Could this "diaspora" change the political landscape of several states?

[kentuck]

This may seem inappropriate as a subject matter, but you can be assured it has not escaped the politicians in Washington.

Louisiana could definitely be affected. When up to a half-million people are displaced, many of them would be voters. Most likely, most of them were probably Democrats. This could turn Louisiana into even more of a Republican state. It would make it more difficult for politicians like Mary Landrieu.

However, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas could be affected in the other direction. In those states where 25-30 thousands votes can make a difference, this disaster could change the face of politics in some parts of the South.

[Tace]

1. Definitely Seems Like A Wild Card

It will make for an interesting mid-term election.

[Kagemusha]

2. Pardon my ignorance but, they won't be counted as residents, right?

I mean, the people evac'd to Houston aren't Texas residents, right? And they won't easily become Texas residents, will they?

[Agnomen]

3. Evacuees won't change politics of Tx, Miss, or Ark

Those states have ways of keeping people from voting.

[Maddy McCall]

6. Such as?

As a Mississippi resident, I'm really interested in the information you possess.

[bluestateguy]

7. Well, I can give you one example

Mississippi is one of only five states to bar ex-felons from voting FOR LIFE. Guess who most of the ex-felons are?

You got it.

www.sentencingproject.org

[Totally Committed]

4. I think it's a shame that the REASON for the diaspora

probably won't be enough to change the political landscape. Bush, I think, has escaped again. President Teflon.

TC

[bluestateguy]

5. Probably at least another 50,000 Democratic voters in Texas

In a mega-red state like Texas that's only a small drop in the bucket, but it helps. There is a long ways to go. On the other hand, Republicans will soon have to start winning elections here without the towering presence of George W. Bush in the White House.

[Coastie for Truth]

8. This was my theory

when our Gubernator Ahnold Boobengrubber refused to pay the state share to San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose (at least - don't know about LA and SD) - the word was that he didn't want all of those Democrats threatening his re-election chances.

Source of the "word" - an unidentified Mayor Gavin Newsome spokesperson, then Bernie Ward and Ray Taliafero --- then "Big Ed" Schultz.

[sam sarrha]

9. With Rove on the spinn, blue will turn RED

[Cosmocat]

10. I HAVE to believe ...

The R/Cons are already working out ways to keep the lower socioeconomic citizens displaced/effected by the hurricane from voting ... They will got the lost records route or whatever ...

AT THE SAME TIME, I am just as sure that they will put the Florida FEMA gambit to work, and whoever they manage to pour money to will be able to vote at least once ...

IN THEORY, you would think that this situation would turn people away from the R party in mass, but it situations like this that they are VERY adept at taking advantage of ...

[peacetalksforall]

11. And if they keep them imprisoned in the Christian camps - they could

likely pull a trick of denying them voting rights because they are not registered in an official capacity.

Christians who belong to churches that have camps being contracted for the 'storage' of the evacuees who have no other place to go should consider it there duty to ensure that they are not being kept in any condition that would limit rights.

It is a horror of this administration, if true, that normal people cannot attempt to help these people direct, because all supplies have been contracted with Christian companies with the excuse that if people in one camp got applies and people in another camp didn't, that there would be a riot. Instead of donations, they are using taxpayer money to purchase new supplies from Christian companies.

Sorry I don't have the link.

Evidently, the traveling and wandering ice trucks are not Christian enough to be used for supplies. See cable tv for the visual of the refrigerated trucks who are unable to make deliveries to LA. They came from WI - went to LA - then sent to AL, then GA, then ended up in Maryland - with full trucks. Given the history of the greed of these people, the ice will probably be given to Christian companies or big corporations who will then resell it to the right wing at five times the original cost. And the difference will be pocketed for the salaries of the think tank experts who come up with these schemes at the request of Card, Rove, PNAC and all the others who are running the show.

[Totally Committed]

12. I hate to say it, but...

these people are being reprogrammed, even as we dicuss this. Those "Christian Camps" are absolutely for the purpose of indoctrination, not housing.

TC

[SoCalDem]

13. Evacuees were probably evacuated in a very strategic manner

It actually took a pretty long time to start moving these folks to other places, and the places we all heard about at first were very RED areas..

As a unified longtime voting block in NOLA, they had power..as a dilute group here and there, they have no clout.

Probably a lot of them will not even register to vote, since their focus will be on finding a place to live in a new place, fighting with assistance programs, finding lost family members.. These folks have a lot to keep them "busy" for a long time..

They will be hard to find in their new homes too.. A lot will just "put it all behind them" and start over in their new place...

Lousiana will probably trun deep red..unless the anger is properly directed to its rightful owner..republican administration in DC