Judge orders qualifying re- opened for seat where incumbent switched parti

[Nambe]

Associated Press

A state judge has ordered that the sign-up period be re- opened for the Nov. 2 election in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District, where incumbent Rep. Rodney Alexander first signed up as a Democrat, then switched to the Republican party just before the qualifying deadline. ..

A lawyer for the Louisiana Democratic Party filed the lawsuit aimed at either forcing Alexander to run as a Democrat or getting him kicked off the ballot altogether. The lawsuit cites a Louisiana law stating: "no candidate shall change or add his political party designation ... after he has qualified."

Democrats called Alexander a "traitor" and a "coward" after he turned Republican in the last 15 minutes of qualifying, after registering two days before as a Democrat. Alexander's move meant the Democrats did not have time to find a strong candidate to run against him. ..

Alexander's lawyer is Bobby Burchfield, who also represents House Majority Leader Tom Delay in Texas litigation challenging a Republican-tilted redistricting there, and he also helped argue the Republicans' case in the 2000 Florida election dispute that led to the Supreme Court decision halting the recount.

Alexander, of Jackson Parish, won the seat formerly held by Republican John Cooksey by less than a thousand votes in 2002, and only after vigorous campaigning by other leading state Democrats. ..

[fob]

1. "run as a Democrat or getting him kicked off the ballot altogether"

Why the hell would they want him to run as a Democrat? He's clearly not and if the law is as quoted he should be kicked off the ballot. There IS a real Democrat running I've seen her website.

[UpInArms]

2. isn't that nice little "fact"

Alexander's lawyer is Bobby Burchfield, who also represents House Majority Leader Tom Delay in Texas litigation challenging a Republican-tilted redistricting there, and he also helped argue the Republicans' case in the 2000 Florida election dispute that led to the Supreme Court decision halting the recount.

Why do all of these things seem to sleep in the same bed?

[funkybutt]

3. I wonder who the party intents to sign up

I know they haven't put their support behind Zelma Tisa Blakes. ( www.blakesforcongress.com ) The party really dropped the ball on this one..i assume they didn't support her as they were expecting this decision. This should be interesting.

[elepet]

4. zelma blakes

so that's why they didn't support her.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi elepet!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Rose Siding]

10. She looks like a wonderful candidate

and some new life for the party, an actual person. Her issues page is blank but her profile is interesting.

[David__77]

5. John Breaux should run!

That would teach all potential traitors. I think Breaux should do it just to exact revenge for Alexander humiliating him.

[DeadHead67]

7. And then Breaux could declare a party switch too !!!

He's already there ideologically.

[geek tragedy]

9. He's much better than a Repuke.

He's a conservative Dem, but he's also a very, very loyal one. He's stepping up to the plate for Kerry.

This is actually the best possible solution--give a real Dem a chance to run for that seat.

[JerseygirlCT]

15. I'm still not sure I'd call him a "real Dem". Can't exactly be counted on

to support the Democratic platform, can he?

[jus_the_facts]

14. this isn't about the Senate....it's our House seat that's at stake...

x(

[Maeve]

6. Good. It was a shameful act by Alexander

Hope he doesn't profit by it!

[TahitiNut]

8. What I find disturbing is the Democratic Party's willingness ...

... to support anyone who merely claims to be a Democrat without any examination whatsoever of their positions or background that'd 'protect the trademark'. The political value of a partisan trademark cannot exceed the lowest common denominator. This particular instance clearly demonstrates there's little assured ideological substance behind the label.

In business, this is called 'goodwill' - the market value of a brand name - and is assiduously protected by most companies.

This is one of the major reasons I call myself an anti-partisan independent and largely avoid simplistic labels the meaning of which are highly variable and subjective. Unless we can share a common understanding of the labels and words we use, we cannot communicate - and the ensuing babel becomes inherently divisive.

The rhetorical question of "What gaineth a man who wins the world and loses his soul?" applies here. The 'objective' of winning cannot be legitimized if it means sacrificing all the reasons for winning. Power for power's sake is what the Republican Party has become - and it's a loss for ALL of us, even those who might 'gain' in the short term.

[mfritz]

11. wishy washy dems have their uses

Even a very conservative Democrat is better than a liberal Republican since the most important vote is Pelosi or Hastert/Delay. Controlling the rules and committees is a lot of power.

[Supersedeas]

12. Justice Served

Great ruling, now the people of LA need to make this fraud pay for this cowardice and betrayal of public trust.