By Lisa YatesEditor
Fewer than 30 percent of Louisiana's 2.9 million voters cast ballots in the recent Oct. 4 election, but if early voting is any indication – the Nov. 4, 2008 election will be one of historic proportions, at the national, state and local levels.
A reported 1,347 registered voters in Calcasieu Parish came to the registrar of voters' office on Oct. 21, for early in-person voting.
The main attraction on the ballot – the presidential race between Democrat Barack Obama, with running mate U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, and Republican John McCain, with his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.For the first time in the history of this country, Americans will have either a black president, or a female vice president.
Local party chairmen agreed that the election of 2008 will be a historic election.
Tore Carlberg, chairman of Calcasieu PEC of the Republican Party, and R. Michael McHale, chairman of the Calcasieu Parish Democrat Party, shared their views with The Times, on Oct. 22, in separate interviews.
“I'm glad to be living at this historic time,” Carlberg said. “It's an exciting time.”
McHale called this election a “turning point” in American history.
“This demonstrates just far we've come as a nation,” he said. “We've just celebrated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote and it has been less than 50 years since the Civil Rights movement. It says a lot about us as a country and as a people.”
McHale also attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver as the First Vice Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party.
“It was a very historic moment,” he said. “It is something I will be telling my kids and grandkids for years to come, bragging that I was there.”
It's important to mention that there are other choices on the ballot for president, including candidates from the Green Party, Constitution Party, Independent Party, Louisiana Taxpayers Party, and the Socialist Workers Party.
Many issues are driving voters to the polls, but local party leaders disagree when it comes to the biggest concern.
“Frankly, the average voter here in Calcasieu Parish is mostly concerned with abortion,” Carlberg said. “If Obama gets elected, he will have the opportunity to appoint Supreme Court justices, who will uphold abortion. I think that's the No. 1 issue.”
McHale said the biggest concern seems to be the economy.
“At the moment, it's easily the economy that is driving voters to the polls,” he said. “People are afraid that it could be 1929 all over again. People are concerned about their future and their children's future.”
He said many fear the “American Dream” is in danger.
“I'm not talking about the big house with the white picket fence, American Dream,” McHale said. “I'm talking about the American Dream of people having more opportunities than the generation that came before them.”
In addition to the historic presidential race, Louisiana's voters will decide a hotly contested U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu and her challenger, Republican state Treasurer John Kennedy.
Landrieu is seeking a third six-year term. McHale touted her seniority as vital to Louisiana's interests.
“Mary Landrieu is a huge asset to the state of Louisiana, particularly when recovering from three hurricanes, which nearly wiped South Louisiana off the map,” he said. “She fights for Louisiana; and, people want someone with a proven track record. She has a record of working with both Democrats and Republicans to get things done; and, I believe she will be re-elected.”
Carlberg said he believes the challenger will emerge victorious.
“I am pleased that a man like John Kennedy is running,” he said. “As a state treasurer, he has no power. He tried to fight Gov. Foster and Gov. Blanco; and, he pointed out corruption when the numbers didn't work. He's a fighter.
“Now, he's running against a powerful New Orleans group. But, New Orleans is no longer the largest city in the state – Baton Rouge is. So, I think she's vulnerable. Woody Jenkins almost beat her. I think he (Kennedy) has a good chance.”
Three other candidates will also be on the ballot for the U.S. Senate seat, including: Richard Fontanesi, a Libertarian from Baton Rouge; Jay Patel, “No Party” of Hammond; and, Robert Stewart, “Other Party” of New Orleans.
Candidates for the 7th Congressional District include two-term incumbent Charles Boustany, a Republican; state Sen. Don Cravins Jr., a Democrat; and, Eunice businessman Peter Vidrine, representing the Constitution Party.
This congressional race is expected to boost local turnout also, according to McHale. He said that local people are ready for a change.
“Charles Boustany's voting record shows that he is more concerned about the Republican Party than he is about Louisiana,” McHale said. “He's suffering from so-called 'Rita Amnesia' in that he has not been a successful advocate for us in Washington.”
McHale quoted Tip O'Neil's famous line, “All politics is local.”
“Here in Southwest Louisiana we really want to get things done -- And, Charles Boustany hasn't been able to get things done,” he added.
Carlberg disagreed.
“I think the congressional race is riding on the coattails of the presidential election,” he said. “The incumbent is a hard-working man. He's a Republican in a Democrat-controlled congress; and, he's done an excellent job. I think enough people recognize that and will put him back in.”
Run-offs for judgeships in Calcasieu Parish include local attorneys Clayton Davis and Terry Johnson, whom are running for the Division B seat. While Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Clay Guillory-Lands and Public Defenders' Office Director Ron Ware are candidates for the Division H seat. (See the Enterprise Boulevard story on page ???.)
Also on the ballot will be seven state constitutional amendments.
The League of WoMen Voters of Baton Rouge suggests visiting the Web site www.la-par.org/Publications/PDF/ConstAmends2008.pdf, which is an analysis of the constitutional amendments researched by the Public Affairs Research Council.
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State's Web site (www.sos.louisiana.gov), there are 2,901,588 registered voters in Louisiana. Of that total, 65 percent are white, 31 percent are black, and 4 percent are other races. By party affiliation, 53 percent are Democrats, 25 percent are Republicans, and 22 percent are other parties.
McHale predicted a large number of these voters will turnout for the Nov. 4 election. While riding on board a bus tour touting the Obama-Biden ticket, he witnessed large crowds excited about this election.
“Recently, I've had the opportunity to travel all over the state,” he said. “I've never in my life seen so much excitement about an election. People are hungry for change and they want to be a part of history.”
Carlberg said he was “surprised and pleased” by the large number of voters who participated in early voting.
“In the last election, only about 24 percent of registered voters turned out – that was sad,” he said. “I'm encouraged that the absentee votes are up.”
He stressed that the No. 1 issue locally is abortion.
Carberg said he was moved listening to a pro-life speaker at a recent rally. He said the speaker was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a result of a failed abortion.
“A lot of people don't know this, but four times Obama brought up a bill that it was okay to kill babies,” he said. “While technically it might not be a baby at a certain stage, but it is murder.”
Carlberg also expressed concern about gun control and prayer in school.
“McCain is allowing us to keep our guns – and, a lot of people are nervous about that with times being like they are right now,” he said, adding concerns that the word “Christ” cannot be displayed on government buildings.
“You can't even pray at football games anymore,” Carlberg said. “America is a Christian nation.”
McHale added, partisan politics on each side is detrimental to America.
“Politics is about getting things done,” he said. “It's been too much about trying to get credit for somethings and shifting the blame for other things – it's become too partisan.”
McHale remembers a time when politicians could disagree with one another on issues, yet still behave civilly.
“That's a concern of mine,” he said. “Politics has become so nasty – so divisive. It should be about working together for the benefit of all Americans. That's what's really important.”
