Thinking Right

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

December 4, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Good afternoon all. Congress has already done quite a lot to destroy the domestic automobile industry – “safety” standards, “pollution” standards, “mileage” standards, “labor” standards, not to mention excise taxes on specific necessary elements of the vehicle (gasoline, tires) and intangible matters such as “foreseeable liability.” If one simply gauged the industries most deserving of compensation for government-inflicted injuries, surely the auto-makers would rank as highly as the financial sector, entirely due to the ruin wrought by Congress and by the faceless army of bureaucrats. Nevertheless, there is little question that there is a world-wide glut of automobile manufacture capacity, just as there was a surfeit of airline flights just 10 years ago (and maybe now.) In order for markets to work, we must allow companies to fail, for uneconomic lines to fail; the risk-taker’s right to obscene profits is offset only by the risk of total loss. When the taxpayers’s largesse is opened to dying companies, the companies cease to respond to market realities, and instead adapt to government diktat. Think British Leyland, and the quality they produced. Corporate welfare is an inherently-bad idea, as proven repeatedly all over the world. Markets produce – government does not.

Special note to friend Dusty, who inquired late yesterday about the pit bulls: my 89-year-old father-in-law was apprehensive about moving into a home where pit bulls roam freely throughout the house, but he is now a convert. When moving in a few months ago, as he walked in the door, our border collie-chow-greyhound mix, whom we jokingly refer to as “death at 60 mph,” growled menacingly – but the sad-faced massive 80 lb. pit mix, whom we call Eeyore, wagged his tail softly and gently licked the hand of the stranger. Pits innately have a sweet disposition, although they can be truly vicious if they are so-taught – we once fostered a killer, and it was an unpleasant experience, even though he was always obedient. Mrs. jbmlaw was chatting with our vet recently, when we were contemplating bringing in the new dog, mentioned that (in our Tennessee days) our previous vet affirmed he would prefer to treat a pit bull rather than a cocker spaniel; our new vet quickly seconded that truth. Pits are great companions.

By HIDT

December 4, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Based on your recommendation, I will give my brother’s pit bull a second chance. Through reading, I have developed a mistrust and fear of the breed. My in-laws each 84 years young built a small cottage on our property this year and have fallen in love with our three foundlings, especially the mid-size chow-red heeler mix, who truly is a comedian.

On topic, I agree government regulation of domestic automakers has been excessive. What we need now is leadership from Obama’s bully pulpit and elsewhere for us to make the move now to producing and driving existing technology hybrid vehicles. It would make us much less vulnerable and beholden to Middle East interests. Let’s see a presidential motorcade of hybrids.

By Look4theUnionLabel

December 4, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

…and just what, pray tell, is wrong with laid-off workers getting 96% of their salary??? (How else will they get laid?)

By Redneck Convert

December 4, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Well, I say we just let these car makers go belly-up and make their greedy union workers suffer. That way maybe just 300,000 people will lose their job and dealers and parts stores and iron makers and stuff like that will close, but leastwise we’ll be rid of a commie union. If God had of wanted you to join a union you would of been borned with a little union card in your hand. Then you could go on strike against your Mommy if she didn’t feed you right or on time and picket your Daddy if he didn’t let you use the fambly car or made you mow the yard. Instead of getting a good thumping if you didn’t do what you’re told.

There ain’t no reason for a car worker to make 70 bucks a hour when a good beer hauler only gets paid 20,000 bucks a year for delivering the thing that Americans love best of all, even better than their car or truck. If it wasn’t for what I haul to the stores, people on this blog couldn’t hardly come up with all the names they call other people and the nasty stuff they write. I can tell right away which ones are soused when they write, but I won’t mention no names. One starts with a D because no one could write such stupid stuff without being falling down drunk. Anyhow, people will crawl on their hands and knees for what I haul if their car don’t run no more. So don’t tell me a auto worker is worth more than me.

We’ll get use to seeing nothing but Japanese and German and Korean cars and trucks on the road. It ain’t a big deal. All our other factorys have got shipped overseas, so I don’t know why car factorys can’t go there too. The service people without a job can get trained on how to fix a Honda or Toyota or Kia or Volkswagen. Course, I got to admit it will get a little tough if we need a bunch of tanks and army trucks made in a hurry, but I know other countrys would come thru for us.

