A recent attack by the Louisiana GOP makes some good points but according to the campaign manager of Walter Boasso, it has made their campaign’s day.
According to an email sent by James Quinn of the LAGOP, the Executive Director of the Republican Party, “a Washington, D.C. newspaper just reported that a key State Sen. Walter Boasso advisor and national abortion advocate, Hildebrand Tewes, is at the center of an allegedly $100,000.00 embezzlement investigation.The Quinn statement said in, part, “that “Steve Hildebrand, founding partner of the Democratic consulting firm Hildebrand Tewes and key adviser to Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) presidential campaign, confirmed Thursday that Chad Schuldt was fired from his firm for allegedly embezzling ‘over $100,000.’
“According to Hildebrand, Schuldt - a Democratic political operative and Hildebrand’s longtime deputy - stole funds that were intended for the Internal Revenue Service to cover Hildebrand Tewes’ payroll taxes.”
Quinn has told Bayoubuzz that the selection of the firm shows that Boasso should be imputed with fault for hiring a firm whose top official was “allegedly caught” with some wrongdoing and that the hiring process buck stops at Boasso.He also stated that the Democratic firm chosen by Boasso was also hired to do pro-choice work for various campaigns.
Boasso shot back and his campaign manager Bradley Beychock told Bayoubuzz that the “GOP slam made their day” because it showed that the Jindal camp is concerned about Boasso.
In a written statement, the Boasso campaign said, “This extremely weak attack shows just how worried Mr. Jindal and the Republicans are now that people are connecting with Walter's message and Mr. Jindal's support is dropping like a rock. To talk about ethics and corruption with a straight face must be very difficult for Mr. Jindal considering that from the day he walked into Congress, he has cuddled up with DC's most corrupt and ethically challenged members. He voted to weaken ethics rules, protect corrupt members of his own party like Tom Delay and protect the revolving door between government and the lobbying industry.”
“Bobby Jindal's so-called "War on Corruption" is about as sincere as his telling Louisiana voters that the war in Iraq is an "impossible task" while backing the President on it 100% of the time when he's in Washington.”
Beychock said that the firm had done a tremendous amount of work for many candidates and issues and that the Boasso campaign should not be responsible for one of their consultant’s accountants.Quinn had previously mentioned to Bayoubuzz that the employee was a high official and that Boasso had paid over ten thousand dollars to the firm.
Which raises a number of issues:
What will be Boasso’s position regarding “abortion choice” now that he is a Democrat and could be the leading Democratic contender?Governor Blanco, also a Democrat has been a strident pro-life Governor, so just being a Democrat might not necessarily be a pro-choice Democrat.Boasso’s position needs definition since he is not the only democratic candidate in the field with Foster Campbell nipping at his heal.
When is Bobby Jindal going to take off the gloves and fight his own fight?For too long, Jindal has projected an image of being the “nice guy”.David Vitter was supposed to run interference for him but that has been neutralized and the Vitter-GOP and Jindal relationship has hit a sour note.For too long, the Louisiana GOP has acted as Jindal’s surrogate and now it is apparent that Jindal prefers to play the “high-road” and let others do the dirty work.Jindal is a fine intelligent man and can handle matters on his own.Too much interference by the Louisiana GOP for their adopted candidate, Bobby Jindal will backfire on Jindal.For now, the Louisiana Democratic Party has not come out four-square for Boasso or Foster Campbell but if and when they do, their acting as a proxy will help some, but, will hurt in the long run.Just look at the Jindal drop in the polls when the LAGOP slammed John Breaux.Voters want the candidates to do their own talking and their own walking;That also means their own attacking.
How much of an impact did the Boasso television ads have on the Jindal campaign?
It appears obvious that with Vitter being lost as “interference” with the Boasso attack piece and with John Georges slam against Jindal (for not standing strong with Vitter) early this week that there might be some softening of the Jindal support right now.Southern Media will be doing a poll to check out the current waters.
Jindal, Georges, and Foster Campbell are running media ads and Boasso will surely begin to run more especially if he is able to refuel his war-chest which is currently on low given the massive ad buy this spring.
Attorney General
Say what you want about AG Charles Foti, but, some believe he might be fighting for what he thinks is right on the Pou case.However, some believe he is doing the trial attorney’s dirty work.Some attorneys have filed suit against MemorialHospital, the scene of the Pou debacle.Still, his insistence to proceed with the case could cost him his job.Bayoubuzz attempted to find his campaign web site for information and it was either hard to find or not there.Members of the medical and business community are angry at him to taking the Pou case which had its roots during Katrina worse days. Some of those individuals believe that Foti is being motivated by the trial attorneys.John Maginnis Fax Weekly is reporting that Treasurer John Kennedy might be looking at the Attorney General position should Foti either decide not to run or wither politically.However, Foti does have a war chest with over one million dollars so he certainly could be a contender.
