Nuclear Bomb In Louisiana AG Race

Photo source: The Dead Pelican

Tonight, Louisiana Record is reporting that Buddy Caldwell has approved millions in payments of taxpayer money to his supporters.

 BATON ROUGE — On television ads endorsing Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell for re-election, Paul Connick says a lot — but he never acknowledges that Caldwell approved $1.7 million in payments to his private practice. 

Connick is Jefferson Parish’s district attorney and his law firm has received 59 contracts from the Louisiana Office of Risk Management. By law, Caldwell’s office selects and appoints outside attorneys with the Office of Risk Management’s agreement. These contracts, and the potential conflict of interest they represent, have not been reported previously.

Another Caldwell ad features an endorsement from the powerful Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association without revealing that the association’s general counsel, T. Allen Usry, or his law firm Usry Weeks & Matthews, received more than $7 million worth of legal work at the direction of Caldwell’s staff and 11 other lucrative contracts. Usry, a prominent New Orleans trial lawyer, also is a former campaign manager for Caldwell. Usry has raised  $85,000 for Caldwell’s campaigns.

Landry has been running a campaign highlighting the unethical practices of Caldwell while holding the office.

If a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words........

Photo source: Facebook

Why would someone be supporting both Hillary Clinton and Rep. "Honor Code" if Edwards is supposed to be this mythical creature called a moderate Democrat? Kinda like seeing a unicorn.

Landry Holds Substantial Lead Over Caldwell; Vitter Has Momentum in Final Days

Photo source: Wikipedia

In the final days of the 2015 election, former Congressman Jeff Landry has a substantial lead over the incumbent, Buddy Caldwell, for the Attorney General's office.  Landry is leading in the latest JMC Analytics poll with 18 points, 45% - 27%.  Landry has been focusing hard on the history of corruption and questionable actions of Caldwell, such as the following:

1. During his initial run for the Attorney General's office, Caldwell made intimidating statements and threats against then Legislative Auditor, Dan Kyle, concerning an investigation into the use of funds in his office as DA in the 6th District.
2. Several of the public officials that have endorsed the re-election of Caldwell have financial and personal ties to Caldwell and his office.
3. Caldwell claims to be a Republican, but has a history of cavorting with liberal Democrats.

Vitter has been hitting hard, as of late, on the stance that Edwards has regarding Syrian refugees streaming into the country and the State of Louisiana.  Edwards has changed his stance on this issue after initially supporting the policies set about by President Obama.  The issue has pushed Vitter to within a 4 point race with Edwards, 47% - 44%.

The election is tomorrow.  These two races can determine the direction of the State of Louisiana and can lead us into a conservative direction or put us back on the path of the liberal, good ol' boy politics that we have been trying to shun for years.

John Bel Edwards, aka Rep. "Honor Code", Can't Be Trusted on Anything

John Bel Edwards, aka Rep. "Honor Code", has shown that he cannot be believed on just about anything he says.  As noted on this blog, Rep. "Honor Code" has been found to be less than truthful on several things he's said.  The following are just a couple of dishonest statements from Edwards:

1. Rep. "Honor Code" claims that former Congressman Cleo "Cash-Stuffer" Fields is not involved in his race.  The truth is, Edwards is paying for commercials being run where Fields is pushing the election of Edwards.
2. Rep. "Honor Code" claims to be a friend of the oil and gas industry, but is using a commercial that show oil and gas platforms not in Louisiana, but California.
3. Rep. "Honor Code" claims he never voted for a tax increase, but the vote for the budget last year alone raised taxes on Louisiana taxpayers and businesses by more than $700 million.
4. Rep. "Honor Code" says he does not support immigration of Syrian refugees, but edited a Facebook post saying that he would work together with Obama on this issue.
5. Lastly, Rep. "Honor Code" claims to be a conservative and concerned with family values, but missed a forum on faith and family values to attend a fundraiser at an adult club.

Now, with a history of lies, how can we support someone so dishonest?

LOGA (Louisiana Oil and Gas Association) has issued a statement on the record of Rep. "Honor Code" regarding the oil and gas industry:

“During his time as a state representative, Mr. Edwards has an 8% voting record with our association and the bills that we have supported. He has voted for higher taxes, he supports the coastal and parish lawsuits filed against dozens of our companies, and he has said in public that he sees no need for tort reform. Higher taxes, egregious lawsuits, and a litigious legal climate each discourage job growth from our industry. So while his ad says that he will stand up for our industry’s jobs and families, his voting record and his support say just the opposite.”

