1 00:00:04,571 --> 00:00:05,238 Tomorrow is 2 00:00:05,238 --> 00:00:06,339 primary Election Day. 3 00:00:06,339 --> 00:00:07,173 Here in Louisiana, 4 00:00:07,173 --> 00:00:08,074 the biggest contest 5 00:00:08,074 --> 00:00:09,175 on the ballot is the U.S. 6 00:00:09,175 --> 00:00:09,776 Senate seat 7 00:00:09,776 --> 00:00:11,311 being vacated by retiring 8 00:00:11,311 --> 00:00:12,779 Senator Russell Long. 9 00:00:12,779 --> 00:00:13,780 14 candidates 10 00:00:13,780 --> 00:00:15,281 are vying for that job. 11 00:00:15,281 --> 00:00:15,682 Tonight, 12 00:00:15,682 --> 00:00:16,783 we will be taking a closer 13 00:00:16,783 --> 00:00:17,817 look at that race 14 00:00:17,817 --> 00:00:18,952 along with the contest 15 00:00:18,952 --> 00:00:19,452 for the U.S. 16 00:00:19,452 --> 00:00:20,820 House of Representatives 17 00:00:20,820 --> 00:00:21,421 and the seven 18 00:00:21,421 --> 00:00:22,288 proposed amendments 19 00:00:22,288 --> 00:00:25,325 to the state constitution. 20 00:00:29,996 --> 00:00:31,531 Election 86. 21 00:00:31,531 --> 00:00:35,101 The Louisiana primary. 22 00:00:35,201 --> 00:00:35,835 Hello everyone. 23 00:00:35,835 --> 00:00:36,536 I'm Robin Hinton 24 00:00:36,536 --> 00:00:37,470 and I'd like to welcome you 25 00:00:37,470 --> 00:00:38,705 to Election '86, 26 00:00:38,705 --> 00:00:40,373 the Louisiana primary. 27 00:00:40,373 --> 00:00:41,341 Come next January, 28 00:00:41,341 --> 00:00:42,809 Louisiana will have a new face 29 00:00:42,809 --> 00:00:43,276 in the U.S. 30 00:00:43,276 --> 00:00:43,877 Senate, 31 00:00:43,877 --> 00:00:44,677 and that face will come 32 00:00:44,677 --> 00:00:46,913 from a list of 14 candidates. 33 00:00:46,913 --> 00:00:47,881 They are Sherman 34 00:00:47,881 --> 00:00:49,749 Bernard, Democrat. 35 00:00:49,749 --> 00:00:52,052 John Breaux, Democrat. 36 00:00:52,052 --> 00:00:54,587 Robert Briggs, Democrat. 37 00:00:54,587 --> 00:00:57,223 Fred Collins, Democrat. 38 00:00:57,223 --> 00:00:59,692 Vincent Giardina Independent. 39 00:00:59,692 --> 00:01:02,395 Nelson Anthony Independent. 40 00:01:02,395 --> 00:01:02,996 J.E. 41 00:01:02,996 --> 00:01:05,432 Jumonville Junior Democrat. 42 00:01:05,432 --> 00:01:06,599 Ken Lewis better known 43 00:01:06,599 --> 00:01:08,134 as Cousin Ken a Democrat. 44 00:01:09,302 --> 00:01:12,238 Frank McCarthy an independent 45 00:01:12,238 --> 00:01:14,941 Henson Moore, Republican. 46 00:01:14,941 --> 00:01:17,744 Johnny Meyers, Democrat. 47 00:01:17,744 --> 00:01:20,647 Sammy Nunez, Democrat. 48 00:01:20,647 --> 00:01:23,216 Robert Max Ross, Republican. 49 00:01:23,216 --> 00:01:25,652 And Eli Williams, Democrat. 50 00:01:25,652 --> 00:01:26,252 Now, although 51 00:01:26,252 --> 00:01:27,387 there are 14 candidates 52 00:01:27,387 --> 00:01:28,321 running for senator, 53 00:01:28,321 --> 00:01:29,522 the major focus of the race 54 00:01:29,522 --> 00:01:31,257 has centered on five of them 55 00:01:31,257 --> 00:01:33,126 Republican Henson Moore 56 00:01:33,126 --> 00:01:35,061 and Democrats Sherman Bernard, 57 00:01:35,061 --> 00:01:36,362 John Breaux, 58 00:01:36,362 --> 00:01:38,231 J.E. Jumonville, Jr., 59 00:01:38,231 --> 00:01:40,467 and Sammy Nunez. 60 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:41,634 Of the five major 61 00:01:41,634 --> 00:01:43,269 candidates, Congressman Henson 62 00:01:43,269 --> 00:01:45,338 Moore is the only Republican. 63 00:01:45,338 --> 00:01:46,473 He was the first candidate 64 00:01:46,473 --> 00:01:47,273 to enter the race 65 00:01:47,273 --> 00:01:48,007 and is considered 66 00:01:48,007 --> 00:01:49,509 to be the front runner. 67 00:01:49,509 --> 00:01:50,877 The National Republican Party 68 00:01:50,877 --> 00:01:51,811 has been working hard 69 00:01:51,811 --> 00:01:52,979 for Moore's election 70 00:01:52,979 --> 00:01:54,380 and big name Republican leaders 71 00:01:54,380 --> 00:01:55,415 like President Reagan 72 00:01:55,415 --> 00:01:56,549 and Vice President George 73 00:01:56,549 --> 00:01:57,817 Bush have campaigned 74 00:01:57,817 --> 00:01:58,485 in Louisiana 75 00:01:58,485 --> 00:02:00,420 on the congressman's behalf. 76 00:02:00,420 --> 00:02:01,054 Recently, Moore 77 00:02:01,054 --> 00:02:02,122 conducted a whistlestop 78 00:02:02,122 --> 00:02:04,157 campaign across the state. 79 00:02:04,157 --> 00:02:05,525 His campaign has focused 80 00:02:05,525 --> 00:02:06,493 heavily on the state's 81 00:02:06,493 --> 00:02:07,293 economic woes 82 00:02:07,293 --> 00:02:09,062 and a 14 point plan Moore 83 00:02:09,062 --> 00:02:09,829 says, would create 84 00:02:09,829 --> 00:02:11,231 jobs here in Louisiana. 85 00:02:12,232 --> 00:02:12,599 The Moore 86 00:02:12,599 --> 00:02:13,433 campaign sees 87 00:02:13,433 --> 00:02:14,234 Congressman John 88 00:02:14,234 --> 00:02:15,068 Breaux of Lafayette 89 00:02:15,068 --> 00:02:16,603 as their chief opponent, 90 00:02:16,603 --> 00:02:17,971 Breaux to enter the race soon 91 00:02:17,971 --> 00:02:19,139 after Senator Russell Long 92 00:02:19,139 --> 00:02:20,840 announced his retirement. 93 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:22,375 The seven term congressman 94 00:02:22,375 --> 00:02:23,643 has the backing of the state's 95 00:02:23,643 --> 00:02:25,111 Democratic Party. 96 00:02:25,111 --> 00:02:26,479 Economics is a central theme 97 00:02:26,479 --> 00:02:27,780 in Breaux's campaign, too. 98 00:02:27,780 --> 00:02:29,149 But he blames Louisiana's 99 00:02:29,149 --> 00:02:29,949 economic problems 100 00:02:29,949 --> 00:02:31,518 on the Reagan administration, 101 00:02:31,518 --> 00:02:32,118 which is backing 102 00:02:32,118 --> 00:02:33,686 Congressman Moore, 103 00:02:33,686 --> 00:02:35,054 as if the Moore campaign 104 00:02:35,054 --> 00:02:35,588 was not enough 105 00:02:35,588 --> 00:02:36,556 for Breaux to deal with. 106 00:02:36,556 --> 00:02:37,891 He is also facing opposition 107 00:02:37,891 --> 00:02:39,092 from three Democratic state 108 00:02:39,092 --> 00:02:40,560 officeholders, state 109 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:42,362 senators Sammy Nunez and J.E. 110 00:02:42,362 --> 00:02:43,663 Jumonville Jr. 111 00:02:43,663 --> 00:02:44,297 And Insurance 112 00:02:44,297 --> 00:02:46,132 Commissioner Sherman Bernard. 113 00:02:46,132 --> 00:02:47,500 Bernard is a familiar name 114 00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:48,701 in Louisiana politics, 115 00:02:48,701 --> 00:02:49,936 and he is banking heavily 116 00:02:49,936 --> 00:02:51,004 on name recognition 117 00:02:51,004 --> 00:02:52,906 in his bid for the U.S. Senate. 118 00:02:52,906 --> 00:02:53,940 Bernard doesn't have much 119 00:02:53,940 --> 00:02:55,241 in the way of campaign funds 120 00:02:55,241 --> 00:02:56,409 and has not been campaigning 121 00:02:56,409 --> 00:02:56,876 as heavily 122 00:02:56,876 --> 00:02:58,778 as the other major candidates. 123 00:02:58,778 --> 00:03:00,113 This is his second attempt 124 00:03:00,113 --> 00:03:00,446 to become 125 00:03:00,446 --> 00:03:01,915 a United States senator. 126 00:03:01,915 --> 00:03:02,315 He ran 127 00:03:02,315 --> 00:03:04,551 unsuccessfully in 1974 128 00:03:04,551 --> 00:03:06,319 against Russell Long, 129 00:03:06,319 --> 00:03:07,120 Sammy Nunez 130 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:07,620 as president 131 00:03:07,620 --> 00:03:08,955 of the Louisiana Senate. 132 00:03:08,955 --> 00:03:09,856 And he blames both 133 00:03:09,856 --> 00:03:10,757 Democratic Congressman 134 00:03:10,757 --> 00:03:12,091 John Breaux and Republican 135 00:03:12,091 --> 00:03:13,560 Congressman Henson Moore 136 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:14,794 for shaping policies 137 00:03:14,794 --> 00:03:15,495 in Washington 138 00:03:15,495 --> 00:03:16,696 that have devastated the state's 139 00:03:16,696 --> 00:03:17,664 economy. 140 00:03:17,664 --> 00:03:18,631 Nunez has served 141 00:03:18,631 --> 00:03:19,832 in the Louisiana legislature 142 00:03:19,832 --> 00:03:21,301 for more than 20 years. 143 00:03:21,301 --> 00:03:22,535 Its campaign for the U.S. 144 00:03:22,535 --> 00:03:23,703 Senate is centered around three 145 00:03:23,703 --> 00:03:25,004 major issues 146 00:03:25,004 --> 00:03:26,706 energy, foreign trade 147 00:03:26,706 --> 00:03:28,107 and the federal debt. 148 00:03:28,107 --> 00:03:28,942 He has the backing 149 00:03:28,942 --> 00:03:30,043 of many of his colleagues 150 00:03:30,043 --> 00:03:31,344 in the state legislature 151 00:03:31,344 --> 00:03:32,545 and sees himself 152 00:03:32,545 --> 00:03:33,846 as an alternative candidate 153 00:03:33,846 --> 00:03:34,681 who is more attuned 154 00:03:34,681 --> 00:03:35,415 to the problems 155 00:03:35,415 --> 00:03:37,183 here in Louisiana. 