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Group Seeks to Tie House Candidate to Obama

In a sign of things to come if Sen. Barack Obama winds up as his party's standard-bearer, Freedom's Watch is airing an ad in a Louisiana special election that seeks to tie the Democratic candidate to the Illinois senator.

The ad takes state Rep. Don Cazayoux (D) to task for backing the same health care plan that Obama supports. "Health care, it's a big issue," says the ad's narrator. "Where does Don Cazayoux stand? With Barack Obama for a big government scheme."

Watch the ad:

Freedom's Watch, a not-for-profit group founded last fall by a number of Republican strategists with ties to the Bush White House, already spent $126,000 on its first ad targeting this special election, which painted Cazayoux as supportive of a number of tax increases.

Cazayoux is considered the favorite in the May 3 special election to replace Rep. Richard Baker (R), who resigned from Congress to take a position as the head of the Managed Fund Association.

Cazayoux faces former state representative Woody Jenkins in the runoff, and polling seems to suggest that despite the Republican tilt of the Baton Rouge-area 6th District Jenkins is struggling to keep the seat in GOP hands.

Obama's positions on most issues are likely to the ideological left of candidates like Cazayoux, who are seeking to represent conservative districts in Congress. The goal of ads like these is to raise doubts in voters' minds about whether Cazayoux is a Louisiana Democrat or a Washington Democrat. In this particular district, the former can get elected to Congress, the latter can't.

By Chris Cillizza |  April 22, 2008; 5:28 PM ET  | Category:  Eye on 2008
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2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll

http://www.votenic.com

Results Now Posted Instantly! Barack Obama In the Lead!

Like It? Don't Like It? Vote.

Posted by: votenic | April 25, 2008 6:17 PM

Jamie: so you would rather vote for a delusional pathological liar who tells you what you want to hear to make you feel warm and fuzzy... and as delusional... because you believe the hype..instead of someone who doesn't fill your head with a bunch of hypotheticals in order to get your vote... that is why America cannot move forward..we always fall for the oki-doke..as the line from the movie goes "you can't handle the truth."

Posted by: sabrina | April 24, 2008 9:15 AM

When I see and read articles like the negative things they're saying about Obama. It just let me know that America is not ready for change. Oh we say it, but we're not ready. We say a lot of things, such as: I'm not racist, I'm about saving the planet, I'm a Christian, and behind close doors they're a bunch of hypocrites. Just shows how stupid Americans are, after voting in Bush twice that's enough for me. We still have racism in society. White people are so out of touch with the black urban society, how can you be alarm with Rev Wright comment? This have been happening in black churches for decades. If YOU can't take the truth then you just a puppet to politics. We crucify those who want better for this country and reward those who use the red, white and blue as a stepping stone for their own political gain. Shame on you! Shame on us.

Posted by: For real | April 23, 2008 10:49 PM

Good think they don't have hillary to target!

CLINTON IS UNELECTABLE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION!

But it doesn't matter at this point she has LOSTthe nomination battle in EVERY measure.

Obama leads in popular vote (even if FL and MI are counted.)
Obama leads in the delegate count.
Obama leands in states won.
Obama leads in the number of individual donors.

It is IMPOSSIBLE for clinton to be the nominee unless she steals it by arm twisting the dinasaur political class into reversing the choice of the people.

Posted by: JBE | April 23, 2008 4:32 PM

Tmo and bob.bob are the ones that need to learn about politics. Freedom Watch may be as bad as they say but the reality is they are putting ads out there against candidates and the Democrats need to answer them or we will be "swift boated" again.

We are in a world where any slimy organizaton can raise funds and buy ad time so let's not blame the people who report on it. Better to know what we are up against now.

Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will cause these ads to appear against local candidates. The difference being we can know what the Clinton ads will be and don't know yet about the Obama ones. He is giving these Republicans more material every time we find out about a new minister-wright/meeks, a new cling to guns and religions or "don't punish my daughters with a baby" remark.