Edwards' cannot be trusted with the future of Louisiana.  He is not what he makes himself out to be and is not a conservative Louisiana Democrat.  He's a liberal Obama sycophant in bed with the likes of Clinton associate James Carville and the Landrieu family.  We rid ourselves of Mary Landrieu last year when Bill Cassidy was elected.  We cannot go back and allow another Democrat take over our state.

Audio of Cleo Fields Endorsing John Bel Edwards

Photo source: YouTube

This blog has found audio evidence of John Bel Edwards being endorsed by Cleo "Cash-Stuffing" Fields by robocall in the Baton Rouge area.  This comes out a day after Cajun Conservatism posted photos of push cards being passed out with similar information regarding Fields and Rep. "Honor Code" John Bel Edwards.

Rep. "Honor Code" has been touting his education and military service at West Point for election as governor.  His service should be commended, but it is no longer needed.  Saturday's election is too important to elect another Obama sycophant and we need to elect a true conservative, David Vitter.

John Bel Edwards, Rep. "Honor Code", Is a Trojan Horse on Transgender Issues

Photo source: Wikipedia

Rep. "Honor Code", John Bel Edwards, skipped out of a forum last week sponsored by local churches in Baton Rouge, as well as the Louisiana Baptist Message and the Louisiana Family Forum in order to attend a fundraiser at an adult night club in New Orleans.  Many wondered, at that time, why someone living by the "honor code" would skip out on what many considered an important forum on family and faith policies.  We found out why when Edwards was busy "in da club."

Now this piece from The Baptist Message highlights Edwards' support of transgender issues in Louisiana.  Per the article, a prominent LGBT activist in Louisiana had this to say:

In a post on her blog for Forum for Equality Louisiana, Mary Griggs, a political activist who is the immediate past president of the group, invited followers to read Edwards’ policy intentions for homosexuals and transsexuals, “in his own words.”

Griggs quoted him as claiming credit for having “exposed Mike Johnson’s so-called religious freedom bill as a Trojan Horse.” She also cited him as boasting that “before and after I became a candidate for governor, I met with LGBT groups around the state,” and promising that as governor, “I will sign an executive order which prevents discrimination against LGBT people.”

This last pledge apparently is in response to two developments in the state:

— The Marriage and Conscience Order signed by Gov. Jindal which essentially put into place the protections Edwards defeated in opposing Johnson’s Marriage and Conscience Act.

— The Fairness Ordinance, defeated 8-4 by the East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council,  would have allowed men who claim gender dysphoria, also known as gender identity disorder, to use bathrooms designated for women and girls. A similar measure, criticized as a transgender bathroom rights bill, was defeated by Houston voters earlier this month by more than 20 percentage points.

Importantly, in documents completed by Edwards for Project Vote Smart he indicated “yes” for support of the “inclusion of gender identity in Louisiana’s anti-discrimination laws.”

If you fall for the "new and conservative" Democrat spiel that Edwards is putting on, you should really think again.  He is a dyed in the wool liberal Democrat and ardent supporter of Obama and cannot be allowed to take Louisiana back to the failures of the past.

Vitter & Boustany Applaud Lafayette Clinic Campus B Announcement

Photo source: Wikipedia

(Washington, DC) – Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana) and Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, (R-South Louisiana) applauded an announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that a contract agreement has been reached for the supplementary healthcare clinic, known as “Campus B,” in Lafayette. This clinic was authorized by VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson after he traveled to Lafayette to visit with local veterans in February 2015 at the request of Boustany and Vitter. Gibson called the existing VA facilities in the community “inadequate and unacceptable” and ordered the VA to begin searching for additional clinic space.

According to the VA, the building will be located at 309 Saint Julien Avenue in Lafayette, Louisiana. Campus B will provide mental health services, with the goal of alleviating overcrowding issues at the current CBOC on Jefferson Street. The facility will also remain open to patients once the new CBOC on Ambassador Caffery Pkwy is completed. Renovations required for Campus B have caused the VA to expect completion of the facility in May 2016. However, the VA explains they will be granted access to temporary space on a different floor of the same building, where they will be able to begin seeing patients while renovations on the remainder of the facility are completed. The VA estimates the temporary space will open for patients within the next several weeks.

Vitter said: “Our brave veterans deserve the best access to healthcare possible — no matter where they live, whether it’s in a big city or a rural area. That’s why I’ve been working with Congressman Boustany to open VA facilities across southwest Louisiana, and today’s announcement will allow us to better serve those who have already given so much for our country and freedoms.”