156 00:03:37,183 --> 00:03:38,318 Like Nunez, J.E. 157 00:03:38,318 --> 00:03:40,320 Jumonville is a state senator. 158 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:41,721 Unlike most other candidates 159 00:03:41,721 --> 00:03:42,789 who solicit campaign 160 00:03:42,789 --> 00:03:43,890 contributions. 161 00:03:43,890 --> 00:03:45,491 Jumonville is running his campaign 162 00:03:45,491 --> 00:03:47,460 primarily out of his own pocket. 163 00:03:47,460 --> 00:03:48,595 Some political observers 164 00:03:48,595 --> 00:03:49,495 say Jumonville entered 165 00:03:49,495 --> 00:03:50,129 the Senate race 166 00:03:50,129 --> 00:03:50,530 to build up 167 00:03:50,530 --> 00:03:52,599 name recognition for the 1987 168 00:03:52,599 --> 00:03:54,234 gubernatorial race. 169 00:03:54,234 --> 00:03:55,201 But Jumonville says 170 00:03:55,201 --> 00:03:56,035 that isn't true, 171 00:03:56,035 --> 00:03:57,503 and he is a serious candidate 172 00:03:57,503 --> 00:03:58,538 for the U.S. Senate. 173 00:03:59,973 --> 00:04:00,607 With so many 174 00:04:00,607 --> 00:04:01,507 well-known candidates 175 00:04:01,507 --> 00:04:02,709 seeking the Senate seat, 176 00:04:02,709 --> 00:04:04,477 the primary contest is expected 177 00:04:04,477 --> 00:04:05,945 to lead to a runoff. 178 00:04:05,945 --> 00:04:06,746 Let's now take a look 179 00:04:06,746 --> 00:04:07,814 at the races for the U.S. 180 00:04:07,814 --> 00:04:09,449 House of Representatives. 181 00:04:09,449 --> 00:04:10,383 Louisiana has eight 182 00:04:10,383 --> 00:04:11,851 congressional districts. 183 00:04:11,851 --> 00:04:13,086 District one is represented 184 00:04:13,086 --> 00:04:14,254 by a Republican congressman, 185 00:04:14,254 --> 00:04:15,488 Bob Livingston. 186 00:04:15,488 --> 00:04:16,055 He is running 187 00:04:16,055 --> 00:04:17,824 unopposed this year. 188 00:04:17,824 --> 00:04:18,625 District two, 189 00:04:18,625 --> 00:04:19,158 which includes 190 00:04:19,158 --> 00:04:19,759 New Orleans, 191 00:04:19,759 --> 00:04:20,760 is currently represented 192 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,629 by Congresswoman Lindy Boggs. 193 00:04:22,629 --> 00:04:23,830 Boggs, a Democrat, 194 00:04:23,830 --> 00:04:24,864 has token opposition 195 00:04:24,864 --> 00:04:26,499 this year from two candidates. 196 00:04:26,499 --> 00:04:28,034 They are Landi Dyess, 197 00:04:28,034 --> 00:04:29,936 an independent from Metairie 198 00:04:29,936 --> 00:04:30,770 and Roger Sea 199 00:04:30,770 --> 00:04:31,904 Captain Johnson, a 200 00:04:31,904 --> 00:04:33,573 Republican from New Orleans. 201 00:04:33,573 --> 00:04:34,841 Boggs is expected to win 202 00:04:34,841 --> 00:04:36,709 this contest easily. 203 00:04:36,709 --> 00:04:37,443 Congressman Billy 204 00:04:37,443 --> 00:04:38,411 Tauzin, a Democrat 205 00:04:38,411 --> 00:04:39,412 from Thibodaux, is running 206 00:04:39,412 --> 00:04:41,614 unopposed and District three. 207 00:04:41,614 --> 00:04:42,815 The same holds true 208 00:04:42,815 --> 00:04:43,483 for Democratic 209 00:04:43,483 --> 00:04:44,484 Congressman Buddy Roemer, 210 00:04:44,484 --> 00:04:46,753 who represents District four. 211 00:04:46,753 --> 00:04:47,820 There are three candidates 212 00:04:47,820 --> 00:04:48,621 seeking to represent 213 00:04:48,621 --> 00:04:49,289 District five, 214 00:04:49,289 --> 00:04:50,790 which includes the Monroe area. 215 00:04:50,790 --> 00:04:51,891 Thomas Bud Brady, 216 00:04:51,891 --> 00:04:53,326 a Democrat from Olla. 217 00:04:53,326 --> 00:04:54,527 Incumbent Jerry Huckaby, 218 00:04:54,527 --> 00:04:56,095 a Democrat from Ringgold. 219 00:04:56,095 --> 00:04:57,063 And Fred Unified, 220 00:04:57,063 --> 00:04:59,165 a Democrat from Monroe. 221 00:04:59,165 --> 00:04:59,866 But I understand. 222 00:04:59,866 --> 00:05:01,634 Jerry Huckabee is the incumbent 223 00:05:01,634 --> 00:05:02,669 and is said to be leading 224 00:05:02,669 --> 00:05:04,570 the three man race for Congress. 225 00:05:04,570 --> 00:05:05,271 Opponent Bud 226 00:05:05,271 --> 00:05:06,205 Brady is completing 227 00:05:06,205 --> 00:05:06,906 his third term 228 00:05:06,906 --> 00:05:07,740 in the Louisiana House 229 00:05:07,740 --> 00:05:09,008 of Representatives. 230 00:05:09,008 --> 00:05:10,343 Brady says government 231 00:05:10,343 --> 00:05:11,577 should return to the basics 232 00:05:11,577 --> 00:05:12,111 and that charity 233 00:05:12,111 --> 00:05:13,212 should begin at home before 234 00:05:13,212 --> 00:05:15,648 any aid is sent overseas. 235 00:05:15,648 --> 00:05:16,349 The third man in 236 00:05:16,349 --> 00:05:18,184 the race is Fred UNIFIL. 237 00:05:18,184 --> 00:05:19,319 He blames the problems 238 00:05:19,319 --> 00:05:20,620 with the economy in general 239 00:05:20,620 --> 00:05:21,721 and American agriculture 240 00:05:21,721 --> 00:05:22,755 in particular 241 00:05:22,755 --> 00:05:23,990 on the nation's abandonment 242 00:05:23,990 --> 00:05:24,557 of regulating 243 00:05:24,557 --> 00:05:25,992 the value of its money. 244 00:05:25,992 --> 00:05:27,126 An outstanding foreign 245 00:05:27,126 --> 00:05:27,727 debt owed to the 246 00:05:27,727 --> 00:05:29,329 International Monetary Fund. 247 00:05:30,730 --> 00:05:31,631 Three candidates are 248 00:05:31,631 --> 00:05:32,699 seeking the sixth 249 00:05:32,699 --> 00:05:33,733 congressional seat currently 250 00:05:33,733 --> 00:05:34,767 held by Senate candidate 251 00:05:34,767 --> 00:05:35,802 Henson More. 252 00:05:35,802 --> 00:05:36,803 They are Richard Baker, 253 00:05:36,803 --> 00:05:38,838 a Republican from Baton Rouge. 254 00:05:38,838 --> 00:05:39,672 Wallace Blackwell, 255 00:05:39,672 --> 00:05:41,341 a Democrat from Holden. 256 00:05:41,341 --> 00:05:41,908 And Tommy 257 00:05:41,908 --> 00:05:42,809 Hudson, Democrat 258 00:05:42,809 --> 00:05:44,744 from Baton Rouge. 259 00:05:44,744 --> 00:05:45,545 Hudson and Baker 260 00:05:45,545 --> 00:05:46,913 are other major contenders. 261 00:05:46,913 --> 00:05:48,514 Both are state legislators 262 00:05:48,514 --> 00:05:49,048 and the themes of 263 00:05:49,048 --> 00:05:50,116 their campaigns have centered 264 00:05:50,116 --> 00:05:51,517 around economic development 265 00:05:51,517 --> 00:05:52,752 and jobs. 266 00:05:52,752 --> 00:05:53,953 Baker has been endorsed 267 00:05:53,953 --> 00:05:55,388 by Congressman Moore 268 00:05:55,388 --> 00:05:55,988 and assured 269 00:05:55,988 --> 00:05:57,223 in campaign appearances 270 00:05:57,223 --> 00:05:58,191 by President Reagan 271 00:05:58,191 --> 00:05:59,792 and Vice President Bush. 272 00:05:59,792 --> 00:06:00,927 Hudson is a former aide 273 00:06:00,927 --> 00:06:02,695 to Senator J. Bennett Johnston. 274 00:06:02,695 --> 00:06:03,563 He also has 275 00:06:03,563 --> 00:06:05,898 the senator's endorsement. 276 00:06:05,898 --> 00:06:07,300 Six candidates are seeking 277 00:06:07,300 --> 00:06:08,534 the district seven House seat 278 00:06:08,534 --> 00:06:09,335 now held by Senate 279 00:06:09,335 --> 00:06:10,737 candidate John Breaux. 280 00:06:10,737 --> 00:06:11,404 They are Phil 281 00:06:11,404 --> 00:06:13,606 Bell, Democrat from Lafayette. 282 00:06:13,606 --> 00:06:14,040 James 283 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:15,375 David Cain, a Democrat 284 00:06:15,375 --> 00:06:17,176 from Dry Creek, 285 00:06:17,176 --> 00:06:17,944 William Carter, 286 00:06:17,944 --> 00:06:20,113 Independent from Dawson, 287 00:06:20,113 --> 00:06:21,414 Jimmy Hayes, Democrat 288 00:06:21,414 --> 00:06:22,982 from Lafayette. 289 00:06:22,982 --> 00:06:24,183 Margaret Lowenthal, 290 00:06:24,183 --> 00:06:26,285 Democrat from Lake Charles. 291 00:06:26,285 --> 00:06:27,120 And David Tibbett, 292 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,021 a Republican from Lafayette. 293 00:06:29,021 --> 00:06:29,889 I know within. 294 00:06:29,889 --> 00:06:31,391 The power bill is an accountant 295 00:06:31,391 --> 00:06:32,625 and businessman. 