Jeff Crouere: Edwards: A Steal For Kerry In Louisiana And South

(Bayou Buzz) "As part of his “Front Porch Tour” Senator John Edwards (D-North Carolina) visited New Orleans to meet with middle class voters and union members. Democrats are hoping that Edwards can connect with swing voters in the South, as well as those who have not been touched by the improving economy.  In his stump speech, Edwards talks of “two Americas” and appeals to those who have feel left out of the improving economy, like many voters in Louisiana. In fact, ever since the mid 1980’s, Louisiana has been facing tough economic times, while other parts of the country have prospered.  Many people in Louisiana are poor or struggling to stay in the middle class and Edwards might be able to connect with this large pool of voters.
In his tour, Edwards visited other Southern battleground states like Florida and North Carolina.  As of now, the South is still Bush Country, but Edwards gives the Democrats a better chance in a few Southern states, like Louisiana. In 2000, George W. Bush carried Louisiana comfortably over Al Gore, winning by eight percentage points. However, of all of the Southern states, Louisiana may be the most supportive of the Democratic Party.
Louisiana has two Democratic U.S. Senators and a Democratic Governor. In the last three campaigns for statewide elected offices that were open seats, the Democrats have prevailed. Of the seven current statewide elected officials, all but one are Democrats. In terms of voter registration, the Democrats enjoy a 2-to1 advantage over Republicans in Louisiana. In the Louisiana Legislature, Democrats control close to 2/3 of the seats. Despite this good news for Democrats, their presidential nominee is not very popular in the South. John Kerry is viewed as a rich, out-of-touch, patrician, Northeastern liberal. In fact, the National Journal ranks Kerry as the most liberal U.S. Senator, a fact that the Bush campaign will relish reminding Southern voters. The South is the most conservative area of the country, so Kerry will have a challenge connecting with voters in Louisiana and other Southern states. In previous elections, Northern liberals, such as Michael Dukakis, Walter Mondale, and George McGovern have failed miserably in the South, including Louisiana. Will Kerry meet the same fate?
Enter the Democrats secret weapon: John Edwards, who does appeal to voters in Louisiana and other Southern states. He is passionate, good looking, articulate and has a Southern accent. His trial lawyer background allows him to sell the Kerry message much better than Kerry himself. Edwards has many qualities that presidential nominee Senator John Kerry lacks, such as charisma, and public speaking ability. Edwards also comes across as more moderate [than] Kerry, even though his voting record is almost as liberal. In fact, the National Journal ranked Edwards as the fourth most liberal U.S. Senator, not much of a moderate.  
Kerry made the best choice in selecting Edwards. His selection has been hailed by Democrats and embraced enthusiastically by the media. Edwards was certainly a much better pick than the candidate who was second in the vice presidential sweepstakes, Representative Richard Gephardt (D-Missouri), who would not have delivered the excitement that Edwards is bringing to the Democratic ticket. Gephardt, as well as the other Democratic vice-presidential contenders, are rather dull and would not have energized the campaign like Edwards, the best campaigner in the Democratic Party today. Kerry would be well advised to use him to the fullest during this campaign, especially in the swing states in the South.
In Louisiana, Edwards might be effective for the ticket if he can connect with Democrats, Independents and disaffected Republicans. In fact, the best strategy for the Democrats might be to keep Kerry away from the South completely and focus exclusively on Edwards. The latest Verne Kennedy poll of Louisiana voters in early June showed President Bush ahead of Kerry by a small 48-42% margin, so the Democrats are not that far behind the Republican ticket. The Democrats are underdogs, but can conceivably win Louisiana, if they emphasize the right issues and effectively use John Edwards, as well as popular Louisiana Democrats, such as U.S. Senator John Breaux.  
Voters in the South still comprise the base of the Republican Party, but Edwards may be able to make a difference. Over the next few months, Louisiana voters should expect to see much more of John Edwards as he attempts to help the Democratic Party steal a battleground state away from the Republicans.

~Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and his Louisiana based program, Ringside Politics, airs from noon until 2 p.m. on WTIX 690 AM radio and at 8:30 p.m. Friday and 10:30 p.m. Sunday on WLAE-TV, Channel 32. Visit his website at www.ringsidepolitics.com and e-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com."