Posted by: | April 23, 2008 1:56 PM

I have one question...that question is: why do we as Americans and as people, whose country was founded on our faith in God, want any part of electing a president who does not share the same faith? Is this not a complete slap in the face to our four fathers and all they accomplished to make our great nation what it is? Allowing our great nation to be ran by someone who shares the same faith as that of the people who sought to destroy and bring a great depression upon our people is asking for trouble. 9/11 was the result of naive sad individuals who were glorifying the same "god" Obama serves. Who is to say that we are not inviting our enemy into our home? I do not feel he is the right presidential candidate nor is he equipped to run a nation founded upon Godly principals. Please remember those whose lives were lost in 9/11, please remember our men and women who are giving all they have to fight a war that should have never began before you vote yes and support Obama...

Posted by: Pamela | April 23, 2008 12:58 PM

Obama needs to get out of the race and the tide has turned and it IS Madame President Hillary Clinton turning it as all Americans can see she is more: honest, determined, dedicated, trustworthy, educated, wise, a fighter for the American people and what they want this country to be and stand for on a global scale. The Democratic Party needs to realize that she is the only one that can beat McCain and by such a large margin that has never been seen in this country before. Finally she is getting the respect not only as a running candidate but as the future Madame President of this United States. Our nation does not need Obama who is an inexperienced candidate that does not know how to handle political situations, does not know how to handle a crisis, does not know how or when to communicate to foreign governments, and most important does not know how to run a government. The American people are not stupid and money cannot buy a President, (Oprah needs to learn that, too) only the American people can elect their presidential candidate to run their country. One who has the exact qualifications that future Madame President Hillary Clinton has. North Carolina and Indiana is not going to be swayed by Political and false ads run by and Oprahs' money, they are way too smart, they know that the hands of this nation are secure and safe in the palm of Hillary Clinton. Now is THE TIME to stand up for what Americans believe in and to stick up for our future Madame President, "come on America, let your voice be heard! If need be scream it from the mountain tops all the way down to the ocean shores, the future of our nation is at stake, the future of our children and grandchildren, Hillary will be heard and Hillary IS our next President. The delegates know this and will give her all their support, Obama knows this, the media knows this and we, the American people know this!" God Bless America and everyone of you who are reading this.

Posted by: Catherine4 | April 23, 2008 12:30 PM

The sad thing is that Obama really isn't that great of an orator. He only sounds like a great orator in comparison to Bush, Hillary, and McCain.

Posted by: Bobby B. | April 23, 2008 12:25 PM

What about Hillary's statement that we can nuke Iran and wipe them out? How can she be for removing troops from Iraq while making this comment or does she just plan to have the troops move next door instead of bringing them home?

This is like Bush using the Axis of Evil term. It is not going to do anything to stop Iraq just make them angrier and more hell bent to get America.

Posted by: nevadaandy | April 23, 2008 11:07 AM

I have a question? Let's say Hillary has a plan B if her campaign fails to secure the Democratic nomination: would she have time to get her name on enough ballots in the big swing states to win a three way race in November.

Posted by: Bill | April 23, 2008 11:06 AM

Nixon bombed the everloving snot out of north viet nam-that's why mccain and the others were released.

I gagged at the rantings of the writer who deplored Republican dishonesty. Can you say "clinton", you sniper trumatized idiot?

Posted by: James | April 23, 2008 6:56 AM

TALKING WITH THE BAD GUYS


If President Richard Nixon had not talked with the NORTH VIETNAMESE, John McCain would still be rottening away in a NORTH VIETNAMESE prison camp.


I AM
DADDY WEST

Posted by: daddy west | April 22, 2008 11:35 PM

TALKING WITH THE BAD GUYS


If President Richard Nixon had not talked with the NORTH VIETNAMESE, John McCain would still be rottening away in a NORTH VIETNAMESE prison camp.


I AM
DADDY WEST

Posted by: daddy west | April 22, 2008 11:34 PM

I think it's really interesting that they use Obama instead of Clinton... I'm sure it's partially racially motivated, but I think tying conservative Dems to Clinton is a tried and true tactic and has the same negative effect as tying them to Obama. The downside? In a racially polarized district, I'm sure Cazayoux appreciates any link to Obama that black voters will see. Black turnout is always an issue for white Dems in Louisiana. Every little bit helps in a low turnout election.

Posted by: Chilidogger | April 22, 2008 9:30 PM

OBAMA is a disaster. Look at these two videos using the rapper, Jay-Z, in his speech and both times raises his middle finger when he says "Senator Clinton was in her element"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOFp-RDpvM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhkq11UExcw

Posted by: steve | April 22, 2008 9:28 PM

13% of the precincts in in the special election in MS-1, and Travis Childers (D) is up 51-44 over Greg Davis (R). Still early.