So I don’t want my tax money being used to bail out a bunch of bums in the car making business. Unions are godless and need to be put out of business fast. God appointed rich owners to decide how much money workers make and how much vacation they get. Even Jesus had a boss that didn’t have to put up with no union.

Now I know there’s people that will say we spent 700 billion bucks to bail out the banks and such and they managed real bad and paid workers too much. And all I got to say to that is picky, picky, picky. We need banks on account of that’s where we keep our money, but we don’t need cars made in the U.S. or A. or workers that get paid more than a beer truck driver.

That’s my opinion and it’s very true. Have a good day everybody.

By ron

December 4, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Bad business decisions should bring dire consequences,but this time the banks and the insurance industry was rescued from their follies,so why do we shut down the auto industry?Because we want to?Because of the nasty unions?What is the reason we want the Three gone?Have they outlived their usefulness?

Bernanke has made a startling revelation.He thinks there are too many foreclosures in todays housing market.He wants something done about it.On track is about 2.25 million foreclosures for next year.A closure of the auto industry will up that number considerably.

The market is supposed to be self correcting,the answer to all things economic,but the market today is so skewed that there is no telling what will happen to “Y” IF “X” is done.There is no market anymore,there’s simply a bunch of people trying to steer an oceanliner down the river with canoe paddles hoping to bypass the waterfall.

What to do with the auto industry?Good question.British Leyland was bailed out and was a disaster.Renault was bailed and is a success story.The outcome depends on the people involved.

By Mike D

December 4, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Jim,

your bloggers appear to have smoked a lot of crack before they logged in to share with us their f’d up comments.

By Southern Democrat

December 4, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Jbmlaw/Ragnar,

I am sure you will agree that this is just throwing more good money after bad money. As we all saw when Sonny couldn’t clean the coffers fast enough for Kia, states are not immune to trying to prop up auto manufacturers due to the number of skilled jobs they create in both primary and secondary industries.

Was curious, too, what you think about the possibility of Mitt leading a second coming of Rockefeller Republicanism? Mitt seems to be a bit more conservative on social issues based on his campaign (and his religion), but I wonder whether his true colors are more socially permissive, an idea that would (I think) appeal to the libertarian in you.

As 2008 demonstrated, the mainstream GOP’s views on immigration will continue to alienate it from the growing Hispanic population, another area where they can improve their message.

Finally, curious what you think about the proposal to have govt back RMBS comprised of fixed mortgages capped at 4.5% while funding it with 3% bonds. It makes too much sense to a simpleton like me, so I was hoping that you of the more gifted economic mind could point out where I am wrong.

Any update on the Lieutenant JG? Please tell him that we are thinking of him.

By Look4theUnionLabel

December 4, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

The GM bailout is and has been a virtual certainty.

By Glenn

December 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

it’s very true as usual, Redneck.

I say let Chrysler die and make GM reorganize without either the albatross Chrysler or the still more deadly albatross UAW around its neck. Ford is diversified and relatively advanced, even in aerospace, and will continue to ride this one out. All three field four or five times the number of dealerships its Asian competitors require to make constant inroads into the U.S. marketplace.

UAW, like NEA, represents the worst of the erstwhile labor movement. For its part Management bet idiocally on trucks and SUVs while fighting ZEV/LEV requirements tooth-and-nail for years with the most expensive lobbyists money could buy.

The investigations will last years, and amidst all that scrutiny I hope the collegiate accreditors will look closely at how the nation’s best business schools could so consistently crank out top industrial executives of such blind turpitude, such signal incompetence, such exaggerated certitude of idiotic entitlement.

By jm

December 4, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

One thing Mr. Wooten did not mention. In case of bankruptcy, Cerberus Captial Management - the Hedge fund that owns Chrysler and the Ford family will see their holdings greatly reduced.

Also, Mr. Wooten does not mention that (albeit at a reduced rate) the US government will pick up the pensions and healthcare of the retired autoworkers should the big 3 declare bankruptcy (or fail).

Mr. Wooten also does not mention the impact to various 401K and retirement funds should the big 3 fail. As a dividend paying stock, they were valued by many mutual and retirement funds.

