Katrina Exodus Could Change Political Mix

[Placebo]

Population shifts caused by the exodus of hurricane victims from the Gulf Coast could have ripple effects for years to come in Louisiana political races and perhaps beyond.

How big depends on how many people stay away, which ones stay away and where they end up putting down roots.

The early thinking is that the evacuees least likely to return to their homes in Louisiana may be the poorest — and thus, Democrats for the most part. That would hurt the party in a state where Republicans already were making inroads.

If the lion's share of those leaving settle in Texas, that could work to the advantage of Democrats in President Bush's home state.

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[ashling]

1. that's why Babs is so scared

If the lion's share of those leaving settle in Texas, that could work to the advantage of Democrats in President Bush's home state.


however, to be fair, it should say "Bush's adopted home state"
The Bushes are an invasive species, kind of like Kudzu in the Southeast, first they invade Texas, then Iraq, then . . .

[Doris32r]

2. Actually, last week

Rush was saying what a golden opportunity this was in LA for republicans. Can you believe that? Can you get any colder?

[tedoll78]

3. Sad, but true.

The Democrats in Louisiana had developed a winning strategy too: nominate a white female from GOP territory who can talk like a moderate. While the Democratic base in New Orleans and Baton Rouge turns-out heavily, the GOP's rural advantage is dulled by the fact that she's a local girl from the country. It also isn't a coincidence that Blanco's name on the ballot was "Kathleen Babineaux Blanco," thus driving-home the point that she was a down-home Cajun girl.

Now with the New Orleans part of the winning equation gone, Louisiana is going to turn into another Alabama, politically speaking.

[belle]

6. Well, unless the D's can be smart and run on "hey, the R's made this mess"

Even well-to-do folks don't much like being flooded out of their homes or losing their jobs. Particularly if they know that better planning could have avoided it. And a lot of people are invested in making sure the spirit of New Orleans is preserved.

well, and: they also have to come up with a good plan to fix things that involves more than "give everything to Halliburton and/or a giant golf course."

[Placebo]

4. Wouldn't it be grand...

if the end result of this storm come 2008 was that a state like Texas went Democratic? :)

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Now, that is very, very interesting..............

The ramifications and potential shifts (hopefully some for the better?) in our country will be seen for decades to come, most likely. We certainly are living in tumultuous times.

[SoCalDem]

7. The dilution of the evacuees to MANY states

and all taken from a solid BLUE area within a state, pretty much guarantees that if New² Orleans is rebuilt, it will be with RED bricks..and the numbers of the "scattered" will not impact their new districts that much..

[KamaAina]

8. Don't misunderestimate the anger of those left twisting in the wind

quite literally. Only the hard-core Kool-Aid drinkers will ever vote repuke again after this. Analyst Stonecipher, who comes from Shreveport, far outside the affected area, is missing this.

Also the article seems to buy into the CW that most will not resettle in Southeast La. by November '06.

Only New Orleans proper is really Blue; the surrounding parishes (counties) went up to 2-1 for King Dumbass** -- but "everything changed on 8/29"...

[cap]

9. yup.. white folk are callin him Dubya Gump

eom

[radfringe]

10. the photo-op I'm waiting for....

is one of bush* on a stage, surrounded by black people who say "ya did good, George"

the only reason we haven't seen this "phot-op" yet is that the advance men are having a hard time finding "supporters" amongst the survivors. But not to worry, they'll bus them in if they have to