We Have a Cao

Finally, Dollar Bill goes down. Some characterize the New York Times article on the result as blaming whites, but the point is valid. Voter turnout was critical in this district, which was specifically gerrymandered to elect an African-American representative, and whites turned out in greater numbers and likely overwhelmingly supported Cao. Cao will need to establish himself quickly in this district or be vulnerable in times of greater African-American turnout.

How Soon Some Forget

I must admit, I forgot much of Hillary Clinton's background, but Quiln Hillyer did not. Shows how messed up politics is that the right can be "happy" about Clinton because her perception now is a centrist while President Elect Obama is (was?) percevied as a leftist.

Did Obama fail to learn the lessons of the Treen administration?

Somehow, I don't think President-Elect Obama has given much though to how former Louisiana governor Dave Treen staffed his cabinet, but it's a valid point about the dangers of including opponents in the cabinet. Personally, I'm glad to see it because it's comparatively more centrist than expected.

Should Congress Have a Cao?

Native New Orleanian Quin Hillyer on "Dollar" Bill Jefferson's opponent.

The Associated List?

The Times-Picayune posts "Who's in the running for top jobs in Obama administration? Read a comprehensive list by The Associated List." Associated Press maybe? The Associated List would have more credibility these days though.

On the substance of the list, nothing new jumps out out me. Lots of Clinton retreads, which shouldn't be a bad thing compared to Republican fears during the election. Not much meet for the progressives who dreamed of Dennis Kucinich, Jimmy Carter or Tom Hayden for "Secretary Peace."

Good riddance

So Alaskans got rid of convict Ted Stevens. Puerto Rico ousts its indicted governor. New Orleans? Our mayor praises indicted "Dollar Bill" Jefferson, who will most likely be reelected the same week his trial is scheduled to begin. Sigh.

Jefferson indictment affirmed

The Fourth Circuit has refused to dismiss the indictments against William "Dollar Bill" Jefferson.

Possible bad sign for Jindal

Bobby Jindal is touted by many as the future of the Republican party. The Morning Advocate reports that conservative radio host Moon Griffon has quit the Republican party to become an independent over frustration with what he perceives as a lack of conservatism on Jindal's part. Griffon criticizes Jindal for initially supporting pay raises for state legislators then reversing his position in the face of public outrage and for being late to join in supporting a tax reduction for wealthier taxpayers.

Jindal's position on the pay raises was unfortunate and a classic example of playing politics with the legislative branch. Not sure what the deal was on the pay raise, nor how much influence Griffon has (he's not exactly Rush Limbaugh). But if the Republicans are going to try and reinvent themselves as "true conservatives," then Jindal will need to guard against such missteps or be subject to similar criticism from within the party.

H/T The Dead Pelican

Now they tell us

Big surprise here: Washington Post Admits Bias for Obama, Against McCain, Palin

But all the pols do this

Albeit usually figuratively: Pol Who Peed on Crowd Swears Off Booze

"Judicial Campaigns Bring Out the Worst"

Louisiana elects judges at all levels, which obviously creates some potential problems, but given some of the politicians who would have otherwise appointed judges, it was kind of a wash. Earlier I noted that one of the Supreme Court candidates was cited for violating judicial conduct rules. James Gill notes in today's Times-Picayune that in our most recent judicial elections in Orleans and Jefferson Parish, both of the winners were subject to public statements by the Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee.

Compare and Contrast

The stories about the NC teacher captured on film reducing her student to tears for supporting McCain with this story by an LSU professor about how the kind words of an African American teacher led him away from his support of a segregationist. It's nice to hear of a college professor who professes not to judge his students' political views too harshly but to respect the fact that they care and understand that their views will evolve and broaden.

Broken Promises Nos. 1 and 1a

Obama said that lobbyists would have no place in his administration. Now, Politico reports that Obama "would prevent lobbyists from taking administration jobs in the same areas they had advocated for in their private practices." I actually agree with lobbyists who argue that it is not necessarily wise to bar lobbyists since they may have useful knowledge, but don't make promises you can't/won't keep-oh wait, that's politics. What is the over/under on broke promises in the new administration anyway?

Newsmax also references the hiring of Rahm Emanuel as a broken promise that there will be a new tone in Washington. Not so sure I agree for reasons previously stated, and that's a judgment call, so I won't add to the running total.

H/T Newsbusters via NeoconExpress

UPDATE: One-half of Obama's transition team thus far are or were registered lobbyists.

No Hope Here

No, not from me, but from native New Orleanian Quin Hillyer in his piece for The American Spectator. Not a pretty picture for what he anticipates for (less than) the next four years: at least two of the close senate elections stolen, continuing media cheerleading, etc. No question, absent some catastrophic missteps during the next two years, the Republicans won't turn around things for the next election in two years, probably longer. There's no message, no focus, and no Reaganesque champion. The Democrats, on the other hand, learned well from the hated Karl Rove. For all of the complaining from some conservatives about the Rahm Emanuel choice as chief of staff, he reminds me of Rove, who, of course, was deputy chief of staff for Bush II. I think the Republicans need to rediscover their cojones.

Presidential election impact on lawyers

The election of officials who may be plaintiff friendly always raises concerns for business. In one of our legal marketing group meetings last week, we discussed what growth areas there may be if Sen. Obama is elected, e.g., increased securities litigation if previous restrictions are lessened and labor law if card check is passed. Today, The Wall Street Journal weighs in on the issue.

Interestingly, both Sens. McCain and Obama voted for the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 ("CAFA"), and Sen. McCain has been criticized for not supporting tort reform as much as the Republican Party would like.

Only in Louisiana?

Can a Louisiana Supreme Court race generate a finding by the Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee that one of the sitting judges running for the seat violated judicial conduct rules. Though actually, this is pretty tame compared to past politics in Louisiana and goings on in other states like Ohio and New Mexico these days. Louisiana politics ain't what they used to be, thankfully, with our current governor and a Louisiana Supreme Court that is likely to be the most conservative that it has been in years.

Welcome

With the election winding down, I realized how much I enjoyed reading others' blogs and how little I will likely spend doing so from here on out, so decided to create my own. I'll blog about law, maybe politics (kinda burned out on that no matter the outcome), New Orleans, and whatever else I feel like.