By @@

December 4, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Whew! had to buy a GPS system to find ‘ya Jim. I don’t know who manages your site, but have you ever considered they’re not worth the salary paid ‘em?

One of the problems with this bailout and others is that it does put politicians and government bureaucrats in the position of dictating products and services

Which is exactly what helped get the industry into their current mess, and by extension……us.

I’ve often wondered how quickly the auto industry may have converted to flex fuel vehicles had the environmentalists put forth their argument with emphasis on national security. It was only with this campaign that the GOP began to approach it from such a strategic standpoint. Only then did the public begin to realize.

I mean, really……..when choosing between a tree and the safety of one’s child, the tree’s gotta go. I could be wrong though.

With so many leftists on the loose, ‘tis likely they would have opted to hug a tree and destroy the child.

Wait a minute……..they already have. My bad!

Ours has become a topsy turvy world.

By Dusty

December 4, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Oh my goodness, my condolences, Jim Wooten. With RedNeck on your side, how could you win?(or is it lose?)

To tell the truth, I am, as they say “TORN”. I love my GM car and love American made productions. But….how in the world can we keep giving money (that we don’t have) to ailing industries? I want American economy to improve. But I hate the national debt to grow and grow until it sinks us.

The governor of South Carolina was on Lehrer News Hour and he agrees with you, Jim. He is my kind of guy with his strong belief in the American worker to overcome difficulties. He feels that handouts result in spineless dependencies. And I want to agree.

But but but…shut down American car makers? All their subsidiaries? But but but who is going to buy cars if there is no credit and little cash available?

When Marie Antoniette was told the people were hungry, she said “Let them eat cake.” The automakers are hungry. Will we give them cake, crumbs or nothing? I don’t know. Does anybody?

*Ragnar, I enjoyed your good words about pit bulls. I could almost feel them gently licking my hand in friendship. Good dog! Lucky dog to be found by the “Ragnars” (all three pups). Sounds like a happy home to me.

By findog

December 4, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I would not join Ragnar today in the complete assault on regulation, but I do agree that some of it went too far. Like the tax write off for the Super-Suburban or Redneck’s Ford F-450. I wish our leader would get the facts straight for the forum: the UAW is not reopening contract negotiations, they are conceding certain untenable portions; like the job pool but the pay is 85 and not 95 percent. I remember when I had friends on the line, they took trades classes during the model conversions with nearly full pay, great work if you can get it, but alas they have milked that cow dry. Still think that if the big three had any plants left in the south they would have had an easier time trying to sell their loan packages…

By Zzzzzzzz

December 4, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Somebody post something. Geez.

By ron

December 4, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Another bailout in the offing is the bailout of the individual states.Now there’s a bailout that shouldn’t happen.There are a plethora of bad decisions made by state governments but they’ll get their money,no doubt about it.

By catlady

December 4, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

I think it is time for a survival of the fittest. Put the chairmen of the big 3 on tv—a fight to the finish. Think of the ratings! If you put it on pay per view, someone would make a “killing”.

Could we just get a list of every business in the US and every homeowner in the US who is in trouble and then divide the money among them? Let’s see, the Wall St banks would get about 25$ each, and the “bailout” would go down from there. Looks like that is what we are doing anyway, but of course the bailout money gets higher and higher. At what point is a company TOO BIG AND TOO FOOLISH TO SAVE?

We are soon going to have to start selling off our firstborn to pay this tab.

By Dennis C. Brown

December 4, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

May I suggest that we take the pressure off of our legislators by restricting the “popular” opinion of the public as formulated by the news media reporting, and letting them do their due dilligence and coming to an informed decision. After all, that’s what we vote them in for and now let’s let them do their job. I don’t know all the facts involved in the Big 3’s bailout request. Neither does the news media. But I sure hope the congressmen and senators do. And I sure also hope, altho’ am concerned about how their conclusions are impacted by surveys and polls of their uninformed voters, that they can withstand public opinion to make an informed decision.

By ron

December 4, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Wooten,——Tomorrow is multi topic Friday.Could you please try extra hard to get everything right at some decent hour in the morning.We,your faithful followers, are feeling sort of left out lately,what with your not being available and todays debacle that left all we wizards of words panting at the starting gate,wondering if we would ever get to put forth our valued and sought after opiions.Thanking you in advance for your kind consideration.