296 00:06:32,625 --> 00:06:33,960 He says he represents 297 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:35,027 the little guy. 298 00:06:35,027 --> 00:06:36,462 And as Congressman Bell says, 299 00:06:36,462 --> 00:06:36,963 he would work 300 00:06:36,963 --> 00:06:38,131 to get the economic engine 301 00:06:38,131 --> 00:06:40,400 moving again in Louisiana. 302 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:42,068 Cain is a state legislator 303 00:06:42,068 --> 00:06:43,102 and farmer. 304 00:06:43,102 --> 00:06:44,070 As a farmer, Cain 305 00:06:44,070 --> 00:06:45,838 says he sees a major danger 306 00:06:45,838 --> 00:06:46,639 in foreign interests 307 00:06:46,639 --> 00:06:49,208 buying up American farmland. 308 00:06:49,208 --> 00:06:50,376 Hayes is an attorney 309 00:06:50,376 --> 00:06:52,078 and real estate developer. 310 00:06:52,078 --> 00:06:52,912 He was commissioner 311 00:06:52,912 --> 00:06:54,213 of financial institutions 312 00:06:54,213 --> 00:06:56,115 before he entered the race. 313 00:06:56,115 --> 00:06:57,517 He says his background 314 00:06:57,517 --> 00:06:58,518 as a developer 315 00:06:58,518 --> 00:06:59,285 will help him attract 316 00:06:59,285 --> 00:07:01,921 new industry to District seven. 317 00:07:01,921 --> 00:07:02,922 Margaret Lowenthal 318 00:07:02,922 --> 00:07:04,023 is the only candidate 319 00:07:04,023 --> 00:07:05,691 from the Lake Charles area. 320 00:07:05,691 --> 00:07:06,559 She is currently 321 00:07:06,559 --> 00:07:07,660 a state legislator 322 00:07:07,660 --> 00:07:08,461 and subscribes 323 00:07:08,461 --> 00:07:09,529 strongly to the free 324 00:07:09,529 --> 00:07:10,963 enterprise system, 325 00:07:10,963 --> 00:07:12,398 economic development 326 00:07:12,398 --> 00:07:13,566 and a strong America, 327 00:07:13,566 --> 00:07:15,301 both home and abroad. 328 00:07:15,301 --> 00:07:16,769 Carter is the youngest candidate 329 00:07:16,769 --> 00:07:18,738 in the race at age 29. 330 00:07:18,738 --> 00:07:20,339 He says the country must end 331 00:07:20,339 --> 00:07:21,441 its current free trade 332 00:07:21,441 --> 00:07:23,342 policy overseas. 333 00:07:23,342 --> 00:07:24,076 And Antipater 334 00:07:24,076 --> 00:07:25,344 is the only Republican 335 00:07:25,344 --> 00:07:26,913 in the District seven race. 336 00:07:26,913 --> 00:07:27,814 Not only is he 337 00:07:27,814 --> 00:07:29,015 the only Republican, 338 00:07:29,015 --> 00:07:29,749 but he says that 339 00:07:29,749 --> 00:07:30,950 he is the only Cajun 340 00:07:30,950 --> 00:07:32,018 in the contest. 341 00:07:32,018 --> 00:07:33,052 Last spring, Tipper Gore 342 00:07:33,052 --> 00:07:34,287 was endorsed for the District 343 00:07:34,287 --> 00:07:35,188 seven seat by the 344 00:07:35,188 --> 00:07:36,355 state Republican Party. 345 00:07:37,857 --> 00:07:38,925 District eight is currently 346 00:07:38,925 --> 00:07:40,226 represented by Congresswoman 347 00:07:40,226 --> 00:07:40,960 Cathy Long, 348 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:41,527 but she is not 349 00:07:41,527 --> 00:07:42,962 seeking reelection. 350 00:07:42,962 --> 00:07:44,063 Five candidates are running 351 00:07:44,063 --> 00:07:45,565 for that congressional seat. 352 00:07:45,565 --> 00:07:46,599 They are Morgan Goudeau, 353 00:07:46,599 --> 00:07:48,367 Democrat from Opelousas, 354 00:07:48,367 --> 00:07:49,235 Clyde Holloway, 355 00:07:49,235 --> 00:07:51,270 Republican from Forest Hill. 356 00:07:51,270 --> 00:07:52,238 Carson Killen, 357 00:07:52,238 --> 00:07:53,940 Democrat from Cinnamon. 358 00:07:53,940 --> 00:07:55,341 Joseph Ario, a Democrat 359 00:07:55,341 --> 00:07:56,509 from Gonzales. 360 00:07:56,509 --> 00:07:57,410 And Faye Williams, 361 00:07:57,410 --> 00:08:00,480 Democrat from Alexandria. 362 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:01,247 Morgan Goudeau 363 00:08:01,247 --> 00:08:02,181 is the district attorney 364 00:08:02,181 --> 00:08:03,616 in Saint Landry Parish. 365 00:08:03,616 --> 00:08:04,884 He is also a farmer. 366 00:08:04,884 --> 00:08:05,918 And in that role, Goudeau 367 00:08:05,918 --> 00:08:07,620 says he is aware of the problems 368 00:08:07,620 --> 00:08:10,323 facing Louisiana farmers today. 369 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:11,357 Joseph Severio 370 00:08:11,357 --> 00:08:12,225 is a state senator 371 00:08:12,225 --> 00:08:14,293 from Gonzales. As congressman, 372 00:08:14,293 --> 00:08:15,261 and he says he would work 373 00:08:15,261 --> 00:08:16,729 for a balanced budget, 374 00:08:16,729 --> 00:08:18,631 an adequate farm bill, 375 00:08:18,631 --> 00:08:19,665 an immediate cleanup 376 00:08:19,665 --> 00:08:21,567 of all hazardous waste sites, 377 00:08:21,567 --> 00:08:23,870 and a strong national defense 378 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:24,804 for ten years 379 00:08:24,804 --> 00:08:26,539 Carson Killen was the top aide 380 00:08:26,539 --> 00:08:27,507 to the late Congressman 381 00:08:27,507 --> 00:08:28,808 Gillis Long. 382 00:08:28,808 --> 00:08:30,142 Killen is banking heavily 383 00:08:30,142 --> 00:08:31,711 on that association and his bid 384 00:08:31,711 --> 00:08:33,012 for the District eight seat. 385 00:08:34,013 --> 00:08:34,247 Faye 386 00:08:34,247 --> 00:08:35,715 Williams is the only woman 387 00:08:35,715 --> 00:08:37,583 and the only black in the race. 388 00:08:37,583 --> 00:08:38,417 She is an attorney 389 00:08:38,417 --> 00:08:39,218 who has spent time 390 00:08:39,218 --> 00:08:41,254 working on Capitol Hill. 391 00:08:41,254 --> 00:08:42,421 If elected, Williams says 392 00:08:42,421 --> 00:08:43,756 she wants to serve on the House 393 00:08:43,756 --> 00:08:44,790 Agriculture Committee 394 00:08:44,790 --> 00:08:45,858 because Louisiana 395 00:08:45,858 --> 00:08:46,392 farmers need 396 00:08:46,392 --> 00:08:47,793 a strong voice on issues 397 00:08:47,793 --> 00:08:48,961 such as agricultural 398 00:08:48,961 --> 00:08:50,229 production levels, 399 00:08:50,229 --> 00:08:51,831 foreign credit policies 400 00:08:51,831 --> 00:08:53,032 and export markets 401 00:08:53,032 --> 00:08:54,800 for commodities. 402 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:56,102 Clyde Holloway of Forest 403 00:08:56,102 --> 00:08:57,537 Hill was the only Republican 404 00:08:57,537 --> 00:08:59,105 in the District eight race. 405 00:08:59,105 --> 00:09:00,273 He describes himself 406 00:09:00,273 --> 00:09:01,073 as a working man 407 00:09:01,073 --> 00:09:02,241 who is congressman 408 00:09:02,241 --> 00:09:02,642 would work 409 00:09:02,642 --> 00:09:03,342 toward increased 410 00:09:03,342 --> 00:09:04,310 job opportunities 411 00:09:04,310 --> 00:09:05,811 through industrial growth, 412 00:09:05,811 --> 00:09:06,879 assistance for needy 413 00:09:06,879 --> 00:09:08,180 senior citizens 414 00:09:08,180 --> 00:09:09,015 and protecting 415 00:09:09,015 --> 00:09:11,717 the Social Security program. 416 00:09:11,717 --> 00:09:12,752 There are also a number 417 00:09:12,752 --> 00:09:13,920 of judicial contests 418 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:14,520 where the candidates 419 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:15,521 are running unopposed, 420 00:09:15,521 --> 00:09:16,222 with the exception 421 00:09:16,222 --> 00:09:17,490 of the special election 422 00:09:17,490 --> 00:09:17,990 for judge 423 00:09:17,990 --> 00:09:18,691 in the Fifth Circuit 424 00:09:18,691 --> 00:09:19,492 Court of Appeal, 425 00:09:19,492 --> 00:09:20,493 First District Division 426 00:09:20,493 --> 00:09:21,994 B, a contest 427 00:09:21,994 --> 00:09:22,828 that pits Douglas 428 00:09:22,828 --> 00:09:23,996 Allen of Metairie 429 00:09:23,996 --> 00:09:25,197 against Sole Gothard, 430 00:09:25,197 --> 00:09:26,766 also of Metairie. 431 00:09:26,766 --> 00:09:28,167 Lewis Lambert of Gonzales 432 00:09:28,167 --> 00:09:29,068 is seeking reelection 433 00:09:29,068 --> 00:09:30,303 to the Public Service Commission 434 00:09:30,303 --> 00:09:32,071 representing the third district. 435 00:09:32,071 --> 00:09:33,139 His opponent is Archie 436 00:09:33,139 --> 00:09:34,874 Miller of Luling. 437 00:09:34,874 --> 00:09:35,641 Three candidates 438 00:09:35,641 --> 00:09:36,309 make up the race 439 00:09:36,309 --> 00:09:37,476 and the fourth Public Service 440 00:09:37,476 --> 00:09:38,644 Commission District, 441 00:09:38,644 --> 00:09:40,680 Ricky Conway of Krotz Springs, 442 00:09:41,247 --> 00:09:43,149 Edward Nadal of Vinton 443 00:09:43,149 --> 00:09:44,150 and Tommy Powell, 444 00:09:44,150 --> 00:09:45,418 senior of Eunice. 