This election is far from over and the key question is who will be at the starting post?
Nagin and High Office
What office, if any, will Ray Nagin seek this fall?When I talked to him on Saturday, he said he was going to stay as Mayor, but he did not close the door on running for higher office.It seems the only office he would want would be Governor—should he decide to put his name in the hat.
I might be one of the only folks openly willing to state that I like Ray Nagin.I have always found his openness to be refreshing, even if sometimes his words have come back to haunt him and New Orleans and even if he has angered me with some of his racial statements?For almost two years, his city has been running on empty in terms of money and the money flow emanated from the federal government and the state.Of all of the players in the Katrina world stage, I fault him the least.His administration has had no money.What does it say when the Ford Foundation had to finance his Recovery Czar staff.However, he should put closure to the rumors and allegations that he might run.He could have answered by question by saying, “I am going to remain as Mayor and I will not under any circumstances run for any other office, this fall”.
New Orleans is still trying desperately to recover.It needs a full-time mayor, not a political speculator.Its citizens want its Mayor and Recovery Czar to stay home, to take care of the crime problem and to continue to work very hard on economic development.He can use his war chest to buy chips for the city as a new legislature with so many new officials enters the fold.
He can build his legacy as rebuilding the City of New Orleans and truly be the “come back” kid.It is time for him to put to rest all ideas of running for statewide higher office and do the job for which he was elected.His enthusiasm is refreshing, although it is quite understandable that he would be tired.But, he should stay on the job and do the work and stay in town or get off the payroll.When Katrina hit New Orleans, the City should have been and must still be Job One.
Thank you Out here in the fields for the kind words and vote of confidence. Eighty-three days to go and we can let our voices be heard!
Written by Tony G
on 7/28/2007
Hit 'em hard Tony G!!!!!! We need independent thinkers like you willing to stand up and speak out against the trash that is breaking our States back, and Louisianians bank account not to forget their spirit as well. God Bless you. (Hey Tony, I appreciate your candidacy, if it doesn't go as well as you hope, do you think you can team up with Walter Boasso?) I am not saying anything negative, so don't get me wrong, but the State needs people like you in a leadership capacity billet, even as a State Auditor or something...... Just a thought.... God Bless you mightely
Written by Out here in the fields.
on 7/28/2007
You rile people up and they talk long enough and you can figure out who they are! Ray you're so predicitbale. Since when is repeating news and current events bad mouthing? I guess when the news says something bad about Jindal they're biased! You're a trip man. Just so everybody here can get a feeling for what I do,I'm a shift Supertintendent, I'm responsible for a billion and half dollars of equipment and product. As well as the safety of personnel and the local envirionment. I believe that it's a little more responsibility then being a convenience store manager.
IT's quite obvious Ray you do not have a clue what it takes to separate hydrocarbons into saleable product, it just doesn't magically appear at the gas station. I'm just an everyday person with good common sense. I believe it's time we inject some common sense into state government. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see or feel the woes of our state. It wont take one to pull us out either. I have been a successful leader holding on to two key principals, repsonsibilty and accountability. I can make the gutsy decisions and stand up to the opposition until a positive outcome is achieved. We need a leader that wont cave into outside pressure and belly up. For the last twenty years I have proven I'm that type of leader and I'm recognized and respected by my managers and piers. Runnning as an Independent gives me the advangtage of not having a party pulling at me. I have learned to be objective and don't have a problem pulling resources or ideas from either side of the ailse as long as it it is good for the people of Louisiana. Objectivity is a must for our next Governor. Too many issues to try and run blindsided and ripshod thorugh the state legislature. We need to harness everyone for one goal, minimize partisan politics for the betterment of Louisiana. Face it there are 300 million people in the United States. Four million live in Louisiana, that means the other 296 million live elsewhwere. IT's time to take care of ourselves. I have been called many names by Jindal supporters, I have been threatened five times by Jindal supporters in various degrees from physical harm to making sure I lose my job for talking about Jindal. I'm still here because I believe what I am doing is right the thing. I'm still standing and my supprot grows everyday Nat. Is it enough, I can't answer that but I can tell you that you would be surprised. Dellusional? No, I'm an eternal optimist because I believe with God all things are possible!