By Mike

December 4, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

The States are now lining up for a “bail out” from money the Feds will soon be printing. What happened to the money printed over the last 20 or so years—since the Ronald Reagan amnesty for illegal immigrants?
From what I read, billions of dollars have been sent “back home” annually by our illegal resident population. These billions would have been spend multiple times in communities and directly benefited businesses and individuals in those communities. Sales taxes would have been collected every time that money was spent. How much has Georgia lost in sales tax revenue because of its—and the Federal Government’s—failure to enforce existing immigration laws. How much has been lost in unreported income tax? Mouth service has been paid by “our” government(s) to enforcing the laws of “our” country. Twelve years ago the IRS questioned my deduction of my 19 year old college student child because her social security # was one digit off. That’s looking close to a child who had been a dependent for 19 years. “Our” government can locate any of these people and their employers—if they or their employer have ever filed any paperwork.
How many of these illegals are in Georgia? They say they want honest work and the onion growers have said they are needed. When does the onion harvest end and what do the illegals do in the meanwhile—do they stay here and do nothing? We elect individuals to attend to our basic needs and enforce the laws of our country. We have been ignored while special interests have continued to be served.
Georgia needs money. Georgia should have been aware of at least this obvious drain on its economy. Now we and future generation of law abiding citizens will have to pay. At least the children born in the USA are citizens and will have to bear the burden of their parents—unless they decide to move “back home” and leave us the bill. Next let’s talk about the DOT policy for the past 40 years, the developmental highways, golf courses—can anyone say Zell Miller? Give developers anything, we do not maintain what we have—everything will be fine. The Stock Market and Real Estate always increases in value. Let’s just raise property taxes—but only on some people, not our “friends:. Timeshares are the way to go.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

December 5, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. Looks like today’s blog is not yet open, again. Friend Southern Democrat posed a few complex questions yesterday @ 3:16.

(1) No, I don’t see Mitt leading a second coming of Rockefeller Republicans. (I assume you mean the traditional Eastern republicans who controlled the party during the era of Dewey and Eisenhower, oft called “moderates” or, disparagingly, RINOs.) Movements require charismatic leaders. While everything I hear about Mitt is that he is personally impressive (like GWB), he does not light up a room. My Judas-kiss would describe him as a thinking-man’s Republican, knowing that 70% of the people are not particularly thinkers. Huckabee and Palin are more likely to spark a revival of country-club republicanism, as neither is a Reaganesque or doctrinaire conservative, but I don’s see either reviving the republican brand in the northeast US.

(2) Agree, that anti-Hispanic immigration policy is a consistent and prospective loser for republicans. I am an open-borders conservative, and my campaign for freedom falls on deaf ears among my friends in the more-conservative party. The republican preoccupation – approaching a litmus test – in restricting the numbers of Mexican immigrants is as misguided as democrat preoccupation with abortion. The result of the policy is not ennobling, nor is it calculated to be so. I note that most republicans who pander to the xenophobes have lost in the last two election cycles. While those losses are probably not entirely attributable to anti-immigrant efforts, neither are those efforts saving elected positions.

(3) “Govt-backed” RMB securities are what FNMA and FHLMC have done for 50 years. The problem is not that the margins are not profitable – the salaries of Franklin Raines and Jaime Gorelick prove otherwise. The devil is in the details. Who ensures the quality of the instruments created? How do we prevent mortgage fraud? I have grave doubt that “more of the same” or “increasing the taxpayers’s obligations” are the solutions to the current market distress, which is primarily excessive inventory and insufficient numbers of creditworthy buyers. Sometimes the most economic solution is for government to quit picking at the problem.

(4) The Lt JG winged four months ago, and will complete his training around the first or second week of January. His prospective unit just returned from deployment, and is commencing workups for the next deployment, anticipated Nov 1, 2009. I flew to Norfolk to visit with him over Thanksgiving, and he is on top of the world. Since his mom works retail she could not escape, so we will send her up there right after Christmas, for a few days with him. (Someone has to stay here to take care of the dogs.) We are grateful for your prayers and good thoughts, and the country is in good hands with guys like the Lt JG on the job.

