U.S. SENATE RACE: "The Trick To Throwing Mud Is Making It Stick"
by Robert Morgan - The Town Talk (excerpt)

Politicial Lagniappe: Senate Campaign Already Getting Dirty

Some politician -- and I don't remember which one -- once said, "The trick to throwing mud is making it stick." I think the same person said once you start mudslinging in a campaign, you can't let up.

According to U.S. Senate candidates Mary Landrieu, the incumbent Democrat seeking a third term, and State Treasurer John Kennedy, a born-again Republican seeking to unseat her, the mudslinging has started. Depending upon which candidate is posting the e-mail, it was the opposition turning this into a dirty campaign.

The Landrieu campaign announced a new commercial hit the airwaves Tuesday focusing on "Kennedy's office shopping and flip flopping." Apparently the intent of the advertisement is to paint Kennedy as some sort of political opportunist who keeps trying to get elected to another post while, at the same time, boasting about his successes in earning the state interest on its invested funds and saving money with good debt management.

Is that supposed to be some kind of indictment? If it is, a host of respected Louisiana politicians will have to come under the same charge. At least four governors were elected while serving as members of Congress: Edwin Edwards, Dave Treen, Buddy Roemer and Bobby Jindal.

The Landrieu camp has also sent out numerous press releases questioning Kennedy's integrity, competence and sincerity. The Kennedy campaign, meanwhile, has accused the opposition of putting out the "first negative ad."

"Politicians only launch the first negative TV ad of an election cycle for one reason, because they are losing," Leonardo Alcivar, communications director for the Kennedy campaign, is quoted as saying.

COMMENTARY: Governor Foster switched parties right before qualifying, Governor Roemer switched while serving as Governor and they are two of the most respected folks in Louisiana politics today.

Guess Mary also forgot that she served as a state representative, state treasurer and ran against both Foster and Roemer for Governor.

Who's the opportunist here? One more case of the politician pot calling the kettle black.