LA Lawmakers Stump On Health Care- "Extraordinary Energized Electorate In 2010"
by Deborah Barfield Berry - Shreveport Times (excerpt)

Louisiana lawmakers, like other lawmakers across the country, have taken the fight over health care reform back home, where constituents are packing town halls and listening to teleconferences in record numbers. The issue has fueled passionate debate and partisan bickering as lawmakers stake out positions and launch attacks; even though congressional elections are a year away, some lawmakers, particularly Republicans, already have made health care a campaign issue. "You're setting the stage for an extraordinary energized electorate in 2010," said Pearson Cross, a political scientist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Republican Sen. David Vitter plans to hold 19 town halls and forums this month, including six focused on health care. One is scheduled for Wednesday in Bossier City. "This is the biggest issue facing Congress and the American people, so obviously it's going to be part of any campaign debate," said Vitter, who is up for re-election next year. Louisiana lawmakers say they've had huge turnouts at town halls and meetings across the state. Health care has been the main topic.

Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu and Democratic Rep. Charlie Melancon have a tougher challenge as they defend their party's health care plan and respond to opposition from constituents. "They're getting it from both sides," Cross said. "Melancon will go to great lengths to avoid defending Obama's health care initiative," said Cross. "The question is whether he will be able to get out from under the weight of being a Democrat."