By Corey

December 5, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

Can anybody(experts)realy stand behind what they profess in today’s economy. Remember respected, conservative economist Phil Gramm’s comments about us being whiners? What was he drinking? These are truly uncertain times. I suggest we all eat, drink and be merry and please close the shutters. Some of us may want to do a dress rehersal for life at Woodruff Park. Peace and have a nice day.

By Kent

December 5, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

The general public was warned for at least two years prior to the collapse of the housing and mortgage markets that the “bubble” was going to burst. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone, least of all those on Wall Street who invested heavily in mortgage backed securities and derivatives. We all knew how many interest only loans, ARMS, etc. were out there about to re-set and throw the housing markets into turmoil. Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae. Countrywide. Citigroup. MorganStanley. The FED. WE ALL KNEW. The problem is nobody did anything to stop it. We hid our heads in the sand trying not to notice our neighbors were drowning because we were all too greedy trying to profit from it.

Our government is not designed nor is its’ mission to rescue individuals or corporations of any size from failure. When we rely on our government to continue to rescue us from our failures or lack of due diligence it relieves the individual or corporation from personal or corporate responsibility. Our freedoms rely on our citizens exercising personal responsibility for themselves; corporations operating within the laws; and effective oversight. Capitalism is based on the simple idea that you build a better product and bring it to market more successfully than your competitor. Tough and unfortunate choices have to be made in order to change the landscape in which we do business. The government has to stop actively “rescuing” failing businesses. If the company is not performing well it’s rarely due to a single circumstance but rather a quagmire of performance issues. The marketplace will address those issues through absorbtion of the company assets via bankruptcy, merger, takeover, etc. even in the worst economic conditions. The strongest businesses on Wall Street who’ve managed their risk well will continue to thrive.

What we don’t need is to continue to increase the national debt by buying up interest in poorly run companies that are failing; Wall Street firms who’ve made poor choices (investments are risky and not guaranteed); we don’t need to increase the tax burden on the American taxpayers; we don’t need to further devalue the dollar by pumping more cash into the economy; and we don’t need to prolong our economic recovery.

By bevann2

December 5, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

I totally agree. Congress should stay out of this mess. Let the big 3 either retool on their own or go out of business. The unions have to take a great deal of the blame for the auto industry’s failure.

By david wayne osedach, san diego/ U.S.A.

December 5, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

The Big Three are looking for a ‘blank check’ bailout with revolving credit. They should call up their private jets and go back to Detroit.

By oneydjacks

December 5, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

An open letter to congress.

An emergency bridge loan for our domestic automakers, enabling them to keep the production lines moving, is a waste.

The automakers should have submitted plans to cut costs and strengthen products with improved fuel efficiency, years ago. The bridge loan requested by the automakers and endorsed by the UAW is not a blank check like the ones Henry Paulson has handed out to Wall Street banks but it may as well be.

I urge you to act now to protect our best auto industry and help save the pensions of millions of retired workers, both in and out of the auto industry. Consider the following The taxpayers are the people you represent and it is in our best interest to remind the auto industry that too many of us have had to pay a monthly car note as well as a repair bill due to the lack of quality in their products.

But in order to save the best automakers we will let the taxpayers decide which automakers, domestic or foreign, provide the best products by giving taxpayers the bailout money as a stimulus check. It will probably be cheaper and more effective to give the American taxpayer HIS MONEY and allow him to stimulate the economy with his spending because ,after all, he will be the one to pay it back.

No banker or car-dealership, at present, should be in a position to tell a taxpayer “no You have bad credit.” I’ve got news for you Sherlock” You boys haven’t been too swift in the dollars and cents category either. Give us the money!

We should be allowed to take the interest on a car loan as a tax decuction. We are ,after all, stimulating the econommy. That is something wall street bankers have been reluctant to do even after they have received part of their bailouts.

Recent laws favoring the credit card commpanies have allowed them the latitude to raise interest rates at will and view a taxpayers history with other creditors. That interest should be tax deductible as well and the taxpayers privacy respected and his history with other companies shielded from view.

