Don't Count Louisiana Out

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Thursday October 23, 2008 · 12:45 AM PDT

2008/10/23 · 00:45

As one of the small handful of active progressive bloggers from the Great State of Louisiana, I understand the conventional wisdom: Louisiana is a red state, unworthy of attention, off of the map, and not a part of the battleground.

I also understand that with less than two weeks left, it'll be difficult to change the conventional wisdom about the Great State of Louisiana. But, for whatever it's worth, I'm compelled to provide my argument (and defense) of my home-- and why I think it would be unwise and premature to count Louisiana out.

Earlier today, I asked Markos if he would consider assigning Research 2000 to poll Louisiana. We haven't been polled here in nearly a month; one poll showed McCain up 15, another showed him up by 7, a significant difference. I have reason to distrust both polls. Unfortunately (though understandably), R2K will be unable to poll Louisiana during the next two weeks; they already have their assignments, and I thank Markos for his recognition of Louisiana's compelling merits.

Let's spell them out:

Obama won the Louisiana Democratic primary.

McCain lost the Louisiana Republican primary. Huckabee won.

Louisiana's population is between 29% to 31.5% African-American, the second-highest per capita population of African-Americans in the country.

The Obama campaign has been establishing campaign offices throughout the entire State, including an office in my hometown of Alexandria.

In Louisiana, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by nearly two to one.

Bill Clinton won the Great State of Louisiana in 1992 and 1996.

In his race for Lt. Governor, Democrat Mitch Landrieu received more total votes than Republican Bobby Jindal received in the same election, during his race for Governor. Jindal won with 53% of the vote with a 24% voter turn-out, hardly a landslide.

Louisiana has a long and storied history of electing Democrats.

The notion that McCain is leading by 15 points would require one to believe that he is, by far, the most popular politician in the State.

Democrat Mary Landrieu is ahead by double digits in her Senate race against Republican John Kennedy.

The Louisiana State House and Senate are majority Democratic.

In short, I believe we are all neglecting and ignoring Louisiana at our own peril, and yes, though I may be biased, I hope we will show Louisiana some much-needed love and respect during the next week and a half.

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