445 00:09:46,385 --> 00:09:47,153 In addition to the 446 00:09:47,153 --> 00:09:48,621 mini statewide contest, 447 00:09:48,621 --> 00:09:49,722 voters will also be asked 448 00:09:49,722 --> 00:09:50,389 to vote on seven 449 00:09:50,389 --> 00:09:51,257 proposed amendments 450 00:09:51,257 --> 00:09:53,059 to the State Constitution 451 00:09:53,059 --> 00:09:53,726 Amendment number 452 00:09:53,726 --> 00:09:54,594 one would dedicate 453 00:09:54,594 --> 00:09:57,063 all but $100 million of the $640 454 00:09:57,063 --> 00:09:58,497 million windfall 455 00:09:58,497 --> 00:09:59,432 that the state is scheduled 456 00:09:59,432 --> 00:09:59,865 to receive 457 00:09:59,865 --> 00:10:00,800 on October 1st 458 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:01,367 from a settlement 459 00:10:01,367 --> 00:10:02,234 of the so-called eight 460 00:10:02,234 --> 00:10:03,069 G money 461 00:10:03,069 --> 00:10:04,470 derived from mineral activities 462 00:10:04,470 --> 00:10:05,504 in the federal outer 463 00:10:05,504 --> 00:10:06,272 continental shelf 464 00:10:06,272 --> 00:10:07,006 area within three 465 00:10:07,006 --> 00:10:09,375 miles of Louisiana's boundary. 466 00:10:09,375 --> 00:10:10,443 Amendment number two 467 00:10:10,443 --> 00:10:11,911 was set a five mile property 468 00:10:11,911 --> 00:10:12,511 tax limit, 469 00:10:12,511 --> 00:10:13,346 which levee boards 470 00:10:13,346 --> 00:10:14,380 would have to levy in order 471 00:10:14,380 --> 00:10:15,848 to pay property owners 472 00:10:15,848 --> 00:10:16,349 for land 473 00:10:16,349 --> 00:10:16,816 destroyed 474 00:10:16,816 --> 00:10:18,250 or used for levee purposes 475 00:10:18,250 --> 00:10:19,318 after other resources 476 00:10:19,318 --> 00:10:20,419 are exhausted. 477 00:10:20,419 --> 00:10:21,487 Amendment number three 478 00:10:21,487 --> 00:10:22,622 will replace the president 479 00:10:22,622 --> 00:10:23,222 of Saint Mary's 480 00:10:23,222 --> 00:10:24,156 Dominican College, 481 00:10:24,156 --> 00:10:25,958 which is closing with presidents 482 00:10:25,958 --> 00:10:27,326 of two public universities 483 00:10:27,326 --> 00:10:28,227 to nominate persons 484 00:10:28,227 --> 00:10:29,295 to serve on the New Orleans 485 00:10:29,295 --> 00:10:31,297 City's Civil Service Commission. 486 00:10:31,297 --> 00:10:32,031 This proposal 487 00:10:32,031 --> 00:10:33,132 only affects New Orleans, 488 00:10:33,132 --> 00:10:34,100 but it must be approved 489 00:10:34,100 --> 00:10:35,067 in Orleans Parish 490 00:10:35,067 --> 00:10:37,036 as well as statewide. 491 00:10:37,036 --> 00:10:38,104 Amendment number four 492 00:10:38,104 --> 00:10:39,372 would allow the legislature 493 00:10:39,372 --> 00:10:40,606 to increase the license 494 00:10:40,606 --> 00:10:42,375 tag fee on private cars 495 00:10:42,375 --> 00:10:45,411 from $3 to a maximum of $25. 496 00:10:46,045 --> 00:10:47,113 Amendment number five 497 00:10:47,113 --> 00:10:48,147 would allow state government 498 00:10:48,147 --> 00:10:49,315 to convert short term 499 00:10:49,315 --> 00:10:50,549 debt to long term 500 00:10:50,549 --> 00:10:52,451 at a higher interest rate. 501 00:10:52,451 --> 00:10:53,219 Amendment number 502 00:10:53,219 --> 00:10:54,587 six would give the Louisiana 503 00:10:54,587 --> 00:10:55,688 Supreme Court 504 00:10:55,688 --> 00:10:56,822 sole authority 505 00:10:56,822 --> 00:10:57,390 to provide 506 00:10:57,390 --> 00:10:58,658 for the appointment of lawyers 507 00:10:58,658 --> 00:10:59,759 as temporary judges 508 00:10:59,759 --> 00:11:01,060 of lower courts. 509 00:11:01,060 --> 00:11:02,361 The purpose of this proposal 510 00:11:02,361 --> 00:11:03,095 is to clarify 511 00:11:03,095 --> 00:11:04,096 the constitutionality 512 00:11:04,096 --> 00:11:04,997 of temporary 513 00:11:04,997 --> 00:11:05,998 judicial appointments 514 00:11:05,998 --> 00:11:06,532 and overcome 515 00:11:06,532 --> 00:11:08,701 complaints of abuses. 516 00:11:08,701 --> 00:11:09,301 An amendment 517 00:11:09,301 --> 00:11:10,169 seven would shorten 518 00:11:10,169 --> 00:11:11,137 the lame duck period 519 00:11:11,137 --> 00:11:12,304 for statewide elected 520 00:11:12,304 --> 00:11:13,873 officials and legislators 521 00:11:13,873 --> 00:11:14,507 by allowing 522 00:11:14,507 --> 00:11:15,574 newly elected officials 523 00:11:15,574 --> 00:11:16,242 to take office 524 00:11:16,242 --> 00:11:17,510 two months earlier. 525 00:11:17,510 --> 00:11:18,978 The second Monday in January. 526 00:11:18,978 --> 00:11:20,079 Instead of the second Monday 527 00:11:20,079 --> 00:11:20,980 in March. 528 00:11:20,980 --> 00:11:21,714 The proposal would 529 00:11:21,714 --> 00:11:22,581 give new state 530 00:11:22,581 --> 00:11:23,649 officials more time 531 00:11:23,649 --> 00:11:24,050 to prepare 532 00:11:24,050 --> 00:11:25,451 for the legislative session, 533 00:11:25,451 --> 00:11:27,453 which convenes in April. 534 00:11:27,453 --> 00:11:28,320 Two of the amendments 535 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:28,821 are receiving 536 00:11:28,821 --> 00:11:30,089 a lot of attention. 537 00:11:30,089 --> 00:11:30,990 They are amendments 538 00:11:30,990 --> 00:11:32,391 one and four. 539 00:11:32,391 --> 00:11:33,592 Correspondent Lynda Roedts 540 00:11:33,592 --> 00:11:34,994 tells us why. 541 00:11:34,994 --> 00:11:36,295 It's called Amendment One, 542 00:11:36,295 --> 00:11:37,797 because supporters feel it's 543 00:11:37,797 --> 00:11:38,764 the most important 544 00:11:38,764 --> 00:11:39,999 constitutional amendment. 545 00:11:39,999 --> 00:11:41,133 Louisiana voters 546 00:11:41,133 --> 00:11:42,535 have faced in years. 547 00:11:43,836 --> 00:11:45,137 If this amendment is 548 00:11:45,137 --> 00:11:45,571 defeated, 549 00:11:45,571 --> 00:11:46,205 I shudder 550 00:11:46,205 --> 00:11:47,807 to think of the consequences 551 00:11:47,807 --> 00:11:49,041 for the state. 552 00:11:49,041 --> 00:11:49,709 Essentially, 553 00:11:49,709 --> 00:11:50,943 the measure would set aside 554 00:11:50,943 --> 00:11:52,078 about $540 555 00:11:52,078 --> 00:11:54,080 million in oil revenues 556 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:55,314 from federal offshore 557 00:11:55,314 --> 00:11:57,349 tracks for education. 558 00:11:57,349 --> 00:11:58,117 The government has 559 00:11:58,117 --> 00:11:59,018 been holding the money 560 00:11:59,018 --> 00:12:00,753 since 1978, 561 00:12:00,753 --> 00:12:02,421 until the state and the feds 562 00:12:02,421 --> 00:12:03,556 could settle their dispute 563 00:12:03,556 --> 00:12:05,191 about how much money Louisiana 564 00:12:05,191 --> 00:12:06,258 would get. 565 00:12:06,258 --> 00:12:07,193 A quarter of the money 566 00:12:07,193 --> 00:12:08,461 stays in a trust fund, 567 00:12:08,461 --> 00:12:09,228 which could grow 568 00:12:09,228 --> 00:12:11,731 to a maximum of $2 billion. 569 00:12:12,064 --> 00:12:13,132 The rest would buy 570 00:12:13,132 --> 00:12:14,900 textbooks, pay salaries, 571 00:12:14,900 --> 00:12:15,901 fund research 572 00:12:15,901 --> 00:12:17,636 and new programs at all 573 00:12:17,636 --> 00:12:19,672 educational levels. 574 00:12:19,672 --> 00:12:20,973 Every expert 575 00:12:20,973 --> 00:12:21,741 who has examined 576 00:12:21,741 --> 00:12:22,775 the Louisiana economy, 577 00:12:22,775 --> 00:12:23,476 every economist, 578 00:12:23,476 --> 00:12:26,011 every business consultant 579 00:12:26,212 --> 00:12:27,313 will conclude 580 00:12:27,313 --> 00:12:28,247 that the first thing 581 00:12:28,247 --> 00:12:29,715 we need to do to get ourselves 582 00:12:29,715 --> 00:12:31,250 out of this terrible 583 00:12:31,250 --> 00:12:32,084 economic slump 584 00:12:32,084 --> 00:12:33,652 and this morass that we're in 585 00:12:33,652 --> 00:12:35,488 is to improve education. 586 00:12:35,488 --> 00:12:36,422 Winston Day, 587 00:12:36,422 --> 00:12:37,623 chairman of the Coalition 588 00:12:37,623 --> 00:12:38,157 for a Better 589 00:12:38,157 --> 00:12:39,358 Louisiana, says 590 00:12:39,358 --> 00:12:40,626 the defeat of this amendment 591 00:12:40,626 --> 00:12:41,761 would send a message 592 00:12:41,761 --> 00:12:43,829 to legislators in other states 593 00:12:43,829 --> 00:12:45,030 that Louisiana doesn't 594 00:12:45,030 --> 00:12:47,032 really care about education. 