Boustany said: “I’ve fought hard to ensure our veterans have the best possible facilities and good access to care in Lafayette. Although we experienced delays on this project, Senator Vitter and I have worked hard to hold the VA’s feet to the fire and ensure they continue moving forward on this promised space. I will continue to hold the VA accountable and ensure they adhere to their timeline to provide this new space with expanded services for our veterans.” 

Rep. "Honor Code" Gets Caught in Another Lie

In a piece written by The Advocate on November 15, John Bel Edwards' campaign stated that he is not receiving any assistance from "cash stuffing" Cleo Fields.  As you remember, Fields was caught on federal surveillance cameras stuffing $20,000 into his pockets, but never explained the video surveillance.

Per the piece, Rep. "Honor Code" has said that Fields was a guest of someone else.

Well, it turns out that Edwards is not entirely honest.  I know, shocking coming from an Obama liberal Democrat.

Sen. David Vitter's campaign has unearthed a 30 second second ad with Fields endorsing Rep. "Honor Code".

“We need to elect a governor who cares about the people of our state and will put the people’s interests over his own ambition,” says Fields. “We need John Bel Edwards as our next governor.”

The ad ends with Edwards’ recorded voice saying that his campaign paid for the ad.

Also, the below mail piece with Fields prominently in place has been sent out:

I'm not really sure, but it appears to me that Rep. "Honor Code" is not living up to the rhetoric he's claiming in his commercials.  But, as previously pointed out, what do you expect from an Obama sycophant.

John Bel Edwards Issues an Ad of Oil and Gas Industry, But with One Problem.....

Buzzfeed has found stock photos used by the John Bel Edwards campaign in one of their latest campaign ads touting the oil and gas industry in the State of Louisiana.  One problem.  The photos were taken of platforms in California.

Per the original piece by Buzzfeed, the Edwards campaign has not responded for comments. 

Yet another instance of a dishonest Democrat.

John Bel Edwards Claims He Never Voted for Tax Increases in the Last Legislative Session

Photo source: Twitter

During the gubernatorial debate last night between John Bel Edwards and David Vitter, Rep. Edwards made the claim that he never voted for a tax increase during the 2015 Louisiana Legislative Session.  As noted in the release from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) last night, Edwards voted for more than $700 million in tax increases in the last session:

“Tonight, Rep. Edwards’ rhetoric on tax increases did not match his career voting record,” said Brian Landry, vice president of LABI Political Action. “He claimed he did not support tax increases last session, despite the fact he clearly helped raise them by at least $700 million. He also claimed he supports spending cuts and efficiencies, despite the fact he has vocally opposed them in the Legislature.”

In fact, Edwards did vote for tax increases, as evident in the approval of the final budget, which Edwards supported.

Edwards has a lifetime voting record of 29% with LABI, while Vitter has a lifetime voting record of 95%.  His rhetoric of being a "conservative" doesn't match up with his voting record regarding taxes and he shouldn't be trusted with the future of the Louisiana.  The budget crisis we are facing here in this state cannot be trusted in the hands of another liberal Obama Democrat.

Bobby Jindal Issues Executive Order To Block Refugees In Louisiana

Photo source: Facebook

Joining governors from several other states, Louisiana Gov.  Bobby Jindal has issued an Executive Order blocking Syrian refugees from entering the state. This is in response to Friday's attack by Islamic militants on several targets in Paris.

With this order,  Jindal joins governors from Texas, Michigan and Alabama, who have acted similarly in blocking the flow of refugees into their states.

Buddy Caldwell Has a History of Intimidation and Threats

Photo source: Facebook

A video released by Jeff Landry's campaign highlights intimidation efforts made by Buddy Caldwell while District Attorney in the 6th District.  The video can be found herewhich features Dan Kyle speaking of a meeting with Caldwell before he was elected to Attorney General in which Caldwell threatened Kyle for a report that highlighted improper expenses related to his office.

Landry's campaign released the following in an email release regarding this video:

A few years back, Mr. Caldwell was caught by the Legislative Auditor for abusing his local elected office by using your tax dollars to pay for personal expenditures. If that wasn’t bad enough, he took things a step further.

Mr. Caldwell aggressively confronted the Legislature’s Official Auditor, in what the Auditor and others described as a hostile manner. He used intimidation in an attempt to scare the Auditor from releasing his findings.

We have a bully and a long time Democrat that currently sits in the Attorney General's office that is the last vestige of the "good ol' boy" network in Louisiana.  It's time for Louisiana to elect a conservative to lead the fight against the liberal agenda of the federal government.  It's time to elect Jeff Landry.