Written by Tony G
on 7/27/2007
Someone has been working in a refinery for 20 years?? Jindal sure can't make that kind of claim. When has Jindal been in anything of a "real world" type job?
Written by Richard P.
on 7/27/2007
Tony G (Tony Gentile) is a fraud.
As had been written about him, he has No Money, No Experience, No education, No Organization and No Campaign staff.
He has never been elected to anything in has live, and never will be.
He still works at the Exxon.Mobil refinery in Chalmette where he's been for 20 years. He is not and an executive at the refinery, he wear a Exxon uniform and a hard hat.
He has so little experience, Exxon won't even let him run a corner conveience store selling gasoline, beer, cigarette and lotto tickets.
And he thinks he can manage thousand and thousands of state employees, and manage billions of dollars in the state budget.
So Exxon won't let him run a corner store, what do you think the people of Louisiana will do with him. Tony has reach the highest level of his employement at Exxon, because he has NO Education.
So if Exxon won't let him handle money and planning after twenty, you think taxpayers of Louisiana should. Are you willing to allow on the job training for the highest elected office in our state?
Tony G's only reason for being in this Govenor's race it to bad-mouth Congressman Jindal. The only campaigning Tony does is on the internet. And he trys to hit as many of the forums as he can to Bad Mouth Bobby Jindal.
Don't take Tony crap serious, he's a straw candidate out to bad mouth Jindal.
Written by Ray Boudreaux
on 7/27/2007
Tony G (Tony Gentile) is a fraud.
As had been written about him, he has No Money, No Experience, No education, No Organization and No Campaign staff.
He has never been elected to anything in has live, and never will be.
He still works at the Exxon.Mobil refinery in Chalmette where he's been for 20 years. He is not and an executive at the refinery, he wear a Exxon uniform and a hard hat.
He has so little experience, Exxon won't even let him run a corner conveience store selling gasoline, beer, cigarette and lotto tickets.
And he thinks he can manage thousand and thousands of state employees, and manage billions of dollars in the state budget.
So Exxon won't let him run a corner store, what do you think the people of Louisiana will do with him. Tony has reach the highest level of his employement at Exxon, because he has NO Education.
So if Exxon won't let him handle money and planning after twenty, you think taxpayers of Louisiana should. Are you willing to allow on the job training for the highest elected office in our state?
Tony G's only reason for being in this Govenor's race it to bad-mouth Congressman Jindal. The only campaigning Tony does is on the internet. And he trys to hit as many of the forums as he can to Bad Mouth Bobby Jindal.
Don't take Tony crap serious, he's a straw candidate out to bad mouth Jindal.
Written by Ray Boudreaux
on 7/27/2007
Jindal is nothing but a lifelong bureaucrat who's developed his ties with the likes of Mike Foster and then David Vitter. Either Boasso or Georges comes off as more "gubernatorial" and indeed would make a better governor. All Jindal has done as a congressman has been to take orders from the national GOP and Bush. Say what you want about Blanco but Blanco at least is her own person and at times has indeed shown some backbone in pushing her own agenda. Jindal has no backbone and no agenda, either, other than to do the bidding of his master(s). The problem for him is in how his masters are lately having the wheels come off their wagon nationally. Bush will go down in history as one of the worst presidents ever, especially in terms of competence, and as tyrannical as Nixon but definitely without any of Nixon's redeeming intellectual qualities. Boasso can score a lot of points in pointing out that with Democrats most likely looking to take control of the White House and also probably increase their presence in Congress it's not in La.'s interests at all to have such a devoted Bushie like Jindal in the governor's mansion. Another issue is in how Bush has totally forgotten about his promises and lost any interest in the flood protection and coastal restoration we need, with the sycophantic Jindal voting the Bush line, as opposed to the interest of his supposed home state on this. If all Jindal seems to be trying to is coast the rest of the way on through to election day he isn't about to change any perception that he's just an uncaring bureaucrat who's very dependent on his masters and who is also much of a wimp, perhaps not unlike George Bush the father. Of course, Jindal is smart. He can think, no doubt, but he cannot or does not think or act independently and as a result Jindal's support indeed is soft. Many of the "Mike Foster voters" who could not bring themselves to cast their lot with Mike Foster's boy wonder in 2003 will find much to like in Boasso while many in the GOP "business class" contingent will find much to like in Georges.