595 00:12:47,032 --> 00:12:47,399 U.S. 596 00:12:47,399 --> 00:12:48,467 Senator J. Bennett 597 00:12:48,467 --> 00:12:49,902 Johnston agrees. 598 00:12:49,902 --> 00:12:51,537 Johnston worked in Washington 599 00:12:51,537 --> 00:12:52,505 to release the funds 600 00:12:52,505 --> 00:12:53,672 to Louisiana, 601 00:12:53,672 --> 00:12:54,740 and now he feels 602 00:12:54,740 --> 00:12:56,175 a responsibility to see 603 00:12:56,175 --> 00:12:57,843 they are used properly. 604 00:12:57,843 --> 00:12:58,878 He calls the amendment 605 00:12:58,878 --> 00:12:59,912 a moral test 606 00:12:59,912 --> 00:13:01,714 and says if Louisiana voters 607 00:13:01,714 --> 00:13:02,882 turn it down. 608 00:13:02,882 --> 00:13:04,049 We've kind of proved to 609 00:13:04,049 --> 00:13:05,584 ourselves and others that 610 00:13:06,685 --> 00:13:07,353 we're 611 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:09,155 where 612 00:13:09,355 --> 00:13:10,222 we really want to be 613 00:13:10,222 --> 00:13:11,957 a banana republic. 614 00:13:12,324 --> 00:13:13,192 The other amendment 615 00:13:13,192 --> 00:13:14,326 that would have an impact on 616 00:13:14,326 --> 00:13:15,961 most of us would raise the fee 617 00:13:15,961 --> 00:13:16,595 for license 618 00:13:16,595 --> 00:13:20,032 tags from $3 to a maximum of $25. 619 00:13:20,432 --> 00:13:21,033 A spokesman 620 00:13:21,033 --> 00:13:21,867 for the state's Public 621 00:13:21,867 --> 00:13:22,768 Safety Department 622 00:13:22,768 --> 00:13:24,503 says it costs Louisiana 623 00:13:24,503 --> 00:13:25,171 more than it 624 00:13:25,171 --> 00:13:26,172 charges motorists 625 00:13:26,172 --> 00:13:28,207 to process each application. 626 00:13:28,207 --> 00:13:28,908 Until now, 627 00:13:28,908 --> 00:13:29,875 money from oil 628 00:13:29,875 --> 00:13:31,544 has made up the difference. 629 00:13:31,544 --> 00:13:33,946 But now with 630 00:13:33,946 --> 00:13:35,381 with the oil revenues 631 00:13:35,381 --> 00:13:36,849 down, the state 632 00:13:36,849 --> 00:13:38,017 basically in dire 633 00:13:38,017 --> 00:13:39,451 financial trouble, 634 00:13:39,451 --> 00:13:41,086 we can no longer afford 635 00:13:41,086 --> 00:13:43,522 for the state to supplement 636 00:13:43,522 --> 00:13:47,159 the motorist responsibilities. 637 00:13:47,593 --> 00:13:48,694 Drivers here pay 638 00:13:48,694 --> 00:13:50,095 less than any other state 639 00:13:50,095 --> 00:13:51,063 in the country. 640 00:13:51,063 --> 00:13:51,997 Raising the fee 641 00:13:51,997 --> 00:13:53,766 would bring Louisiana into line 642 00:13:53,766 --> 00:13:54,567 with others 643 00:13:54,567 --> 00:13:55,668 and add $57 644 00:13:55,668 --> 00:13:57,736 million to state coffers. 645 00:13:57,736 --> 00:13:58,604 But whether voters 646 00:13:58,604 --> 00:13:59,572 will accept either 647 00:13:59,572 --> 00:14:01,407 amendment is questionable. 648 00:14:01,407 --> 00:14:02,675 Historically, most 649 00:14:02,675 --> 00:14:04,443 have not fared well. 650 00:14:04,443 --> 00:14:07,179 So we're afraid more that that 651 00:14:07,179 --> 00:14:10,015 apathy and confusion will be 652 00:14:11,150 --> 00:14:12,318 the case rather than 653 00:14:12,318 --> 00:14:13,285 that there's any opposition. 654 00:14:13,285 --> 00:14:13,786 We don't know 655 00:14:13,786 --> 00:14:15,354 of any opposition to this 656 00:14:15,354 --> 00:14:16,622 this amendment. 657 00:14:16,655 --> 00:14:17,723 We decided to take 658 00:14:17,723 --> 00:14:19,191 our own informal poll 659 00:14:19,191 --> 00:14:19,959 to see if people 660 00:14:19,959 --> 00:14:21,660 actually knew about either 661 00:14:21,660 --> 00:14:22,761 the eight G money 662 00:14:22,761 --> 00:14:23,596 or the proposed 663 00:14:23,596 --> 00:14:25,631 $25 license tag fee 664 00:14:25,865 --> 00:14:27,600 and see how they'll vote. 665 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:28,434 As I understand 666 00:14:28,434 --> 00:14:29,668 is the windfall 667 00:14:29,668 --> 00:14:31,837 is going to go 12, 668 00:14:31,837 --> 00:14:32,771 if not all of it. 669 00:14:32,771 --> 00:14:33,906 A large portion of it 670 00:14:33,906 --> 00:14:35,841 is going toward the 671 00:14:35,841 --> 00:14:36,575 education 672 00:14:36,575 --> 00:14:38,611 of our future generations. 673 00:14:38,944 --> 00:14:40,546 What do you think about that? 674 00:14:40,546 --> 00:14:42,281 I think it's a marvelous idea. 675 00:14:42,281 --> 00:14:42,681 You know what 676 00:14:42,681 --> 00:14:44,316 the money would be used for? 677 00:14:44,316 --> 00:14:46,118 No, not really. 678 00:14:46,118 --> 00:14:48,320 No. Are you registered to vote? 679 00:14:48,487 --> 00:14:49,922 No, not. No. 680 00:14:49,922 --> 00:14:50,589 I hadn't really 681 00:14:50,589 --> 00:14:51,690 heard anything about it. 682 00:14:51,690 --> 00:14:53,359 What about raising license 683 00:14:53,359 --> 00:14:55,394 tags from $3 to $25? 684 00:14:55,694 --> 00:14:56,128 I don't know 685 00:14:56,128 --> 00:14:57,296 if the proper place to do 686 00:14:57,296 --> 00:14:58,597 that is in the Constitution, 687 00:14:58,597 --> 00:14:59,431 but since it is in 688 00:14:59,431 --> 00:15:00,366 there now, I guess 689 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:03,202 they just feel like it's the 690 00:15:03,202 --> 00:15:04,937 right place to raise it. 691 00:15:04,937 --> 00:15:05,905 $25 doesn't 692 00:15:05,905 --> 00:15:07,172 seem that exorbitant, 693 00:15:07,172 --> 00:15:09,108 but how Louisiana voters 694 00:15:09,108 --> 00:15:11,277 want to spend the windfall 695 00:15:11,477 --> 00:15:12,177 and whether they are 696 00:15:12,177 --> 00:15:13,379 willing to raise money 697 00:15:13,379 --> 00:15:14,179 through fees 698 00:15:14,179 --> 00:15:15,447 may indicate voters 699 00:15:15,447 --> 00:15:17,049 have new priorities 700 00:15:17,049 --> 00:15:17,383 and may 701 00:15:17,383 --> 00:15:18,450 send a new message 702 00:15:18,450 --> 00:15:21,387 to the Louisiana legislature. 703 00:15:21,387 --> 00:15:22,121 Joining us now 704 00:15:22,121 --> 00:15:22,922 as we take a closer 705 00:15:22,922 --> 00:15:24,323 look at some of the contest 706 00:15:24,323 --> 00:15:25,357 and issues on tomorrow's 707 00:15:25,357 --> 00:15:26,792 ballot are John Hill, Capitol 708 00:15:26,792 --> 00:15:27,526 correspondent 709 00:15:27,526 --> 00:15:29,061 for Gannett News Service, 710 00:15:29,061 --> 00:15:29,628 and C.J. 711 00:15:29,628 --> 00:15:31,196 Blache, attorney, lobbyists 712 00:15:31,196 --> 00:15:32,865 and political consultant. 713 00:15:32,865 --> 00:15:33,699 Gentlemen, thank you both 714 00:15:33,699 --> 00:15:35,534 for being with us this evening. 715 00:15:35,534 --> 00:15:36,135 Amendment. 716 00:15:36,135 --> 00:15:37,202 Amendment One, 717 00:15:37,202 --> 00:15:38,570 the proposed trust 718 00:15:38,570 --> 00:15:40,506 fund for Education. 719 00:15:40,506 --> 00:15:41,840 No one seems to be against it, 720 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:43,609 but does that mean it'll pass? 721 00:15:43,609 --> 00:15:44,043 Well, 722 00:15:44,043 --> 00:15:46,078 most people think it will pass. 723 00:15:46,078 --> 00:15:46,912 I've talked to 724 00:15:46,912 --> 00:15:47,479 a number of people 725 00:15:47,479 --> 00:15:48,380 around the state 726 00:15:48,380 --> 00:15:50,382 and everybody's for it. 727 00:15:50,382 --> 00:15:51,083 But some people 728 00:15:51,083 --> 00:15:51,617 are worried about. 729 00:15:51,617 --> 00:15:52,384 A couple of things. 730 00:15:52,384 --> 00:15:52,985 One of them 731 00:15:52,985 --> 00:15:54,620 that is on the New Orleans 732 00:15:54,620 --> 00:15:56,822 ballot. Proposition number one. 733 00:15:57,189 --> 00:15:59,558 Is an unpopular $195 734 00:15:59,825 --> 00:16:00,993 property service fee. 735 00:16:00,993 --> 00:16:01,860 And people are concerned 736 00:16:01,860 --> 00:16:03,128 about voters in New Orleans 737 00:16:04,263 --> 00:16:05,130 where their 738 00:16:05,431 --> 00:16:05,931 turnout is 739 00:16:05,931 --> 00:16:07,132 expected to be pretty high 740 00:16:07,132 --> 00:16:07,599 going in 741 00:16:07,599 --> 00:16:08,701 and voting against amendment 742 00:16:08,701 --> 00:16:10,235 number one and Proposition one 743 00:16:10,235 --> 00:16:11,971 because they'll confuse the two. 744 00:16:11,971 --> 00:16:13,706 So and then other people 745 00:16:13,706 --> 00:16:15,307 are worried about the voters 746 00:16:15,307 --> 00:16:17,009 being the negative 747 00:16:17,009 --> 00:16:18,510 feeling about voters towards 748 00:16:18,510 --> 00:16:19,745 what's been happening in Baton 749 00:16:19,745 --> 00:16:20,612 Rouge, in the capitol. 