John Bel Edwards Says He'll Continue to Work with Obama to Bring Syrians to Louisiana

Political Correctness Alert. Here is the translation of John Bel Edward’s Facebook post on Sunday night: "I will continue to work with Barack Obama to bring Syrians to Louisiana."

John Bel Edwards Skips a Discussion on Issues Regarding People of Faith for Fundraiser in a Nightclub

In what we reported yesterday, John Bel Edwards decided to skip a forum sponsored by local churches in Baton Rouge, as well as the Louisiana Baptist Message and the Louisiana Family Forum.  The Hayride has reported that the reason for the absence was due to Edwards' campaign attending a fundraiser at a New Orleans nightclub called Lyve New Orleans.  The Hayride also posted a photo of the Instagram account for this nightclub which is below:

Photo source: The Hayride

Edwards has been critical of Vitter's admitted past indiscretions and claims to be a man of "honor", but skips a forum on faith and family issues to attend a fundraiser at a nightclub of this sort?  Is this the "honor code" that Edwards lives by day in and day out? 

Voters need to wake up to the real John Bel Edwards.  He's a Barack Obama liberal and is not the moderate Democrat he makes himself out to be.  The election is less than two weeks away and the same state that rid itself of Mary Landrieu cannot turn this state back over to another Democrat.  Do the right thing and support the real conservative in this race, David Vitter.

Jeff Landry Leading Buddy Caldwell in Latest Hayride / MarblePort Poll

Photo source: The Hayride

As reported yesterday on The Hayride, the runoff for Louisiana Attorney General seems to be in Jeff Landry's favor over the incumbent, Buddy Caldwell.  The numbers indicate a large increase for Landry from previous polling numbers, which had Landry at 38%:

JEFF LANDRY 45.8% 

BUDDY CALDWELL 38.5% 

UNDECIDED15.7% 

Landry has earned the support of the endorsed Democratic candidate in the primary, Geri Broussard Baloney and this blog has reported the numerous endorsements for Buddy Caldwell that were either politically motivated or motivated for monetary reasons.

The election is less than two weeks away and Louisiana can finally rid the state of the corrupt practices of the "Buddy System."  Time for one last push for Landry to get to the finish line.

David and Willie

Photo source: YouTube  

The Vitter campaign has released another video highlighting Vitter's acknowledged failures, but emphasizing biblical redemption, with Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty. It also emphasizes needed leadership in Louisiana at this time, with Robertson showing obvious support for the Vitter campaign.   

Edwards’ Past Is Prologue: John Bel Puts Special Interests Ahead of Louisiana’s Interests

Recognizing that Louisiana is a ruby red conservative state, Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards has frequently sought to attract crossover Republican voters by distancing himself from President Barrack Obama and national Democrats claiming he would bring a centrist approach to the governor’s mansion.

Edwards desperately wants voters to believe he is a moderate who will “put Louisiana first.” But his history as a state lawmaker suggests he’s likely to behave differently. In fact, Edwards’ record shows his priorities and values are far closer the job-killing special interest groups bankrolling his campaign than they are to those held by most mainstream Louisiana voters. 

Consistent with the playbook for Obama and many other Washington liberals, Edwards’ top two campaign contributors are plaintiffs’ lawyers and unions. During his legislative tenure, personal injury trial lawyers gave Edwards over $1 million.  In 2015 alone, they contributed over $685,000 in support of Edwards’ gubernatorial campaign, in addition to the $328,000 that they gave him from 2008 to 2014 while he served as their point man and spokesperson in the statehouse.

What’s more, John Bel Edwards is a trial lawyer by trade, and as a state lawmaker he aggressively opposed any attempt to bring fairness and balance to Louisiana’s broken legal system.  He also consistently supported bills to increase lawsuits and legal fees for his friends.

In 2010, he supported a bill that would have allowed trial lawyers working on contingency fee contracts to make hundreds of millions of dollars off of the state’s settlement with BP over the Gulf oil spill. 

In 2012, Edwards opposed a compromise bill that sought to put environmental clean ups ahead of trial lawyer profits in contamination lawsuits.

In 2014, Edwards led opposition to every lawsuit fairness bill that was introduced, aggressively fighting against legislation that would:
·    Eliminate Louisiana’s $50,000 jury trial threshold and give citizens greater access to our courts;
·    Rein in Louisiana’s lax venue laws, which currently allow plaintiffs’ lawyers to shop around for friendly judges in jurisdictions like New Orleans in hopes of winning huge million-dollar payouts; and
·    Prevent abusive “double dipping” in asbestos litigation and help preserve money for individuals who are truly injured.