Posted by: novamatt | April 22, 2008 9:28 PM

Special election in MS-1:

25% of precincts in, Travis Childers (D) up 53-43 over Greg Davis (R). Interesting, but early.

Posted by: novamatt | April 22, 2008 9:28 PM

13% of the precincts in in the special election in MS-1, and Travis Childers (D) is up 51-44 over Greg Davis (R). Still early.

Posted by: novamatt | April 22, 2008 9:28 PM

OBAMA is a disaster. Look at these two videos using the rapper, Jay-Z, in his speech and both times raises his middle finger when he says "Senator Clinton was in her element"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOFp-RDpvM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhkq11UExcw

Posted by: steve | April 22, 2008 8:45 PM

OBAMA is a disaster. Look at these two videos using the rapper, Jay-Z, in his speech and both times raises his middle finger when he says "Senator Clinton was in her element"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOFp-RDpvM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhkq11UExcw

Posted by: steve | April 22, 2008 8:45 PM

OBAMA is a disaster. Look at these two videos using the rapper, Jay-Z, in his speech and both times raises his middle finger when he says "Senator Clinton was in her element"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOFp-RDpvM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhkq11UExcw

Posted by: steve | April 22, 2008 8:42 PM

OBAMA is a disaster. Look at these two videos using the rapper, Jay-Z, in his speech and both times raises his middle finger when he says "Senator Clinton was in her element"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOFp-RDpvM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhkq11UExcw

Posted by: steve | April 22, 2008 8:42 PM

""Where does Freedom's Watch stand? With John Yoo on torturing people? With George Bush on invading foreign countries that did us no harm? With Dick Cheney on refusing to adopt a national energy policy that includes conservation?" In the whole scheme of things, these fringe attacks aren't going to mean much.

Posted by: freeDom | April 22, 2008 8:32 PM

This race will be run on local issues. No matter how sleazy the attack ads, the GOPs will not be able to turn Woody "Pig's Ear" Jenkins into anything resembling a viable silk purse...the same set of circumstances they faced trying to hold Hastert's seat in Illinois with that dreadful millionaire dairy owner.

Posted by: TaylorB1 | April 22, 2008 7:55 PM

This is no different, morally, that the ads the Dems ran against Connie Morella, a liberal Republican in a liberal Dem district. She got redistricted and lost her seat to some snot nosed kid, Van Hollen, just because his ads claimed she'd caucus with the GOP and help elect GOP leadership. This, despite her liberal positions on virtually any issue.

So, any Dems who have a problem with this La tactic, better have been sounding long and hard against what they did to Connie. Otherwise, STFU, you hypocritical b&stards.

Posted by: JD | April 22, 2008 7:38 PM

This ad goes a long way toward answering the age-old question, "How many lies can Republicans tell in a 30-second ad?" The immorality of the Republican Party is truly extraordinary.

Posted by: jonfromcali | April 22, 2008 6:58 PM

A white, 29 year old, single, female voter, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I'd like to vote for Obama, but the job that I have and hate, has made me so "bitter", that I might have to start "clinging to guns and religion" now, as a result. I agree with Hillary, enough with the talk and the grandiose speechs, now's the time for "Action". He has no plans and is all talk and no action. To which I must say,not to get too far off the beaten track, but Obama wasn't even a Senator at the time of the vote for the Iraq war and he most certainly didn't vote for it or against it...he wasn't even there...although he sure makes it sound like he was there though, doesn't he? Is this the "New Politics" that he's been talking about? This is the same guy who while in Chicago had more "Undecided" votes as a local politician, than any other politician in Illinois at that time. Not "Yes" or "No", but..."Undecided"...189 "Undecided" votes on a variety of issues, I might add. That coupled with the fact that he never even voted against the Iraq war in the Senate, while leading the rest of America to believe as though he had, well, that's not "New Politics" that's just what we call the "oldest form of politics" lying that you were there, when you weren't. Kind of puts Hillary's 15 year old Bosnia flap in it's proper light now, doesn't it? By the way, can anyone here remember the car that they took to their high school prom or does anyone else here remember what color the bridesmaids dresses were at their wedding, or how many kids were in your childs graduating class? If you say you "don't remember" than I think everyone should cut Hillary some slack for forgetting about parts of an event that took place 15 years ago in one of the 400 countries she's visited 1000's of times, over a nearly ten year period. But don't forget this, Hillary has actaully been to Iraq herself to see the land and our troops in it, Obama...to his discredit...has yet to even be there once.
Hillary has my vote, too. Hillary Clinton for President in 2008!!!