Written by Richard P.
on 7/27/2007
Tony. Just read your response. Me thinks you are in some form of denial. According to you, the independent....I repeat, independent polls are inaccurate. And your opinion, "his numbers would be cut in half if..........",me thinks you are in some sort of anti-Jindal dreamworld. But that's o.k. and you have that right. I just hate to see you in such strong denial about Jundal's popularity out there. Not everyone likes him nor will everyone vote for him. Just know that he knows the magic numbers....50% + one vote. I might suggest, his opponents are doing the obvious, trying to come after him and get some of his votes for themselves. I suggest the possibility they might need to go after their other opponents and take away those votes, otherwise run the risk of( and I say this sincerely as a worst case scenario) Jindal getting 45% in the primary and the others all getting 15% and none of them with any shot to win in a runoff. SOmeone in that crowd needs to try and get to 30% + and at least have a slim shot in a runoff. They are really coming after the wrong votes right now.They need to challenge the others, first. But Tony, I do enjoy your passion. I do not yet consider you to be dillusional
Written by nat
on 7/27/2007
Thank you Wut's up! You to strongconcrete for the compliment!
Written by Tony G
on 7/27/2007
Bella! Bella! Detto in modo bello! Non si dimentichi mai con il dio che tutte le cose sono possibili! Peace out Hombre
Written by Wut's up?
on 7/27/2007
Hmmm,, Bobby Jindal, Walter Boasso and?????? Bobby for some strange reason just HAS to be governor, he has experience on the Hill in D.C. Walter Boasso for some strange reason just HAS to be governor, he did a heck of job in causing levee consolidation into fruition, and he has busted his tail for St. Bernard Parish and other parishes as well. Tony G, seems like a pretty good guy as well. Decisions, decisions, decisions. I would like to see all three of them as Governor, At the same time. Hmmmmmm........ 3 Governors at the state capitol? What a radical concept. Sort of diminishes the chances of cronism, nepotism, fraud, and abuse of the taxpayers? All three having to affix their signatures to a bill being introduced by that office, and all three to a Veto. Hmmmm..... the will of the people,,,,, could it be more effectively administered this way. Consider bungling Babs in the dawn of the Katrina confusions. Now that is one poor example of a person that needed, and continues to need help to this very day. But she is off and about flying around trying to Pirate a business for Louisiana. The eye patch fitted here well during the legislative session. Blind in one eye, and unfocused in the other......... Just a thought. Imagine all the people, living life in peace.................
Written by Strongconcrete
on 7/27/2007
I'm just a regular guy with good common sense! Stiamo andando oscillare questo dichiariamo con una vittoria upset! Non si dimentichi mai con il dio che tutte le cose sono possibili. Sto andando tagliare i reugns e lasci questo dichiarare tolgono!
A little italian for my friends.
Written by Tony G
on 7/27/2007
You Tony G, you are wut's up. Rock and Roll dude!!!! Peace out Hombre
Written by Wut's up?
on 7/27/2007
Gotcha Wut's up!
Written by Tony G
on 7/27/2007
And then again, maybe two messages collided in cyberspace and merged as one? The immaculate inception? Perhaps there is some kind of cybernetic reaction going on in the world of the Gods of microprocessors? Heh, heh, wat a mirageee, I couldn't possibly consider the inconsiderable, but then again, perhaps, hey doc.......... Anyways, it sounds like a good question.... Wuts Up? Strongconcrete sure doesn't seem to be, it sort of seems to be on the downside of things. Ehh,,,, I guess that is some of those preconditions or groundwork innerworkings type of works....... Hey Tony G!!!!! Sting em in the arse!!!!
Written by Wuts up?
on 7/27/2007
Whoops, somehow I put Tony G's name down on the "Your Name" space for posting. I said................ "Hey Tony G, Sting em in the arse!!!!!!!!"
Written by Wut's up?
on 7/27/2007
Hey Sting 'em in the arse! what's up?
Written by Tony G
on 7/27/2007
Hey Tony G!!!
Written by Sting 'em in the arse
on 7/27/2007
Nat, Jindal missed the Crimfighters debate, 12,000 members, not too many of them happy he wasn't there. The LMA is in Monroe next weekend, Every Child matters two weeks later. Do you think he can afford to disrespect all these people and still maintain the polls that are very inacurate? His supposed lead woud be cut in half if not more if all the candidates were included. His campaign is like the house built on sand. He's got to come out into the bare knuckle world and take his lumps.
He duped the folks in District 1. He does have a core there but he better not be counting on 80,000 votes, they wont be there!
