La.'s Landrieu Looks For Independent, GOP Support

[Purveyor]

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) -- Democrat Mary Landrieu's quest for a fourth Senate term will turn on whether she can attract just enough support from independents and Republicans to win in this increasingly conservative state.

The daughter and sister of New Orleans mayors, that's been Landrieu's re-election strategy since 2002, when her donors included a Baton Rouge physician named Bill Cassidy-now her Republican challenger in this year's midterm elections.

Replicating that winning formula could depend on what matters more to voters: Landrieu's growing ability to help Louisiana's oil and gas industry through her recent promotion to chairwoman of the Senate Energy and National Resources Committee or her unapologetic vote for President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

The answer means much to the balance of power in Washington in the final two years of Obama's presidency. Republicans need to gain only six seats to grab control of the Senate and, with the House likely to stay in GOP hands, Congress. Landrieu is one of four Senate Democrats seeking re-election in states Obama lost in 2012, so her political fortunes this year are among the nation's most closely watched.

In this race, allegiances don't fall neatly along party lines.

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[davidpdx]

1. She's going to have to run away from Obama as fast as she can

She'll also get blasted on the fact that the administration hasn't approved the last part of the Keystone XL pipeline which she supports.

It will be an interesting race.