Displaying items by tag: Eddie Rispone

My my!  How things have changed.

It goes without saying that Eddie Rispone is in a surprise runoff with incumbent Democrat, John Bel Edwards for Louisiana Governor. Somehow, a very rich, but politically unknown, Rispone morphed into Donald Trump.  He, wore Trump  around his neck. He  covered himself with Trump cologne and met him at the alter last week along with fellow gubernatorial candidate and ardent Trump name-dropper, Congressman Ralph Abraham.

The results of the primary election on October 12 showed that Louisiana voters were rather interested in this campaign and the candidates. Either they realize that Louisiana is not doing well economically and want change, or they want four more years of John Bel Edwards as Governor. Regardless, 200,000 more voters participated in this election than in the 2015 election. It is a good sign that turnout increased despite a major LSU vs. Florida football game scheduled for Election Day.

For months I have been imploring President Donald Trump to get involved in the Louisiana Governor’s race before the primary election. Initially, it was reported that he would only come to Louisiana for the run-off election.

However, it soon was apparent to this commentator that without the President’s involvement, liberal Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards would probably win the election on October 12 by achieving 50% or more of the votes, thus precluding the need for a run-off election.

After the start of early voting and days before Election Day, President Donald Trump decided to intervene in the Louisiana Governor’s race. The intent of his Tuesday morning tweet was unmistakable. He wants to help both Republican candidates, businessman Eddie Rispone and U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham, and force incumbent Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards into a “runoff.” The President urged Republicans to vote for “either” of the candidates, referring to them as “both Great.”  

In politics, negative commercials are typical. Experts believe that it works, not in boosting turnout for the candidate attacking, but in reducing support for the candidate on the receiving end.

Thus, voters see it in almost every race. Although consultants, candidates and voters claim they do not like this form of political persuasion, it is pervasive, especially when challengers are trying to catch up to a leading candidate.

As a political issue in the Louisiana governor's race, how important is e-cigarettes or vaping? What about the Louisiana budget and corporate taxes?

These three issues started the first televised statewide debate Thursday night as Democrat incumbent governor, John Bel Edwards clashed with two Republicans--Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone over these and other issues.

The debate was hosted by LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication and Nexstar Media Group TV stations, airing around the state on radio and television and online.

If there is anything to say about this Louisiana governor's race polls this year, they appear to be rather consistent compared to prior years in terms of the potential ceiling for Governor John Bel Edwards.  The surveys that I have seen have put Edwards close to "but no cigar" getting the necessary 50% plus one vote to avoid what would likely be a brutal contest runoff.

In an interview today (approximately 3:36:30 mark) on the Ringside Politics radio show, M-F 7-11 a.m. CT WGSO 990-AM & www.Wgso.com, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise expressed his displeasure with the new attack ad launched by GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone against fellow Republican candidate, U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham. Scalise said “I don’t think Republicans should be attacking Republicans.”

On Monday, Rispone scorched Abraham in a commercial airing on statewide media markets. The ad hits Abraham for missing too many votes in Congress and not following through on a commitment to donate his congressional salary. It also claims that Abraham used his congressional salary to purchase a $500,000 airplane. In addition, the commercial ties Abraham to Nancy Pelosi, noting that they have voted together 300 times, and mentions that he backed away from President Trump after the “Access Hollywood” recording was released.

Louisiana is the only state in the South and the most conservative state in the nation with a Democrat Governor. Donald Trump earned 58% of the vote in Louisiana in 2016 and there is a decent chance that a Governor who supported Hillary Clinton will be re-elected on October 12 without being forced into a run-off.

Governor John Bel Edwards is a Democrat with conservative views on social issues such as gun rights and abortion. However, he also has liberal fiscal policies. Nonetheless, he is is in a comfortable lead in the homestretch of the race.

When qualifications for elections in Louisiana concluded recently, only two of the seven statewide officials are facing major and well-funded opposition.  Incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards faces eight challengers including five republicans. But only two GOP candidates are considered serious; Congressman Ralph Abraham from Northeast Louisiana and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone.