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Started By
Message
re: LA Senate Primary Race- Republican Debate
Posted on 4/29/26 at 9:02 am to Alt26
Posted on 4/29/26 at 9:02 am to Alt26
quote:
Regardless of who you support, debates are largely a relic of a past era where information was far less available than it is today. In past years a televised debate may have been one of the few times the public got to hear a candidate speak about issues. Now, a quick internet search can pull hundreds of videos of the candidate themselves, as well as countless articles, posts, etc about the candidate. If you truly want to learn about the candidates it's never been easier to find information.
So where are the examples of Letlow and Cassidy being challenged on their views and records and being forced to defend it? Where are they being put on the record with issues? The internet allows a new venue for candidates to control their message without being challenged or put on the spot and on the record. This is evident across all manner of congressional races. We know why Biden and Kamala avoided interviews and certain formats. The internet doesn't inherently inform you of the candidate's true philosophy, knowledge, or convictions whatsoever.
Like I said, I think a debate is actually inadequate. I think there should be long form discourse where the candidates face scrutiny and thorough public vetting. That clearly isn't going to happen since we can't even get them to debate. Does anyone really think we just have TOO much information about Julia Letlow? I asked for those who support her to explain what information about her gives them confidence in her being entitled to this seat as a reliable conservative. I haven't heard yet.
quote:
d if you are perceived as the leading candidate all a debate provides is an opportunity to create an unforced error.
Right, so entitlement. I get why it makes sense to said candidate. What I don't get is how it makes sense to the voters who don't know the candidate outside of their campaign ads.
quote:
Do the research on all the candidates. It's ALL there at your fingertips...then make your decision.
For those of you who are not interested in seeing a debate and think we have all the possible vetting and info on these candidates we could ask for, who are you supporting might I ask?
1
Posted on 4/29/26 at 9:11 am to ChewyDante
I don't care what those two decide to do. Fleming already has my vote. I'm sick of Letlow/Jeff Landry and Cassidy.
Posted on 4/29/26 at 9:11 am to ChewyDante
Letlow and Fleming will be on the Moon Griffon show for questions. It's happening Tuesday 9-10:30.
Posted on 4/29/26 at 9:18 am to La Place Mike
quote:
There are other sources to read besides opinion pieces.
And, again, why would I do that when I can hear them myself?
Posted on 4/29/26 at 9:18 am to Bard
quote:
Paywalled
Not paywalled for me for some reason:
Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the Republican candidates in the Louisiana Senate race to agree to a televised debate that would be broadcast statewide before early voting begins May 2 for the May 16 party primary election.
Published polls have shown a competitive race among incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, state Treasurer John Fleming and 5th Congressional District Congresswoman Julia Letlow.
"I expect the candidates to actually stand before the people of Louisiana and speak unscripted truth," Higgins said in a text to USA Today Network. "Louisiana deserves a full televised debate."
So far Cassidy, Fleming and Letlow have failed to agree to a debate that includes all three of the major Republican candidates.
Leaders for a Better Louisiana and Louisiana Public Broadcasting canceled a debate those partners had scheduled to be broadcast on LPB April 16 because it couldn't get a commitment from Letlow.
Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, during the hearing on the assassination attempt of former President Donald J. Trump on July 13, 2024.
Letlow had agreed to participate in a debate on the Moon Griffon radio show, but Cassidy declined because he said the show doesn't have a large enough audience and over concerns that he would be treated fairly by Griffon, who has been a fierce critic of Cassidy.
Fleming has told USA Today Network he would make himself available for a debate on any stage with any of the candidates.
Higgins, the 3rd Congressional District congressman from Lafayette, hasn't yet endorsed any of the three candidates.
"I’ve left a clear field for our Senate candidates," Higgins told USA Today Network. "If I put my thumb on the scale, the polls would certainly reflect that action. But I don’t want that, sir."
Higgins issued a press release late April 26 calling for the three to take the debate stage together.
"So, on behalf of We the People of Louisiana, I implore the citizens and the media outlets of our State to demand at least one STATEWIDE TELEVISED DEBATE OF THE THREE LEADING SENATE CANDIDATES, before early voting, before the Primary," Higgins said. "A full hour of moderated debate, LIVE ON STAGE, with solid questions, not softball questions delivered in advance. We don’t want the candidates to memorize their perfect answer. We the People DO NOT WANT REHEARSED LIES DELIVERED TO US LIKE WE’RE SHEEP.
"I challenge every candidate… Senator Cassidy, Representative Letlow, and Treasurer Fleming… to quickly agree to this debate and JUST STEP UP. Give Louisiana citizens the honesty that We deserve."
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Higgins, a Trump MAGA loyalist, also condemned the current Senate as "ground zero of arrogant failure for our Republic," criticizing the chamber for failing to pass legislation like the SAVE Act and for preserving the filibuster rule, among other issues.
"Louisiana requires a Senator who will FIGHT for the MAGA agenda," he said in the statement. "We the People of Louisiana DO NOT WANT A SENATOR THAT RUNS MEEKLY WITH THE HERD, because the establishment herd has proven to be arrogant, elitist, frightened, and disconnected from the demands of regular American families."