Written by Tony G
on 7/27/2007
Only a fool, paid to advise Jindal on winning this election, would tell him to get into a catfight with opponents that are trying desperately to do anything and everything to get him to acknowledge their existence and to have Jindal get into a catfight with those low polling individuals. Right now, the elcetion is so boring because every independent pollster says Jindal has an overwhelming lead and that the race is "his to lose". It is the end of July and the object is to win, and all you need is 50% + one vote. "Take the gloves off" against whom?
The man had 48% of the vote in the last election. At the very least, I believe everyone of those voters knows, more than ever with the Blanco fiasco, they had the right candidate in Jindal,and they are not going anywhere else. People know Jindal better than ever, and the others are trying to get known. The public knows his resume' and enough, to insure victory, are ready to hire him for the top state job. Only a fool would do anything differently than what he is doing, going around and selling himself and not dealing with low polling candidates. After Labor day, there will be debates and more heat thrown around by everyone. But, I repeat, the object is 50%+one vote. The object is not to please those that hunger for controversy. Hey Bobby, don't get suckered in "keep your powder dry", keep going around the state and talking about important issues and wait until its time. The time is not now. The thing I do agree with is I do wish the republican party leadership would just shut up. They do no good for this solid candidate. He needs no help from their mouths. They just cannot help themselves, and actually think they have some relevance to a victory. Just shut up, get your vote out, and enjoy the victory. I do realize, with some of these lamebrains who actually love some sort of perceived power trip, this is just wishful thinking on my part.
Written by Nat
on 7/27/2007
Nagin...leadership...used in the in the same sentence? No wonder after 2 years...the "recovery" continues. Any chance for Louisiana and NOLA to be taken seriously was lost when school bus Nagin was re-elected. The same gripes will be written this time next year thanks to the NOLA Mayor. Nagin...leadership? Yeah right.
Written by LT
on 7/27/2007
Steve:
You are absolutely correct in asking. when is Bobby Jindal going to take off the gloves and start talking for himself? We saw him take the nice guy aproach in the race against Blanco and he got his butt kicked. There are some of us Republicans that are beginning to beleive that he is only an over educated beaurocrat that has learned how to tap the deep pockets of the heavy duty republican donors....
Written by Bob
on 7/27/2007
"DOV" - You and steve need to check yourselves into the DePaul Mental Hospital, immediately!!! Have you not been paying attention to what the hell's been going on in our city with Nagin dragging it down into a pit of hell over the past two years? Like my question to steve, can you name just one (1) "MAJOR" accomplishment that Nagin has performed during his time in office? Can you explain why that it took Nagin nearly two (2) years to submit a rebuilding/organizational plan to the federal government??? Don't blame anyone other than Nagin. Crime is getting worse, rather than better!!! There are still thousands of filthy nasty, rat infested, blighted structures throughout the New Orleans area, and Nagin refuses to do one damn thing about it - why?, why? He absolutely refuses to sign even one (1) demolition order for removing those horrible structures!!! Why?, why? If Nagin were white, and a republican, would you be supporting him?? Be honest!!! PATRIOT WARRIOR.
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 7/27/2007
Oh, come on Jeff, you appear to be an intelligent human being, but your comments concerning "Ultra-Racist" Nagin, and the lack of federal funds is very disturbing! What the hell has he accomplished during his time in office over the past five (5) years, other than his sweetheart deal with SDT services? Don't you remember, right after the storm when the the scrap contractor in Houston offerred to remove all of the more than 200,000 flooded vehicles and boats from the city, at no cost, plus they would donate $100.00 per vehicle to the city??? Nagin turned the offer down, and awarded a Mobile, ala. firm, a $27 million contract to perform the same services? Why, why, why? I think that we all know WHY!!! You know damn well, that the federal government requested Nagin and the city for nearly two years, to submit a detailed rebuilding/organizational plan, and upon receipt and approval, would release $ millions, and $ millions worth of funding to the city. Nagin sat on his "red beans & rice filled butt", and did absolutely nothing!! He is a racist, an ego maniac, a totally incompetent manager, and arrogantly struts around like the cat that swallowed the mouse! How can you say anything favorable about a complete and total fool that he has been, and continues to hold back progress and rebuilding in the city of New Orleans? I'll bet you a million dollars that if Nagin were white, and a republican, that you would have demanded his impeachment a long, long time ago! Fair and balanced? Wrong, a thousand times over! People like you that continue to support Nagin are just as much to blame for the demise of a once great city as he and other incompetents!!! Very, very sad!! PATRIOT WARRIOR.
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 7/27/2007
Steve, You are absolutely right on target with Mayor Nagin... he is the right guy for the job and we need his full time leadership in town, all the time.
LAGOP Versus Boasso 
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