750 00:16:20,612 --> 00:16:22,481 And and amendment number four, 751 00:16:22,481 --> 00:16:23,482 the auto license, 752 00:16:23,482 --> 00:16:24,917 tax increase, fee increase 753 00:16:24,917 --> 00:16:25,384 in going in 754 00:16:25,384 --> 00:16:25,918 and just voting 755 00:16:25,918 --> 00:16:27,319 against everything. 756 00:16:27,319 --> 00:16:28,821 So there is some danger 757 00:16:28,821 --> 00:16:31,223 that it might fail. Yes. 758 00:16:31,223 --> 00:16:31,457 Well, 759 00:16:31,457 --> 00:16:32,424 you know, at the same time, 760 00:16:32,424 --> 00:16:33,926 you know, we hope that 761 00:16:33,926 --> 00:16:35,928 with the level of support 762 00:16:36,195 --> 00:16:36,895 that's out there 763 00:16:36,895 --> 00:16:37,563 from the various 764 00:16:37,563 --> 00:16:38,197 interest groups, 765 00:16:38,197 --> 00:16:39,098 you have interest groups 766 00:16:39,098 --> 00:16:40,065 that have historically 767 00:16:40,065 --> 00:16:40,899 been adversaries 768 00:16:40,899 --> 00:16:42,368 who are all teaming up 769 00:16:42,368 --> 00:16:43,869 to try and get the message 770 00:16:43,869 --> 00:16:45,871 across of the importance of 771 00:16:45,871 --> 00:16:46,872 a constitutional amendment, 772 00:16:46,872 --> 00:16:47,740 number one. 773 00:16:47,740 --> 00:16:48,841 And hopefully 774 00:16:48,841 --> 00:16:50,476 with the TV commercials 775 00:16:50,476 --> 00:16:51,343 and the other support 776 00:16:51,343 --> 00:16:51,944 that's out there 777 00:16:51,944 --> 00:16:52,678 from the teachers, 778 00:16:52,678 --> 00:16:53,712 from the business community, 779 00:16:53,712 --> 00:16:55,180 from just about everyone 780 00:16:55,180 --> 00:16:57,750 who's interested in education, 781 00:16:57,750 --> 00:16:58,984 I think that this 782 00:16:58,984 --> 00:17:00,519 amendment should pass. 783 00:17:00,519 --> 00:17:01,887 Do you think the voters feel 784 00:17:01,887 --> 00:17:02,955 that if 785 00:17:03,022 --> 00:17:04,223 Amendment One passes, 786 00:17:04,223 --> 00:17:04,857 that will be a cure 787 00:17:04,857 --> 00:17:05,858 all for education? 788 00:17:05,858 --> 00:17:06,258 Do you think there's 789 00:17:06,258 --> 00:17:08,227 that misconception among voters? 790 00:17:08,227 --> 00:17:08,460 Well, 791 00:17:08,460 --> 00:17:09,228 I hope they don't think 792 00:17:09,228 --> 00:17:10,462 that it's a cure all. 793 00:17:10,462 --> 00:17:11,296 I don't think there's 794 00:17:11,296 --> 00:17:12,031 any one 795 00:17:12,031 --> 00:17:12,865 particular measure 796 00:17:12,865 --> 00:17:13,832 could be considered a cure 797 00:17:13,832 --> 00:17:14,533 all for the problems 798 00:17:14,533 --> 00:17:15,000 that we have 799 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:16,502 in our educational system. 800 00:17:16,502 --> 00:17:17,069 Even though 801 00:17:17,069 --> 00:17:18,170 what the plan is 802 00:17:18,170 --> 00:17:20,506 as it relates to the 8g monies. 803 00:17:21,140 --> 00:17:23,575 I think that it's a step toward 804 00:17:23,575 --> 00:17:24,777 addressing the problems 805 00:17:24,777 --> 00:17:25,644 and I think it will go 806 00:17:25,644 --> 00:17:26,812 a long way, particularly 807 00:17:26,812 --> 00:17:28,814 to addressing the situation in 808 00:17:28,814 --> 00:17:30,182 on higher education level, 809 00:17:30,182 --> 00:17:31,817 which we feel is necessary 810 00:17:31,817 --> 00:17:33,018 at this time. 811 00:17:33,052 --> 00:17:33,819 I don't think anybody 812 00:17:33,819 --> 00:17:34,620 would think it's a cure 813 00:17:34,620 --> 00:17:35,087 all either. 814 00:17:35,087 --> 00:17:36,288 I think people realize 815 00:17:36,288 --> 00:17:37,423 how major 816 00:17:37,423 --> 00:17:39,191 the problems are in education 817 00:17:39,191 --> 00:17:39,958 that no 818 00:17:39,958 --> 00:17:40,993 no single 819 00:17:40,993 --> 00:17:42,294 solution is doing work. 820 00:17:42,294 --> 00:17:43,495 But this is an important 821 00:17:43,495 --> 00:17:44,797 step forward. 822 00:17:44,797 --> 00:17:45,330 Okay, let's 823 00:17:45,330 --> 00:17:46,799 assume the worst and Amendment 824 00:17:46,799 --> 00:17:47,633 One fails. 825 00:17:47,633 --> 00:17:48,500 What would that mean 826 00:17:48,500 --> 00:17:49,902 for education 827 00:17:49,902 --> 00:17:51,870 and the people of Louisiana? 828 00:17:51,870 --> 00:17:52,204 Well, 829 00:17:53,238 --> 00:17:55,174 it's time that 830 00:17:55,174 --> 00:17:55,741 the Louisiana 831 00:17:55,741 --> 00:17:56,708 Association of Business 832 00:17:56,708 --> 00:17:57,242 and Industry 833 00:17:57,242 --> 00:17:57,776 said something 834 00:17:57,776 --> 00:17:58,510 interesting to me. 835 00:17:58,510 --> 00:17:58,944 He said that 836 00:17:58,944 --> 00:18:00,612 if it fails, he's afraid 837 00:18:00,612 --> 00:18:01,280 that a lot of people 838 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:02,714 will give up in Louisiana. 839 00:18:02,714 --> 00:18:04,049 Already, we've lost. 840 00:18:04,049 --> 00:18:05,250 80,000 people 841 00:18:05,250 --> 00:18:06,585 over the last three years, 842 00:18:06,585 --> 00:18:07,152 and that's a pretty 843 00:18:07,152 --> 00:18:07,920 old statistic. 844 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,555 That's about a 66 months 845 00:18:09,555 --> 00:18:10,255 old statistic. 846 00:18:10,255 --> 00:18:12,291 So it's probably around 100,000. 847 00:18:12,291 --> 00:18:13,192 And a lot. Of people just. 848 00:18:13,192 --> 00:18:14,460 Give up on Louisiana 849 00:18:14,460 --> 00:18:15,561 in general and say. 850 00:18:15,561 --> 00:18:15,994 You know, I'm 851 00:18:15,994 --> 00:18:17,029 just tired of this place. 852 00:18:17,029 --> 00:18:18,397 I want to leave. 853 00:18:18,397 --> 00:18:18,764 And I've heard 854 00:18:18,764 --> 00:18:20,232 a lot of people say that. 855 00:18:20,232 --> 00:18:21,500 And then also that 856 00:18:21,500 --> 00:18:23,836 the money will just disappear. 857 00:18:23,836 --> 00:18:25,437 S.J., don't you think that's 858 00:18:25,437 --> 00:18:26,839 that's inevitability? 859 00:18:26,839 --> 00:18:27,039 Well, 860 00:18:27,039 --> 00:18:29,341 I think that history has shown, 861 00:18:29,341 --> 00:18:30,742 for instance, with the lifeline 862 00:18:30,742 --> 00:18:32,478 that was around before, 863 00:18:32,478 --> 00:18:33,779 when we got a windfall, 864 00:18:33,779 --> 00:18:35,981 it was unfortunately spent. 865 00:18:35,981 --> 00:18:37,149 It should have been held around 866 00:18:37,149 --> 00:18:38,083 for a rainy days 867 00:18:38,083 --> 00:18:40,285 that we're facing right now. 868 00:18:40,285 --> 00:18:41,520 The problem, again, is 869 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:43,722 if amendment number one fails, 870 00:18:43,722 --> 00:18:45,090 I'm sure that this money 871 00:18:45,090 --> 00:18:45,858 I don't want to use 872 00:18:45,858 --> 00:18:46,725 the word raided, 873 00:18:46,725 --> 00:18:48,193 but would be raided to address 874 00:18:48,193 --> 00:18:48,961 some of the present 875 00:18:48,961 --> 00:18:49,962 budgetary problems 876 00:18:49,962 --> 00:18:51,630 being faced by the state. 877 00:18:51,630 --> 00:18:52,831 I think that the 878 00:18:52,831 --> 00:18:54,032 the prudent approach, 879 00:18:54,032 --> 00:18:55,134 of course, would be to go 880 00:18:55,134 --> 00:18:56,101 ahead and pass 881 00:18:56,101 --> 00:18:57,436 amendment number one 882 00:18:57,436 --> 00:18:58,604 and do the responsible thing 883 00:18:58,604 --> 00:18:59,338 that we truly need 884 00:18:59,338 --> 00:19:00,239 to do in Louisiana 885 00:19:00,239 --> 00:19:01,140 at this time, 886 00:19:01,140 --> 00:19:02,441 particularly in the education 887 00:19:02,441 --> 00:19:03,142 area. 888 00:19:03,275 --> 00:19:04,243 Amendment number four 889 00:19:04,243 --> 00:19:06,145 is another popular proposal. 890 00:19:06,145 --> 00:19:07,246 That's the one that would raise 891 00:19:07,246 --> 00:19:08,680 the auto license tax from 892 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:10,682 $3 to a maximum of $25. 