Talented Group of GOP Candidates Think They Can Defeat Edwards

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, nine Republican candidates for the United States Congress from the Sixth District arrived at Café Américain, 7521 Jefferson Hwy., for the second and final Congressional Forum sponsored by the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish.  It proved to be a lively discussion.  By now, all of the candidates have gotten over the initial jitters of public speaking in a campaign, and all have their talking points well in hand.  Some of their speeches are carefully planned, while others are spontaneous and light-hearted. The front-runners tend to be more intense, while those who are spending little money and presumably lagging in the polls seem to be able to relax, use humor, and make their points more effectively.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, all nine candidates participated in the Endorsement Meeting of the executive committee of the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish — all hopeful of receiving the party’s endorsement in the district’s largest parish.

In a way, the Nov. 4 primary is just a dress rehearsal for the main event, the Dec. 6 runoff election.  Former Gov. Edwin Edwards, a Democrat, appears to be a shoo-in to run first. The real battle is for second place, because the Republican who makes the runoff with Edwards is the odds-on favorite to win.  The Republican Party of EBR endorsed Sen. Dan Claitor, Paul Dietzel II, and Rep. Lenar Whitney in the primary, but those who vote Nov. 4 are the real decision makers