Public service commissioner Eric Skirmetta has endorsed Beth Mizell in he 12th district senate race, He has also endorsed Senator David Vitter for governor. This comes as no surprise to those of us who understand such concepts a ‘loyalty’ and ‘principles.’
I know these are increasingly rare concepts in politics these days. Republican Jay Dardenne turned on Senator Vitter by endorsing his Democratic opponent John Bel Edwards Rumor has it that Republican Scott Angelle is working secretly behind the scenes in fundraising efforts to get Edwards elected.
Mr. Skirmetta is standing with his party, and Mizell’s Democratic challenger is dumbfounded. A screen capture from a recent tweet of his is below.
Yes, Mr. Murphy Someone actually endorsed people other than yourself and John Bel Edwards. This is how things work in the real world. I know this is hard for you to understand, as you have spent much of your career presiding over your own personal, political fiefdom (back in your day it was called a trade school).
Much of your career was spent in an environment where you had near- dictatorial powers where you reigned supreme and no one dared challenge you.
This is the world of politics, where being challenged is what it’s all about .
If you can’t handle that- and clearly you can’t- then you don’t deserve to be in the Louisiana legislature.
Actually there’s a litany of reasons why you don’t belong in the legislature, but I write articles, not books, so we’ll have to stop there for now!
The 12th district senate race is a fascinating study in contrasts. On the one hand, you have Republican Beth Mizell who is running a campaign that is clearly meant to inspire. On the other, you have Mickey Murphy who has emerged as the poster boy for Louisiana good old boy politics and vile mud-slinging.
I’ve already noted the effectiveness of Mizell’s campaign ad in this previous post. Since then, the Mizell campaign has launched a new ad with her son Josh, who happens to be a military veteran.
You can see that ad below.
The previous ad beautifully showcased Mizell’s region and her deep appreciation for it. This latest ad featuring her veteran son shows a love of family, but also respect for our men and women in the armed forces.
By contrast, the Muphy campaign has been characterized by mud slinging and phony ethics allegations. A week ago Murphy filled charges against Mizell with the Louisiana Board of ethics. From the Bogalusa Daily News:
In a press release from the campaign, Murphy said that he received phone calls at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from a state employee working for the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation.
Murphy said that the state employee left another message asking “Beth” to call her because she had a “PAC check” for her. He also said that the state employee left, as a call back number, her official government number and official state mail address.
Murphy said the caller was obviously trying to reach Mizell, and not Murphy. Murphy filed an ethics complaint with the Ethics Board on Monday morning, arguing that state law prohibits public servants from using government resources for political campaign activity.
So someone (who isn’t Beth Mizell) made a phone call and left a message on Muphy’s voice mail. Murphy is filing ethics charges against Mizell. If that sounds idiotic well, that’s because it is. Mizell responded by pointing out the obvious:
“The call was between the woman and Mr. Murphy,” she said. “It had nothing to do with me. It was referring to a donation from the Republican Legislative Committee, which is legal. I accepted it, and reported it.
“Mr. Murphy, my counterpart, receives a similar check from the Democratic Legislative Committee. I don’t understand how there is any problem at all.
“I have no control over who calls who. She wasn’t returning my call, she was calling him, looking for me.”
Mizell also stated that Murphy was violating ethics rules by prematurely making the complaint public.
The charges are bogus of course, but this will not be proven until after the election is over. Murphy’s allegations have nothing to do with justice or ethics. They just give Murphy an excuse to spend the rest of the campaign talking about a “pending ethics case” against Mizell.
Because the system moves slow, Mizell will not be cleared of the bogus “ethics charges” until after the election is over. Pretty convenient for Murphy huh? See where I’m going with this?
The ridiculous ethics charges have become the source of a nasty radio ad that Murphy has released, which features the recorded phone message.
Murphy’s tactics are typically what we see from campaigns that are in big trouble. He started out with a clear disadvantage i this race, as Mizell picked up 44 percent of the vote in the primary.
He began the final stretch of this race with some serious catching up to do, and his present course of action is unlikely to achieve this. We’ve seen some crazy stuff in the current governor’s race, but Murphy’s half- baked ethics accusations sink to a whole new level of sleaze and dishonesty.
Hopefully the people of the 12th district will see through his lies and vote for the right candidate.
Baton Rouge, La. — Tonight was the final debate between Rep. John Bel Edwards and Sen. David Vitter. It was likely the final time voters will have the opportunity to hear each of the candidates discuss the substantive issues before they head to the polls this Saturday.