In 2014, he also opposed reforms to increase transparency and accountability in the Louisiana Attorney General’s office and stood by AG Buddy Caldwell, even after widespread media reports revealed Caldwell routinely handed out lucrative legal contracts to his top campaign contributors.

Throughout his eight years in the Louisiana Legislature, Edwards put lawyers and legal profits ahead of jobs and the small businesses and employers who provide them.  It would be a mistake to believe he would do anything different as governor.

Melissa Landry, of Baton Rouge, is executive director of the legal watchdog organization Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch.

A Comparison of the Gubernatorial Candidates and the Issues

Photo source: blog.advocate.com

You can find a detailed assessment of the candidates and their stances regarding several issues important to the average Louisiana voter here.  Among the highlights of the comparison, the following stand out regarding Vitter and Bel Edwards:

Sen. David Vitter:

1. Supports Industry Incentives: Supports the oil and gas industry and understands the needs for a competitive and stable tax structure and incentives in order to attract investment to Louisiana. He is open to the idea of bringing back the inactive well incentive.
2. Against Abusive Lawsuits: Supports the industry’s efforts to bring common sense solutions to end abusive lawsuits that have cost the state tens of thousands of jobs and millions in incentives and have resulted in little to no environmental remediation.
3. Opposed Levee Board Lawsuit: Supported industry efforts to oppose and end the $10 billion lawsuit against 99 oil and gas companies that was filed by a renegade levee board.
4. Supports the Office of Conservation: Supports the Office of Conservation as the primary regulatory authority to issue oil and gas permits. He continually supports the efforts of Helis in St. Tammany Parish against small pocket groups of environmentalists that want to ban drilling in their parish.
5. Fought the Obama Agenda: He led the fight against amnesty for illegals, funding for Planned Parenthood, higher taxes, and spending.
6. Strongly opposed to Obamacare: Vitter passed legislation to force Obama and Congress to participate themselves in Obamacare. He also refused lucrative taxpayer funded subsidy for himself.
7. Strong Pro-Second Amendment Advocate: The only candidate rated A+ by the NRA and endorsed by Gun Owners of America.

Rep. John Bel Edwards:

1. Opposes Incentives: Wants to repeal the horizontal investment incentive that will discourage investment in the most active areas of the state like the Haynesville Shale, the Cotton Valley and ultimately the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale.
2. Opposes Solutions to Lawsuits: Has opposed every effort by the industry to bring resolution to the Legacy Lawsuit issue through the legislative process.
3. Opposed Any Legislative Effort to End Suit: Opposed every legislative effort brought by industry to bring an end to the abusive lawsuit brought by the Levee Board.
4. Supports Efforts of Local Government to Sue: Supports the efforts of local government to sue the Office of Conservation and numerous oil and gas companies in order to block drilling in their parish, granting control to local government over the oil and gas industry.
5. Edwards is All-in for Obama: Voted for Obama twice; personally nominated Obama again in 2012 at the Democratic National Convention.
6. Strongly Supports Obamacare: Edwards voted multiple times in support of key Obamacare provisions.
7. Weak on the Second Amendment: Edwards voted numerous times in support of government restrictions on gun rights.
   
    

John Bel Edwards Will Not Be Attending Forum in Baton Rouge Tonight

The following email was sent to various sources last night advising that the Bel Edwards campaign will not be taking part in a discussion on social and economic issues important to people of faith scheduled for Thursday, 11/12/15 in Baton Rouge. 

We have been informed by the Edwards campaign that he will not be in attendance.  We still welcome your attendance at the even as we believe the issues which will be discussed are of great interest to Louisianians. In addition, the event will be streamed live at www.jeffersonbaptist.org.  

Jefferson Baptist Church, The Louisiana Baptist Message, The Louisiana Family Forum, and Woodlawn Baptist Church have invited both Sen. David Vitter and Rep. John Bel Edwards to this forum.  Vitter has already committed to attending.

Is the reason that Bel Edwards won't be in attendance tonight because he is uncomfortable answering questions from people of faith or have to defend his support of Democrats who are openly opposed to these faith policies?  Just a thought................

Louisiana Governor's Forum in Baton Rouge

A debate has been scheduled for this Thursday, November 12, 2015, between Rep. John Bel Edwards and Sen. David Vitter. This debate is sponsored by local churches in Baton Rouge as well as the Louisiana Baptist Message and the Louisiana Family Forum.  This debate will cover social and economic issues important to people of faith and will be moderated by Lewis Richerson, Lead Pastor at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, and Will Hall, Editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Sen. Vitter has confirmed his attendance at this meeting, but as of this post, Bel Edwards' campaign has yet to respond.