Higgins also chided the current candidates for negative campaign ads.
"Further, We the People of Louisiana DO NOT WANT A SENATOR WHO IS VICIOUS AND OBSESSED WITH PERSONAL ATTACKS AGAINST ANY CITIZEN WHO DARES ENTER THE RACE," he said.
Three lesser known candidates are running in the separate Democratic Party primary election, including Nicholas "Nick" Albares of New Orleans, Gary Crockett of New Orleans and Jamie Davis of Ferriday.
The two winners of the party primaries will face each other in the November general election.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
Louisiana Senate race poll: Louisiana Senate primary poll shows Fleming, Letlow, Cassidy in tight race
Posted on 4/29/26 at 9:32 am to ChewyDante
quote:
So where are the examples of Letlow and Cassidy being challenged on their views and records and being forced to defend it? Where are they being put on the record with issues?
Cassidy has been a Senator for over a decade. Letlow has been in Congress since 2021. Anyone can go find their voting record. As public figures they have spoken about issues...which are easily searchable. Anyone can go find that and do the critical thinking to determine if the candidate's views align with their own personal views on the issue.
quote:
We know why Biden and Kamala avoided interviews and certain formats. The internet doesn't inherently inform you of the candidate's true philosophy, knowledge, or convictions whatsoever.
Of course. But there was PLENTNY of adverse information about Biden and Kamala if you wanted to look for it. Just because the MSM carries the water for a certain party, doesn't mean with just a bit of effort someone could not find contrary information. Hell, Joe Biden was in Congress for 40+ years. There was TONS of publicly available information about him out in the world...if anyone had the desire to look for it and critically analyze it.
quote:
Right, so entitlement. I get why it makes sense to said candidate. What I don't get is how it makes sense to the voters who don't know the candidate outside of their campaign ads.
I don't think it is "entitlement" as much as a strategy to win a race. Just like in basketball, if a team is up 15 with 2:00 to go they aren't going to force quick shots with 24 seconds left on the shot clock to give their opponent more possessions to mount a comeback. They are going to employ the strategy that gives them the best chance to win. Now, if the team is only up 5 with 2:00 to go, then sitting on the ball may be a very bad strategy.
From a voter's perspective, the refusal to participate can be taken into account in the overall consideration of who to vote for. If a voter doesn't trust the candidate's campaign ads or is skeptical as to why the candidate may not want to participate in a debate, then that may be reason enough to not vote for that candidate. It's ALL part of the consideration. If a candidate refuses to participate in a debate, then that is the risk they run and it would be an opportunity for, in this instance, Fleming, to potentially gain support.
EDT: The discussion here is not necessary whether or not you, I, anyone, is "interested" in a debate. It's what impact does it truly have in the era of constant information? I would opine it has very little because the majority of the people who would care enough to watch have already decided which candidate they will support, while those who don't care enough to conduct any research/scrutiny of their own aren't going to care enough to watch a debate.
This post was edited on 4/29/26 at 9:41 am
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:15 am to ChewyDante
quote:
For those who support Letlow, can you explain where your confidence comes from outside of "anybody but Cassidy" or why you would support her over Fleming?
I’m one of the “anybody but Cassidy” voters and frankly I will support whoever is the most likely to beat him.
Trumps endorsement makes her the favorite.
Full stop.
I probably agree with more policies from Fleming, but again, Louisiana is a Trump state and listens to who he endorses, which means she’s more likely to beat Cassidy than Fleming. This is why I’ll vote for Letlow.
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:29 am to ChewyDante
I’m voting Fleming, but I have a major concern that he will pull more votes from Letlow than Cassidy and that we’ll be stuck with Cassidy for the general. frick Cassidy, that slimy cocksucker.
This post was edited on 4/29/26 at 11:22 am
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:33 am to ChewyDante
Just more confirmation that the Fleming vote is the correct vote.
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:36 am to Alt26
Cassidy and Letlow are both obviously avoiding a debate because they view more information in the hands of LA Republican voters as something that can only serve to hurt their candidates.
Your explanations and rationalizations only reiterate this obvious reality. This is strategy that benefits the candidates' interests in winning a position of great power and career advancement first and foremost. It is not to provide the LA electorate with a candidate that may best represent their interests. I hope Republican voters wake up and see this contempt and political shell game for what it is and reject it and its purveyors. The elites want to pick the candidate and they want you to just go along with it. Funny how that got us Cassidy in the first place.
This state deserves better than opportunists and dishonest actors who view the Republican voters with contempt who can be told they have enough information and just vote as we say, or as a power and career advancement game with kickbacks and favors to be paid for those who play. I'm not hearing that they think they need to earn votes and support, I'm hearing vote for me because Landry got Trump to endorse me.
I think it is telling that it's the Letlow/Cassidy crowd that would rather not have positions, records, and convictions openly compared and critiqued and would rather stick to vague ads referencing Trump. Let's keep it off any video format where we have to defend our positions and go on the record, just go watch and listen to our vague campaign ads. The idea that no one would watch or could learn anything from the candidates being challenged and forced to prove and defend their records is laughable.
