This is in response to John Guidry’s letter, titled “Landrieu outshines Terrell on all fronts,” as well as the article regarding students protesting the Terrell fund-raiser.
First, regarding the letter, here are the facts on Landrieu. She voted more than 120 times in favor of higher taxes, earning her an “F” from the nonpartisan National Taxpayers Union. She voted against tax credits for small businesses, but for higher gas taxes. Mr. Guidry argues if Terrell is elected, “we will lose everything Mary has worked six years to gain.” That also means Landrieu would have to move out of her $2 million mansion in Washington, D.C. (and maybe back to Louisiana).
And, contrary to Mr. Guidry’s implied assertions, Landrieu hasn’t quite cornered the market on people skills. She threatened Terrell after a recent debate, telling Terrell, “This is your last campaign.” Plus, in a recent Washington Post story, a Louisiana political newsletter publisher stated, “Mary has a warmth problem. You get the feeling that this is not someone who is anxious to jump on a plane and go to a weenie roast.” Also, I do recall seeing recent television ads attacking Terrell — so much for Landrieu’s “clean campaign.”
As for the “student protests” story, I couldn’t help but laugh when I read that Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott was “suspected” of endorsing Terrell. Doesn’t “suspecting” this imply some wrongdoing on Mr. Lott’s part? Why not write, “Lott is alleged to have committed a cardinal sin by endorsing another republican?” I also found particularly amusing the student who protested because Lott has the ability to sway voters. How dare he sway voters during a campaign? Isn’t that precisely what campaigning is?
I realize Landrieu recently has made calculated moves, such as voting for some of President Bush’s policies and introducing some sort of tax reduction on her own last week (only after being forced to a runoff). However, for the rest of her term, she voted primarily with Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy. Isn’t it — well, wishy-washy — to masquerade as a republican in democrats’ clothing just to get re-elected?
Chris Guillory, Second Year Law Student
I would just like to say I have seen better campaigns in high school. Personally, I’m a republican, but I don’t know if I want to vote for anyone who does nothing but trash the other candidate in their campaign. Nothing good can come from such a negative campaign. I don’t agree with a lot of the things Mary Landrieu believes in, but I don’t know if I want someone in the Senate who got there by badmouthing her competitors. I would love to have a republican in the Senate but not at the cost of my morals. We’ve had enough of that with past presidents.
If Suzie Terrell thinks she can do a better job, then why can’t she say that without knocking her predecessor? I have yet to see a negative thing come from Mary Landrieu about Terrell. Maybe Terrell will take the hint: If you want to get elected, then say what you can do, not what the other person doesn’t.
Philip M. Lavergne, Sophomore — Biology
Why is it everyone who runs for political office doesn’t really run any positive campaign commercials for themselves. The only commercials these people are running are negative ads about their opponents.
Also, recently Mary Landrieu went on television and agreed she would not run any more negative campaign material. Well, either she forgot about this promise or just changed her mind, because there are new negative campaign commercials being run.
I think these people’s campaigns need really to focus on more important issues rather than who can make their opponent seem like more of a crook.
Amie Lannes, Senior — General Studies
I would like to comment on Mr. Guidry’s letter printed in The Reveille Nov. 26. In it he maliciously attacks Mr. McNabb, claiming that he was paid by the Terrell campaign to write his column, “All talk, no action.” This is only one of many untrue remarks stated in this condescending letter.
Mr. Guidry also attacked Suzie Terrell, stating she had no record. On the contrary, she does have a record as Elections Commissioner. While holding this position, Ms. Terrell implemented policy that combated elections fraud and saved the state a lot of money. This “nonexistent” record is available on the State’s Web site.
Mr. Guidry also attacked Ms. Terrell by asking how “a little-known Elections Commissioner” can become a Senator. I would like to answer this question. You see, Mr. Guidry, we live in a country that was founded on the idea that the government is run by the people. Races for all political offices are open to anyone who has the means to run. The idea is that the public offices are filled by Americans of many different backgrounds, not just those born into the class of “the politically elite.”
The comment about Ms. Terrell’s record simply was the result of a hastily formed and uninformed opinion. However, the attack on Mr. McNabb’s intentions was an irresponsible and unethical act of slander. Ms. Landrieu should not feel the need to run attack ads; you are doing it for her.
So, Mr. Guidry, it would do you some good to get your facts right before you attempt to feed us lies and outrageous accusations, because I am “sick of the same old scripted rhetoric” coming out of the elitist left.
Mark Lummen, Junior — Construction Management