893 00:19:10,949 --> 00:19:12,084 Are the voters ready 894 00:19:12,084 --> 00:19:14,486 to approve that hike? 895 00:19:14,486 --> 00:19:15,654 I doubt it. 896 00:19:15,654 --> 00:19:17,422 I seriously doubt it. If you 897 00:19:18,490 --> 00:19:19,091 look at all the 898 00:19:19,091 --> 00:19:20,692 polls and people 899 00:19:20,692 --> 00:19:21,660 like Bennett Johnston 900 00:19:21,660 --> 00:19:22,161 say there's. 901 00:19:22,161 --> 00:19:24,696 The there's the revolution. 902 00:19:24,696 --> 00:19:25,464 Has already occurred 903 00:19:25,464 --> 00:19:26,131 in the mind. 904 00:19:26,131 --> 00:19:26,899 I don't think 905 00:19:26,899 --> 00:19:27,533 the people are ready 906 00:19:27,533 --> 00:19:28,500 to hand over that money 907 00:19:28,500 --> 00:19:29,401 to the legislature, 908 00:19:29,401 --> 00:19:31,637 get into this administration, 909 00:19:31,637 --> 00:19:32,304 this governor. 910 00:19:32,304 --> 00:19:33,272 I really don't. 911 00:19:33,272 --> 00:19:35,174 I think they'll reject it. 912 00:19:35,174 --> 00:19:36,842 And I think that's unfortunate 913 00:19:36,842 --> 00:19:37,643 when you really look 914 00:19:37,643 --> 00:19:38,477 at the statistics 915 00:19:38,477 --> 00:19:40,212 as it relates to 916 00:19:40,212 --> 00:19:41,513 the license tax, 917 00:19:41,513 --> 00:19:42,181 we have the lowest 918 00:19:42,181 --> 00:19:43,382 in the nation. 919 00:19:43,382 --> 00:19:44,283 The national average 920 00:19:44,283 --> 00:19:46,351 is somewhere around $25 921 00:19:46,351 --> 00:19:48,086 and I think it's actually 922 00:19:48,086 --> 00:19:50,055 $23 is the national average. 923 00:19:50,055 --> 00:19:51,490 Maybe I'm off by a few dollars, 924 00:19:51,490 --> 00:19:52,391 but the point of the matter 925 00:19:52,391 --> 00:19:53,125 is that 926 00:19:53,125 --> 00:19:53,825 this is something 927 00:19:53,825 --> 00:19:54,927 that we have to pay here 928 00:19:54,927 --> 00:19:55,661 in Louisiana. 929 00:19:55,661 --> 00:19:56,762 We have to get the people 930 00:19:56,762 --> 00:19:57,396 in Louisiana 931 00:19:57,396 --> 00:19:59,097 understanding that 932 00:19:59,097 --> 00:20:01,166 there is no more free ride, 933 00:20:01,166 --> 00:20:02,301 that we have to pick up 934 00:20:02,301 --> 00:20:03,802 some of the cost of government. 935 00:20:03,802 --> 00:20:04,469 And I think 936 00:20:04,469 --> 00:20:06,104 until the voters in Louisiana 937 00:20:06,104 --> 00:20:06,805 start picking up 938 00:20:06,805 --> 00:20:08,140 the cost of government, 939 00:20:08,140 --> 00:20:09,174 we will continue to have 940 00:20:09,174 --> 00:20:10,642 the lack of proper interest 941 00:20:10,642 --> 00:20:11,777 on the way to know. 942 00:20:11,777 --> 00:20:12,077 Spend 943 00:20:12,077 --> 00:20:13,278 $3 would cover 944 00:20:13,278 --> 00:20:15,013 the price of the license tag. 945 00:20:15,013 --> 00:20:17,216 And that $3 was set in 1940. 946 00:20:17,216 --> 00:20:17,883 And an interesting. 947 00:20:17,883 --> 00:20:18,850 Statistic 948 00:20:18,850 --> 00:20:20,185 is the Public Affairs Research 949 00:20:20,185 --> 00:20:21,119 Council says that 950 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:23,322 that $3, 19 $40, if. 951 00:20:23,322 --> 00:20:23,956 Adjusted for. 952 00:20:23,956 --> 00:20:24,489 Inflation, 953 00:20:24,489 --> 00:20:26,325 which would be nearly $24. 954 00:20:26,325 --> 00:20:26,892 So we're really. 955 00:20:26,892 --> 00:20:27,993 Not raising it. We're just. 956 00:20:27,993 --> 00:20:28,627 Bringing it up 957 00:20:28,627 --> 00:20:29,895 to where it should be, where it. 958 00:20:29,895 --> 00:20:30,662 Should be, 959 00:20:30,662 --> 00:20:31,396 what would defeat 960 00:20:31,396 --> 00:20:32,431 of that proposal? 961 00:20:32,431 --> 00:20:33,232 What kind of message would that 962 00:20:33,232 --> 00:20:34,600 sent to the legislature? 963 00:20:35,834 --> 00:20:37,302 Well, I think that 964 00:20:37,302 --> 00:20:37,502 it would 965 00:20:37,502 --> 00:20:38,237 be particularly 966 00:20:38,237 --> 00:20:39,538 a message that there 967 00:20:39,538 --> 00:20:40,806 that the voters out there 968 00:20:40,806 --> 00:20:41,473 don't feel 969 00:20:41,473 --> 00:20:43,208 that there is a problem 970 00:20:43,208 --> 00:20:44,176 in lack of dollars 971 00:20:44,176 --> 00:20:46,211 for administering the state, 972 00:20:46,445 --> 00:20:48,647 but more a matter of improper 973 00:20:48,647 --> 00:20:50,382 spending of available dollars 974 00:20:50,382 --> 00:20:51,416 and 975 00:20:51,516 --> 00:20:51,984 and there may 976 00:20:51,984 --> 00:20:53,852 be some accuracy to that. 977 00:20:53,852 --> 00:20:54,786 Is there anything North 978 00:20:54,786 --> 00:20:56,822 noteworthy about the other five 979 00:20:57,222 --> 00:20:58,690 proposed amendments? 980 00:20:58,690 --> 00:20:59,992 Only if they fail. 981 00:20:59,992 --> 00:21:00,392 I think 982 00:21:00,392 --> 00:21:00,959 that would be an 983 00:21:00,959 --> 00:21:02,094 interesting message 984 00:21:02,094 --> 00:21:04,029 if they reject everything. 985 00:21:04,029 --> 00:21:05,797 I think that's another 986 00:21:05,797 --> 00:21:06,898 if I were in 987 00:21:06,932 --> 00:21:07,833 public office right 988 00:21:07,833 --> 00:21:08,900 now, I'd be very nervous 989 00:21:08,900 --> 00:21:10,002 if I received that message 990 00:21:10,002 --> 00:21:11,103 from voters. 991 00:21:11,103 --> 00:21:12,137 There's nothing in there 992 00:21:12,137 --> 00:21:13,272 that's significant. 993 00:21:13,272 --> 00:21:15,073 They're all sort of 994 00:21:15,073 --> 00:21:16,742 fine tuning here and there and 995 00:21:16,742 --> 00:21:17,175 and really. 996 00:21:17,175 --> 00:21:18,043 Should pass 997 00:21:18,043 --> 00:21:19,645 housekeeping type measures 998 00:21:19,645 --> 00:21:20,312 in particular. 999 00:21:20,312 --> 00:21:21,513 When you look at the 1000 00:21:21,513 --> 00:21:23,215 the lame duck amendment, 1001 00:21:23,215 --> 00:21:23,915 I think that's something 1002 00:21:23,915 --> 00:21:25,450 that we need to address. 1003 00:21:25,450 --> 00:21:26,585 Having that waiting period 1004 00:21:26,585 --> 00:21:27,152 all the way from 1005 00:21:27,152 --> 00:21:28,754 November to March before 1006 00:21:29,721 --> 00:21:30,822 newly elected officials 1007 00:21:30,822 --> 00:21:31,423 take office, 1008 00:21:31,423 --> 00:21:32,224 I think that does 1009 00:21:32,224 --> 00:21:33,925 need to be shortened. 1010 00:21:33,925 --> 00:21:35,227 The rest of them 1011 00:21:35,227 --> 00:21:36,662 really aren't of much interest 1012 00:21:36,662 --> 00:21:37,429 to most voters. 1013 00:21:37,429 --> 00:21:39,031 But the bottom line is, 1014 00:21:39,031 --> 00:21:41,466 I agree with John and rejection, 1015 00:21:41,466 --> 00:21:42,301 but I think would send 1016 00:21:42,301 --> 00:21:43,101 a message of 1017 00:21:43,101 --> 00:21:45,871 of a lack of confidence 1018 00:21:45,871 --> 00:21:47,506 in the legislature. 1019 00:21:47,506 --> 00:21:48,006 Let's quickly 1020 00:21:48,006 --> 00:21:49,141 take a look at the Senate 1021 00:21:49,141 --> 00:21:50,208 and congressional races. 1022 00:21:50,208 --> 00:21:50,709 Are there five 1023 00:21:50,709 --> 00:21:51,910 major candidates for Senate 1024 00:21:51,910 --> 00:21:53,645 or there are two? 1025 00:21:54,813 --> 00:21:55,180 Actually, 1026 00:21:55,180 --> 00:21:57,516 I think they're probably three. 1027 00:21:57,749 --> 00:21:58,884 It's why it's shaking down 1028 00:21:58,884 --> 00:21:59,551 here at the end. 1029 00:21:59,551 --> 00:22:01,553 It's it's it's 1030 00:22:01,553 --> 00:22:02,387 somebody put it there. 1031 00:22:02,387 --> 00:22:03,722 It's barely two races, it seems. 1032 00:22:03,722 --> 00:22:04,356 Henson Moore running 1033 00:22:04,356 --> 00:22:06,158 as high as he can run 1034 00:22:06,158 --> 00:22:06,858 at the top. 1035 00:22:06,858 --> 00:22:08,393 And it's John Breaux, 1036 00:22:08,393 --> 00:22:09,328 the likely candidate 1037 00:22:09,328 --> 00:22:11,096 coming in second spot. 1038 00:22:11,096 --> 00:22:12,130 And Sammy Nunez, 1039 00:22:12,130 --> 00:22:13,065 the president of the Senate 1040 00:22:13,065 --> 00:22:14,366 from New Orleans suburban area, 1041 00:22:14,366 --> 00:22:15,500 fighting in there 1042 00:22:15,500 --> 00:22:16,635 and some people say 1043 00:22:16,635 --> 00:22:18,103 might surprise everybody, 1044 00:22:18,103 --> 00:22:19,171 including John Breaux 1045 00:22:19,171 --> 00:22:21,006 and it's sort of a fight 1046 00:22:21,006 --> 00:22:21,740 between John Breaux 1047 00:22:21,740 --> 00:22:22,507 and Sammy Nunez, 1048 00:22:22,507 --> 00:22:23,642 I think for that second spot 1049 00:22:23,642 --> 00:22:24,643 that most people seem 1050 00:22:24,643 --> 00:22:25,677 to think John Breaux has it. 1051 00:22:25,677 --> 00:22:26,912 How would you characterize 1052 00:22:26,912 --> 00:22:27,946 this race? 1053 00:22:27,946 --> 00:22:29,247 Well, you know, it's 1054 00:22:29,247 --> 00:22:30,916 a very interesting race. 1055 00:22:30,916 --> 00:22:31,983 From my perspective, 1056 00:22:31,983 --> 00:22:33,452 I think one of the major things 1057 00:22:33,452 --> 00:22:35,153 that I'm looking to see 1058 00:22:35,153 --> 00:22:36,021 is exactly 1059 00:22:36,021 --> 00:22:37,289 what will be the breakdown 1060 00:22:37,289 --> 00:22:39,091 of the black vote statewide. 