Day: May 16, 2014

Thursday, May 15th, 2014
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

DARK MONEY DRIVING U.S. SENATE RACE!

Millions of campaign dollars from all over America are pouring into Louisiana in a calculated effort to influence the outcome of the state’s up and coming U.S. Senate race. Incumbent democratic Senator Mary Landrieu is in the fight of her political life and republicans are leaving no stone unturned in an effort to beat her in November. But who is going to decide the outcome of this race — voters in Louisiana or political PACs in Washington, D.C.?

Landrieu’s main opponent, so far, is incumbent 6th district congressman Bill Cassidy, although several other republican challengers have been making headway in recent weeks. Conservative republican Tea Party candidate Rob Maness picked up the support of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin last week, and his supporters feel this gives his campaign a much-needed shot in the arm. The one thing all these candidates have in common is their obsessive desire to gather financial and political help from outside the state.

National super PACs are running the show in the senate race, and the dark money from non-Louisianans will continue to pour into the Bayou State. Yes, we here in Louisiana know this is a big race. Political prognosticators from all over America continually tell the rest of the country that the winner in Louisiana could decide whether democrats or republicans control the U.S. Senate. But even with so much supposedly at stake, should outside money be the deciding factor in who represents the interests of Louisiana in Washington?

Louisiana is notorious for weak campaign disclosure laws, allowing big money from numerous outside groups to go unreported. And even if the PAC itself is listed, it becomes a front since the donors themselves stay secret. Financial reports show that as of now, Mary Landrieu has raised about half of all her campaign money form out of state. Congressman Cassidy has raised some 30% of his campaign funds from non Louisiana donors, but expect these percentages to rise dramatically in the weeks to come. Continue Reading…………….