travel briefly" to Baton Rouge, LA to partake in the opening of a special legislative session. Their "conspicious absence" reflected "a weird campaign, even by Louisiana standards."
LA political analyst Ed Renwick: "It's almost Christmas, you got candidates not in their district, and I can't ever recall a big-deal debate on the night before an election," calling the days leading up to an election "a time usually reserved for energizing turnout."
Tulane prof. Brian Brox: "But for Jefferson, it might be a good thing, because he can vote on an isue important to Louisiana" (New Orleans Times-Picayune
TX 23: BORDER-LINE ISSUE
Despite the 700 miles of fencing along the Mexican border, Rep. Henry Bonilla (R) and ex-Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D) have "made it a point to avoid any discussion of immigration." At rallies in San Antonio and by the border, Bonilla and Rodriguez "spoke of health care, education and taxes, but not of immigration."
Yet immigration "is one of the most clear" differences between the two candidates. Bonilla favored a House bill making it a felony to be an illegal alien, and supported the creation of the fence. Rodriguez "voted strongly against both measures."
Although both candidates are of Mexican descent, Bonilla "shudders" at what he calls "psuedo-intellectuals" who try to stereotype him. Bonilla: "They always think that the color of your skin should dictate what your political philosophy is. Nothing can be more insulting" (USA Today).
Posted at 01:45 PM
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