Open letter to LA-06 voters:
As the final hour of the election approaches, I want to remind you of an important decision Barack Obama voters in LA-06 (Baton Rouge and neighboring areas) have to make on or before Nov 4. It is increasingly clear from the consensus of national and state polls that Sen. Obama is going to win the election and become our next President. Our congressional district, LA-06, must also elect a Congressman. The choices are current Rep. Don Cazayoux (Democrat), Dr. Bill Cassidy (Republican), and Michael Jackson (No party).
A recent Hotline article provides a snapshot of the race
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in the Baton Rouge-centered LA-06, newly-minted Rep. Don Cazayoux (D) has enjoyed some surprising leads in recent Dem polling. But with the presence of a third-party Dem, and a strong GOPer, this GOP-tilting CD was bound to feature a close race on 11/4. But polling for state Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) suggests we may already have a nail-biter.
The Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates' survey shows that Cazayoux leads 38-36%, with Dem state Rep. Michael Jackson (I) taking a very large 14%. The poll was conducted 10/22-23, and included 300 LVs. The margin of error was 5.7%.
Jackson, an African-American, is a huge problem for Cazayoux. If he takes anywhere near the 14% on 11/4, Cazayoux may have no path to victory. Dems outnumber GOPers by a 50-28% margin, but in the 5/08 special election, a weak and tainted GOP nominee -- Woody Jenkins (R) -- pulled 46%. GOPers start with a strong base here, and Cazayoux needs to be able to count on every Dem vote for victory. Jackson robs him of that.
Cazayoux has a perfect profile -- he's socially conservative -- for a Dem in this CD. We'll see if that's enough to carry him over the finish line in Nov."
Each of us have to vote her or his conscience and I respect the decision of Obama supporters who vote for Mr. Jackson. Don is a member of the Blue Dog caucus and he is more conservative than many progressive voters would prefer. Some in LA-06 have argued that the Democratic Party should have supported Michael Jackson, an African-American, over Don, who is white. However, I have to point out that as opposed to Baton Rouge's popular African-American Mayor-President Kip Holden, Mr. Jackson has no chance of winning the broader LA-06 district which is whiter, more rural, and more conservative; and, persons who vote for Jackson are risking that we lose a friend of regular people and elect Dr. Cassidy, a guy who thinks George W Bush is doing a great job. In my opinion, a vote for Jackson is a vote against President Obama having the votes he needs to implement the agenda he has promised us. I can assure you that Dr. Cassidy will fight the Obama program tooth and nail. You may know that the White House sent Vice-President Dick Cheney to Baton Rouge last month for a private fund raising party for Cassidy.
I hope everyone who reads this will give serious consideration to supporting and voting for Don Cazayoux. I know Don and Cherie Cazayoux as friends and I can attest to their authenticity, compassion, and integrity. I would be more than happy to talk to anyone who wishes to ask me about Don Cazayoux and why I support him.
All the best and Barack the vote!
Owen Scott, III (sundiata)