No one actually believes the people of LA know all there is to know about the political philosophy of Letlow, or Fleming for that matter. That's campaign nonsense. It's actually a rather absurd thing to suggest. Cassidy is another story due to his high profile incumbency. The argument itself is insulting to LA voters and I hope, as you suggest, that they do take it into account. I know a lot of the posters here apparently do. I think the Cassidy and Letlow campaigns are banking on the ignorance of the rest of the voters to work in their favor. They obviously want the voters to associate Trump with their candidate and hope that does the trick. I want to see all of the candidates challenged on their views and forced to defend their records and claims. I don't know a single actual LA voter that doesn't want this but you sit here and offer your rationalizations for why it's not needed or serves no legitimate purpose. Lol
Your explanations and rationalizations only reiterate this obvious reality. This is strategy that benefits the candidates' interests in winning a position of great power and career advancement first and foremost. It is not to provide the LA electorate with a candidate that may best represent their interests. I hope Republican voters wake up and see this contempt and political shell game for what it is and reject it and its purveyors. The elites want to pick the candidate and they want you to just go along with it. Funny how that got us Cassidy in the first place.
This state deserves better than opportunists and dishonest actors who view the Republican voters with contempt who can be told they have enough information and just vote as we say, or as a power and career advancement game with kickbacks and favors to be paid for those who play. I'm not hearing that they think they need to earn votes and support, I'm hearing vote for me because Landry got Trump to endorse me.
I think it is telling that it's the Letlow/Cassidy crowd that would rather not have positions, records, and convictions openly compared and critiqued and would rather stick to vague ads referencing Trump. Let's keep it off any video format where we have to defend our positions and go on the record, just go watch and listen to our vague campaign ads. The idea that no one would watch or could learn anything from the candidates being challenged and forced to prove and defend their records is laughable.
No one actually believes the people of LA know all there is to know about the political philosophy of Letlow, or Fleming for that matter. That's campaign nonsense. It's actually a rather absurd thing to suggest. Cassidy is another story due to his high profile incumbency. The argument itself is insulting to LA voters and I hope, as you suggest, that they do take it into account. I know a lot of the posters here apparently do. I think the Cassidy and Letlow campaigns are banking on the ignorance of the rest of the voters to work in their favor. They obviously want the voters to associate Trump with their candidate and hope that does the trick. I want to see all of the candidates challenged on their views and forced to defend their records and claims. I don't know a single actual LA voter that doesn't want this but you sit here and offer your rationalizations for why it's not needed or serves no legitimate purpose. Lol
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:37 am to blueboxer1119
quote:
Trumps endorsement makes her the favorite.
This is incorrect. Fleming is the favorite. Trump endorses after making deals which shows by how terrible his endorsements are.
Vote Fleming is the only answer
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:38 am to Captain_Morgan
quote:
I’m voting Fleming, but I have a major concern that he will pull more votes from Letlow than Cassidy and that we’ll be stuck with Cassidy for the general. frick that slimy cocksucker.
Huh??? It doesn’t matter because none of the three will get 50% and there will be a runoff between Fleming and one of the two as long as we vote and get everyone else to vote for Fleming.
Fleming will destroy Cassidy in a head to head
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:43 am to ChewyDante
I think I'd rather Cassidy than Letlow, to be honest. At least Cassidy is honest in his retardedness, Letlow seems shady as frick and I fear we get a trojan horse with her.
Fleming has my vote 100%.
Fleming has my vote 100%.
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:48 am to ChewyDante
quote:
I’ve left a clear field for our Senate candidates," Higgins told USA Today Network. "If I put my thumb on the scale, the polls would certainly reflect that action. But I don’t want that, sir."
I continue to be impressed by Higgins!
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:49 am to Alt26
quote:
Cassidy has been a Senator for over a decade. Letlow has been in Congress since 2021. Anyone can go find their voting record. As public figures they have spoken about issues...which are easily searchable. Anyone can go find that and do the critical thinking to determine if the candidate's views align with their own personal views on the issue.
This asks Louisiana voters to do a few things that, as you know, 95%+ of them simply are not going to do.
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:50 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
Letlow seems shady as frick and I fear we get a trojan horse with her.
Possibly so. I’m certainly skeptical of her.
quote:
At least Cassidy is honest in his retardedness,
Not so fast. Cassidy is an obfuscating mofo. Calling him honest does damage to the concept of honesty.
Posted on 4/29/26 at 10:51 am to ChewyDante
quote:
Lurch
Lol
Posted on 4/29/26 at 11:21 am to Sweep Da Leg
quote:
Trump endorses after making deals which shows by how terrible his endorsements are.
Go re check the success rate of his endorsements and get back with me.
Posted on 4/29/26 at 11:23 am to Sweep Da Leg
quote:
Huh??? It doesn’t matter because none of the three will get 50% and there will be a runoff between Fleming and one of the two as long as we vote and get everyone else to vote for Fleming. Fleming will destroy Cassidy in a head to head
This new primary thing has me screwed up I guess. I thought it was winner take all. If it does go to a runoff primary, then that’s good news and I think we can be rid of Cassidy.
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