1061 00:22:39,091 --> 00:22:39,725 When you consider 1062 00:22:39,725 --> 00:22:40,225 the fact 1063 00:22:40,225 --> 00:22:40,959 that John Breaux 1064 00:22:40,959 --> 00:22:41,593 has been out there 1065 00:22:41,593 --> 00:22:43,261 for some time now, 1066 00:22:43,261 --> 00:22:44,396 he's had the support 1067 00:22:44,396 --> 00:22:45,897 of the of you 1068 00:22:45,897 --> 00:22:47,966 establish Democratic machine, 1069 00:22:47,966 --> 00:22:49,434 and then you have Sammy Nunez, 1070 00:22:49,434 --> 00:22:51,036 who comes out of the legislature 1071 00:22:51,036 --> 00:22:52,738 with a close relationship 1072 00:22:52,738 --> 00:22:53,772 to the Black Caucus 1073 00:22:53,772 --> 00:22:54,339 and many members 1074 00:22:54,339 --> 00:22:55,073 of the Black Caucus 1075 00:22:55,073 --> 00:22:57,376 supporting Nunez's candidacy. 1076 00:22:57,376 --> 00:22:58,643 He has former Mayor Dutch 1077 00:22:58,643 --> 00:23:00,312 Morial present Mayor Sidney 1078 00:23:00,312 --> 00:23:02,114 Barthelemy in New Orleans area. 1079 00:23:02,114 --> 00:23:03,081 And I think the big 1080 00:23:03,081 --> 00:23:04,483 question is exactly, 1081 00:23:04,483 --> 00:23:06,451 will there be a monolithic black 1082 00:23:06,451 --> 00:23:07,986 vote like we usually have 1083 00:23:07,986 --> 00:23:10,122 for a particular candidate 1084 00:23:10,122 --> 00:23:10,722 endorsed by the 1085 00:23:10,722 --> 00:23:11,623 Democratic Party? 1086 00:23:11,623 --> 00:23:12,224 I'm waiting to see 1087 00:23:12,224 --> 00:23:14,159 just how much fragmentation 1088 00:23:14,159 --> 00:23:15,193 may take place 1089 00:23:15,193 --> 00:23:16,328 at this point in time. 1090 00:23:16,328 --> 00:23:17,763 And I think that 1091 00:23:17,763 --> 00:23:19,030 it's it's 1092 00:23:19,030 --> 00:23:20,665 a very interesting situation 1093 00:23:20,665 --> 00:23:21,767 from our perspective. 1094 00:23:21,767 --> 00:23:22,234 Let's quickly 1095 00:23:22,234 --> 00:23:23,301 take a look at the 1096 00:23:23,301 --> 00:23:24,736 congressional race in District 1097 00:23:24,736 --> 00:23:26,471 six with Hudson and Baker. 1098 00:23:26,471 --> 00:23:27,839 Any thoughts there? 1099 00:23:27,839 --> 00:23:29,074 Horse race 1100 00:23:29,074 --> 00:23:30,242 see it as neck and neck 1101 00:23:30,242 --> 00:23:31,276 and possibly 1102 00:23:31,276 --> 00:23:32,244 the black vote 1103 00:23:32,244 --> 00:23:33,445 being a difference. 1104 00:23:33,445 --> 00:23:34,546 Both those candidates say 1105 00:23:34,546 --> 00:23:35,680 their polls are showing them 1106 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:36,948 they're pulling ahead 1107 00:23:36,948 --> 00:23:37,616 and I wouldn't 1108 00:23:37,616 --> 00:23:38,917 call that in the least 1109 00:23:38,917 --> 00:23:40,185 except that I would favor 1110 00:23:40,185 --> 00:23:41,686 both states and Baker. 1111 00:23:41,686 --> 00:23:42,487 I'm not forget that 1112 00:23:42,487 --> 00:23:44,456 there is a third man out there 1113 00:23:44,456 --> 00:23:45,424 and maybe some people 1114 00:23:45,424 --> 00:23:46,124 will vote for him 1115 00:23:46,124 --> 00:23:47,993 and maybe they'll both Democrats 1116 00:23:47,993 --> 00:23:48,994 and Baker will show up 1117 00:23:48,994 --> 00:23:51,496 with like 49.8% of this vote, 1118 00:23:51,530 --> 00:23:53,498 this other candidate, 2.4%. 1119 00:23:53,498 --> 00:23:54,266 And they'll have to do it 1120 00:23:54,266 --> 00:23:55,400 all over again. 1121 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:56,468 That'd be a real nightmare, 1122 00:23:56,468 --> 00:23:57,135 wouldn't it? 1123 00:23:57,469 --> 00:23:57,702 Okay. 1124 00:23:57,702 --> 00:23:58,336 District seven 1125 00:23:58,336 --> 00:23:59,070 in the Lake Charles 1126 00:23:59,070 --> 00:23:59,771 Lafayette area 1127 00:23:59,771 --> 00:24:02,040 with Lowenthal, Cain, Hayes, 1128 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:02,941 thoughts there? 1129 00:24:02,941 --> 00:24:03,675 What we're hearing 1130 00:24:03,675 --> 00:24:05,577 is that Lowenthal Hayes 1131 00:24:05,577 --> 00:24:06,711 possibly in a runoff 1132 00:24:06,711 --> 00:24:08,580 with James David Cain running 1133 00:24:08,580 --> 00:24:09,414 third. The 1134 00:24:09,881 --> 00:24:12,017 question is, of course, after 1135 00:24:12,017 --> 00:24:12,651 in a runoff, 1136 00:24:12,651 --> 00:24:13,985 what would happen at that point 1137 00:24:13,985 --> 00:24:15,220 is anybody's guess. 1138 00:24:15,220 --> 00:24:15,754 That's a real. 1139 00:24:15,754 --> 00:24:16,621 Interesting race 1140 00:24:16,621 --> 00:24:17,656 because you have 1141 00:24:17,656 --> 00:24:18,990 two legislators in there, both 1142 00:24:18,990 --> 00:24:20,826 who voted for those unpopular. 1143 00:24:20,826 --> 00:24:21,393 Taxes 1144 00:24:21,393 --> 00:24:22,561 and one member of the Edwards 1145 00:24:22,561 --> 00:24:23,862 administration in there. 1146 00:24:23,862 --> 00:24:24,296 That's 1147 00:24:24,496 --> 00:24:25,564 that is an interesting race. 1148 00:24:25,564 --> 00:24:26,531 Finally, district eight, 1149 00:24:26,531 --> 00:24:27,165 where the seat now 1150 00:24:27,165 --> 00:24:28,433 held by Cathy Long. 1151 00:24:28,433 --> 00:24:29,835 Boy, that's a wide open win. 1152 00:24:29,835 --> 00:24:31,169 Who knows? 1153 00:24:31,403 --> 00:24:32,070 That's right. 1154 00:24:32,070 --> 00:24:32,938 Again, 1155 00:24:33,238 --> 00:24:34,272 another another 1156 00:24:34,272 --> 00:24:35,574 questionable race. 1157 00:24:35,574 --> 00:24:36,541 I'm hearing that 1158 00:24:37,809 --> 00:24:39,444 Faye Williams, who is 1159 00:24:39,444 --> 00:24:40,312 a female black 1160 00:24:40,312 --> 00:24:42,047 candidate in the race, 1161 00:24:42,047 --> 00:24:43,648 is leading in the polls 1162 00:24:43,648 --> 00:24:44,850 in the low twenties. 1163 00:24:44,850 --> 00:24:45,484 And then you have 1164 00:24:45,484 --> 00:24:46,952 a grouping of folk like, 1165 00:24:46,952 --> 00:24:50,555 uh, Severio and Goudeau and, uh, 1166 00:24:50,922 --> 00:24:51,690 who's the third guy? 1167 00:24:51,690 --> 00:24:52,757 Holloway, 1168 00:24:53,158 --> 00:24:55,026 running in the high teens. 1169 00:24:55,026 --> 00:24:56,294 The question is, right now, 1170 00:24:56,294 --> 00:24:56,795 it appears 1171 00:24:56,795 --> 00:24:57,796 who will make the runoff 1172 00:24:57,796 --> 00:24:59,097 against Faye Williams? 1173 00:24:59,097 --> 00:25:00,632 Okay. Our time is just about up. 1174 00:25:00,632 --> 00:25:01,199 Thank you both 1175 00:25:01,199 --> 00:25:02,100 for sharing your thoughts 1176 00:25:02,100 --> 00:25:04,035 with us and to you, our viewers. 1177 00:25:04,035 --> 00:25:04,970 We hope that we have been able 1178 00:25:04,970 --> 00:25:05,837 to shed some light 1179 00:25:05,837 --> 00:25:07,105 on the candidates and issues 1180 00:25:07,105 --> 00:25:08,073 at the state level. 1181 00:25:08,073 --> 00:25:08,607 There are also 1182 00:25:08,607 --> 00:25:09,541 a number of contests 1183 00:25:09,541 --> 00:25:10,642 and issues at the local level. 1184 00:25:10,642 --> 00:25:11,543 Be sure to check them out. 1185 00:25:11,543 --> 00:25:13,078 And by all means, vote 1186 00:25:13,078 --> 00:25:14,145 next week on the season 1187 00:25:14,145 --> 00:25:15,113 premiere of Louisiana, 1188 00:25:15,113 --> 00:25:16,114 the State We're In, which airs 1189 00:25:16,114 --> 00:25:17,516 in the same timeslot. 1190 00:25:17,516 --> 00:25:18,149 We'll have a wrap 1191 00:25:18,149 --> 00:25:19,351 up of tomorrow's election. 1192 00:25:19,351 --> 00:25:19,985 We'll see you then. 1193 00:25:19,985 --> 00:26:22,047 Bye bye.