Most notable from tonight’s debate was the fact the Edwards made several comments that directly contradict his legislative voting record. For instance, tonight he said that he intends to oppose tax increases, cut spending, look for efficiencies throughout government and undedicate many parts of the budget to make it easier to effectively use existing dollars.
While this would be a responsible approach, Rep. Edwards’ voting record clearly illustrates that he actually has a different political philosophy. In fact, last year he supported over $2 billion in higher taxes, including substantial increases on employer taxes for critical items such as electricity, inventory, debt, and research.
“Tonight, Rep. Edwards’ rhetoric on tax increases did not match his career voting record,” said Brian Landry, vice president of LABI Political Action. “He claimed he did not support tax increases last session, despite the fact he clearly helped raise them by at least $700 million. He also claimed he supports spending cuts and efficiencies, despite the fact he has vocally opposed them in the Legislature.”
“Campaign rhetoric can muddy up the waters, but voting records paint a clear picture of one’s true philosophy,” Landry said. “The voting records show that Sen. Vitter supports policies that rein in government spending, protect taxpayers, and create a strong and vibrant private sector economy. On the other hand, Rep. Edwards’ voting record clearly shows he favors bigger government, higher taxes and new mandates on employers.”
Last session’s tax increases are only a few of the many votes that contribute to Representative Edwards’ career LABI voting record of 29 percent. This career voting record is lower than the career voting record of Mary Landrieu, Mitch Landrieu and Kathleen Blanco. This fact, along with his 25 percent voting record for NFIB, are substantive and statistical reasons that employers across the state are concerned that he will liberally govern in the same way that he has legislated.
The voting records of both Rep. John Bel Edwards and Sen. David Vitter are attached to illustrate the clear distinction in the political philosophies of both candidates. Sen. David Vitter
So I learn today that Democratic Senate Candidate Mickey Murphy just launched an attack ad against Republican opponent Beth Mizelll. “Stupid” is the only word I can use to describe the commercial’s premise.
Basically, the Murphy camp says that electing Mizell (and David Vitter) will continue the mess made by the Jindal administration.
Anyone who understands Louisiana politics knows that Vitter and Jindal have always hated each other. A Vitter administration would be vastly different from what Jindal has done, and to suggest otherwise is just laughable.
But never mind that.
The real story about Murphy’s ad is that it doesn’t contain much Murphy. Sure, there’s a few still shots of the candidate, but never once does he speak.
Why is that? The answer lies in the video of a recent debate between Murphy and Mizell that took place at Bogalusa city hall.
I witnessed it in person.
Watching Murphy try to articulate coherent policy positions was downright painful. He came across as irritable, angry, and bullying. He seemed defensive when talking about his Democratic party label.
It is hard for me to believe that anyone can watch the debate and still take Mickey Murphy seriously as a candidate. The debate was a clear victory for Mizell and a disaster for Murphy.
After the debate debacle, the people running his campaign probably figured out that putting him in front of a camera and letting him speak is a very bad idea (unless it’s to scream at the camera in a mindless tirade).
Since day one, Murphy’s campaign has been characterized by anger, self-aggrandizement and paranoia directed at an ill-defined boogeyman called “the special interests.”
As we noted before, Mizell’s ad has demonstrated an appreciation and understanding of the community in which has spent her life.
Do TV ads actually tell us anything about who a candidate really is? In the case of the 12th district senate race, I would have to say yes. The ad for Republican Beth Mizell presents the image of a genteel, Southern Belle with a deep attachment and understanding of the region.
The ad is filled with striking pastoral imagery which captures the scenic beauty of Washington Parish and aerial footage of a town within the district. This ad is not just about the candidate. It shows an attachment to and an understanding of the region and its values. Mizell demonstrates an awareness of the concerns of voters, saying that the people deserve to know where their tax dollars are spent. There is also a humility not seen in most elected officials (and certainly not her opponent), as she ends the add saying “it would be an honor” to serve as senator.
THE MURPHY
Some people may find Murphy’s ad funny. That’s one way to look at it. I would argue that the ad presents the image of a man who is egotistic and autocratic. Whereas Mizell’s imagery is pastoral, Murphy’s is authoritarian, presenting himself in military garb barking out orders, which his subject must obey or suffer the consequences.
The ad is filled with angry bombast and depicts Mickey Murphy as a wannabe dictator. In other words, like most of our current lawmaking body that has run this state into the ground.
Nonsense you say?
Not when you consider his background as a former dean of a technical school.
Those personality traits are on full display in Murphy’s ad, and 12th district voters had better take note, lest they find their necks under the drill sergeant’s boot heel.
THIS DISTRICT IS MINE AND YOU SHALL BOW DOWN TO THE ALMIGHTY MURPHY!!!
