Sen. Mary Landrieu’s, D-La., campaign is changing its strategy in the heated runoff campaign approaching on Dec. 6.
The Landrieu camp launched its new strategy with the slogan “Where was Bill?” focusing its efforts on contrasting the differences between Landrieu and Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La.
The campaign hosts a website dedicated to comparing Landrieu and Cassidy, which went live as Landrieu gave her Nov. 4 election night speech.
The website details five highly debated topics such as equal pay for women, the veterans hospital, retirement age, college affordability and disaster relief.
Communication disorders sophomore Michelle Wetzel said the website is biased because she expects Landrieu to post content showing her in a positive light and Cassidy negatively.
“When you focus on putting down your opponents and not your own accomplishments, I think it shows your true character,” Wetzel said.
Agricultural business senior and president of the University’s College Republicans organization Destin Sensky said Landrieu’s “Where was Bill?” strategy shows her desperation in the runoff.
“It’s honestly disheartening that somebody who is so esteemed and well-respected as her would stoop to that level,” Sensky said.
The Landrieu campaign utilizes social media with the hashtag, “#wherewasbill”, questioning Cassidy directly. For example, the  Landrieu campaign tweeted asking where Cassidy was when the veterans hospital needed to be rebuilt after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
“Mary Landrieu wants to know where I was during Hurricane Katrina? Setting up a surge hospital for refugees,” Cassidy responded via Twitter. 
Sensky said he respects Cassidy for his objective response to Landrieu’s “Where was Bill?” strategy. He said Cassidy has remained focused on the issues facing Louisiana throughout the election, revealing Landrieu’s voting record and opinions on policies.
Political science senior and president of the University’s College Democrats organization Josh Turner said Cassidy has not been present enough in Louisiana in the past six years and  has distanced himself from the
problems of the population.
“He hasn’t really taken a stance on a lot of things and hasn’t really offered how he thinks our country should move forward,” Turner said.
He said the Landrieu campaign made a shift in the right direction. Turner said he is seeing a liberal campaign focused on who has delivered for the people of Louisiana. He said he wishes the campaign had been run like this prior to the runoff.
However, Sensky said it is sad to see Landrieu host this desperate attempt to gather voters as the runoff approaches. He said as an 18-year political veteran, Landrieu should know better than to launch this immature of a campaign.
“It’s not of the nature of someone that’s as esteemed as her,” Sensky said. “It boils down to her desperation.”