Posted by: Jamie | April 22, 2008 6:50 PM

And Obama's plan is the one without the government mandates for participation...

Posted by: kreuz_missile | April 22, 2008 6:41 PM

Or Cazayoux.

Posted by: novamatt | April 22, 2008 6:36 PM

So does this encourage politicians like Cayavoux to push harder for UHC if they get "hit" for supporting it and then win anyway? If I'm a Republican strategist, I'm scared s**tless that the old attacks aren't working anymore.

Anyone else more interested in what goes on in MS-1 than in PA tonight?

Posted by: novamatt | April 22, 2008 6:33 PM

CC,

Well-written, interesting article.

Thanks.

Posted by: USMC_Mike | April 22, 2008 6:15 PM

Oh, Yeah. Good to know what Freedom's Watch is doing. Such a trenchantly pointed ad. Big Government! Sort of has Not been Big Enough to help Louisiana after Katrina.

Yep, no one in Louisiana wants help from the Federal Government, no way!

And, then, strange that a state that used to be well known for its Big Government approach (Huey Long?? Low Taxes Cuz we Done Taxed Oil Passing Through?? A Chicken in Every Pot?) is wary of Washington Democrats ... why, Chris? because they are not raiding the government coffers enough?

Posted by: Fred D | April 22, 2008 5:56 PM

Yea, I'm with Bob...BobBob. Whoopdy doo, who gives a rat's a**.

Posted by: TMo | April 22, 2008 5:54 PM

McCain Tax Cuts Would Bloat Deficit Or Take Huge Spending Curbs

What do you consider more important, cut taxes or balance the budget?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=2209

.

Posted by: Frank, Austin TX | April 22, 2008 5:53 PM

Freedom's Watch? How credible is an organization dedicated to supporting the policies of The Worst President Ever? Who, but the last of the kool-aid drinkers, pays any attention to them? Why is the WaPo even reporting on their slimey ads? Come on, a bit of Journalist Integrity?

Posted by: thebob.bob | April 22, 2008 5:49 PM

I sure hope he's not eating a waffle when a aide rushes into his office announcing that Iran has just tested its first A-bomb.

Posted by: proudtobeGOP | April 22, 2008 5:48 PM

Barack Obama has glorified the role of words in moving history. He has relied on his oratory to propel his campaign. He has also advocated transparency and openness. Indeed he has made the public part of his campaign (Yes We Can).

Nevertheless, in the wake of a series of embarassing media performances-hgihlighted by his fumbling responses during last weeks debate with Hillary Clitnton, he has now gone into hiding, avoiding the press and the pressing questions journalists may ask about his associates and his plans.

He fumbled the Charlie Gibson question regarding capital gains tax rates and showed himself to be out of his depth when handling policy questions without his handlers. This avoidance of the press is clear. He has not made himself availabe for questions from the press for 10 days now and the number looks to go higher


When asked about the endorsement by the Hamas terror group, he had a snippety answer, "Why can't I just eat my waffle" which echoes his behavior when confronted with questions about his ties to Tony Rezko, now on trial in Federal Court in Chicago. He avoided answering those questiosn and then stalked off from a press conference whining to the reporters "C'mon guys. I answered 8 questions."

Now comes news that he will not particpate in a debate with Hillary Clitnon before the North Carolina primary. This refusal to answer questions from the press puts on display once again that Barack Obama tends to lose his appeal when he is without his teleprompter (see "Obama Unplugged" by Dean Barnett) and when he is not in front an adoring audience or a fawning press.


If he cannot handle the press and answer their questions-the man who thinks words are so important-how will he handle the world's tyrants?


Is he really ready to assume the Presidency?

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/04/obama_now_hiding_from_the_pres.html

Don't tell fox news he's hiding under the bed.

Posted by: snObama | April 22, 2008 5:38 PM

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