WP: Storms Alter Louisiana Politics

[Pirate Smile]

Storms Alter Louisiana Politics
Population Loss Likely to Reduce Influence of Black Voters

By Michael A. Fletcher and Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, October 14, 2005; Page A07

The massive population shift caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita holds seismic political implications for Louisiana, which faces a near-certain reduction of its congressional delegation and a likely loss in black-voter clout that could severely affect the state's elected Democrats.

Less than two months after Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, leaving much of New Orleans and surrounding areas unlivable, Louisiana officials are beginning to grapple with the bewildering new political landscape. The storms and resultant flooding caused more than 1 million residents to flee their homes, many for far-flung destinations from which they may never return.

-snip-
In New Orleans alone, nearly half of the voting precincts were destroyed by Katrina. Many of the neighborhoods most affected include overwhelmingly Democratic black communities in the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth wards. And while many African American voters remain in Louisiana, a number significant enough to affect a close election have left.

In political circles last month, "there was talk that the Democrats' margin of victory was living in the Astrodome in Houston," said Ronald D. Utt, a senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/13/AR2005101301729.html

edit to add - there is no Louisiana Senate seat up for re-election in 2006.

[Pirate Smile]

1. more

"With Louisiana subject to provisions of the Voting Rights Act requiring the U.S. Justice Department to approve any substantive changes in election districts and processes, national civil rights organizations are keeping close watch on how political power in the state is being reshaped.

"We are concerned that there are both a land grab and a power grab going on," said Theodore M. Shaw, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. "If there is not a significant return of black residents to New Orleans in the near future, at what time will there be an attempt to redistrict?"

-snip-
Already, a Republican congressional candidate has noted that if depopulated parishes are subtracted from his district, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D), who won election with 50.2 percent of the vote in 2004, would have received 43 percent of the vote."

-snip-
Adm. Allen said Wednesday that Louisiana storm victims who need the government's help with housing will be offered choices on where to settle, but only after it is determined that they cannot return to the state. "The premium is going to be placed on putting in Louisiana, because that's the governor's wish, and we support that," he said.

[lcordero2]

2. Melancon will win by a wider margin

White people and Latinos are approving of Republicans less and less.

[fishwax]

5. land grab and power grab

that is most definitely what is going on.

(and it probably explains why the administration didn't deal with katrina in the immediate aftermath--they were probably planning such a strategic response.)

[salin]

3. Funny how these articles never discuss a potential anti GOP backlash

caused by the actions/inaction of bushco during the two hurricanes. Seems that the public sentiment towards the current politicians might also have an impact upon the future political landscape, but somehow this doesn't get discussed in these articles, only the displaced voters and how that might change voting patterns is discussed. Seems that La, in particular, has had a bit of history where populist candidates can gain great support - I would think that the current events pave the way for big support if a firey populist politician were to emerge.

[mom cat]

4. How trut..A lot of poorer Republincans are being screwed by FEMA et al

also. Bush turned his back on the South and it is in the South that Bush is losing support. They have had a strong taste of neo-con strategies forced upon them and are not pleased.