It is our belief that the past administration has made it possible for those people in charge to do a p**-poor job (CEO’s) and bank millions of dollars. If a taxpayer did that, he would be arrested for stealing. I’m sure you will never see these people arrested for stealing but their names should be engraved in a wall of infamy for generations to see and they should be cited for their failures to adapt to the times and produce safe fuel efficient vehicles in keeping with the fuel embargos initiated in the mid seventies and all inter-office communications citing reasons to buck the Carter administraions attempts to prepare for higher fuel prices should be presented on this wall for all to see. The only things that should be preserved are the pensions and health benefits for retired UAW employees, even if the private jets and personal accounts of the financial geniuses, who stepped out of limos in Washington with a begging cup, must be attached.

PS: A credit bureau should pay me for making money off of my fincancial history and I should be able to choose which one of those bureaus represents me based on how well they perform. A identity thief would need to know which bureau was representing me as well as an ID number for my account at that bureau before he could obtain anything illegally. Too much like right aint it?

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

December 7, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Holy Cao: Republican defeats Jefferson

Indicted Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) has lost his New Orleans-based Congressional seat to a little-known Republican attorney, Anh “Joseph” Cao.

With all precincts reporting, Cao has defeated Jefferson 50 to 47 percent. The AP has called the race for Cao.

Even with Jefferson’s ethical woes, his ouster comes as a huge shock. His New Orleans district is one of the most Democratic in the country, giving President Bush only 24 percent of the vote in 2004. And he hadn’t suffered at all politically since indicted for bribery in June 2007, comfortably defeating another Democrat in the Election Day primary.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole congratulated Cao and subtly referred to Jefferson’s legal woes in a statement.

“I would like to congratulate Congressman-elect Joseph Cao on his victory tonight and welcome him to the Republican Conference,” Cole said.

“Joseph ran an excellent campaign based on the issues that are important to Louisiana voters, including a steadfast commitment to bringing honor and integrity to public office.”

Cao, an immigration attorney who fled war-torn Vietnam as a child, will become the first Vietnamese-American to serve in Congress.

Turnout was very low throughout the district in the race, which was postponed until December because of damage caused by Hurricane Gustav. In a statement tonight, Jefferson blamed low turnout for his loss, saying he believes many of the African-American voters who make up his base ran out of “juice” and didn’t make it to the polls Saturday.

New Orleans Times-Picayune columnist Stephanie Grace agreed that the odd timing of this election was the final straw for Jefferson.

“There were strong signs that Jefferson’s support had limits when, in 2006 and 2008 primaries, a majority of voters chose other candidates,” she wrote. “A special trip just to save his skin? That, apparently, was the last straw.”

Late in the campaign, Republicans appeared to gain confidence that an upset was in the works. Popular Gov. Bobby Jindal endorsed Cao on Thursday, just two days before the election. He wouldn’t have put his political credibility on the line if he thought Cao had no chance of winning.

The National Republican Congressional Committee also spent $58,500 last week to help get-out-the-vote efforts in the district, while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee declined to even endorse Jefferson.

Cao also won a late endorsement from the Times-Picayune, which touted his local work to help rebuild New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

It was also a discouraging night for Democrats in the race for retiring Rep. Jim McCrery’s Fourth District seat – the other contest in Louisiana. With all precincts reporting, Republican John Fleming leads Democrat Paul Carmouche by 356 votes. The AP has not yet called the race for Fleming.

Carmouche campaign spokesman Bert Kaufman said that Carmouche is not conceding the race, given the small margin of Fleming’s victory, and left open the possibility of a recount. Over 92,000 ballots were cast in the race.

Both parties spent about a million dollars to win the Fourth District seat. President-elect Barack Obama recorded a radio ad for Carmouche, but it wasn’t enough to rally enough African-American voters to the polls in a district where strong black turnout is essential for Democrats to win.

With Jefferson’s apparent loss and the inability for Democrats to pick off McCrery’s seat, the Democrats are down to 20 House pickups this election cycle, with one race in Ohio still undecided. Only one Democrat remains in the Louisiana delegation — Third District Rep. Charlie Melancon.

By Glenn

December 7, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

But Melanton is not, alas, Melanchton.

And the humble ukelele, of the land of Obama’s spurned, neo-Marxist birth, will show you all up…

Wait and see, cockshure celebrants of his innauguration…

— Auntie Kepila