Once Again, Vote Roy for Mayor!
Jacques Roy says there is a new excitement in the air here in Alexandria. He’s right. During the past three months, Alexandrians have discussed our shared future, and nowhere has this conversation been more detailed and more passionate than right here in the blogosphere.
We’ve offered a play-by-play analysis of this election. Before the primary election, we unpacked the candidacies of all seven contenders, and collectively, we asked, “Who makes the most sense? Who will bring a renewed energy and hope to City Hall? Who is most capable of standing up to entrenched interests? Who can steward Alexandria through this great period of growth?” And the consensus, insofar as I can tell, is that Jacques Roy, a thirty-six-year old lawyer, represents our best hope.
Until now, I have remained silent about the type of campaign that Roy’s opponent, Delores Brewer, has been waging. I have directed readers to the facts about the commercials and mail-outs, but I have offered no analysis.
I once believed that Mrs. Brewer wanted to be mayor for the right reasons. I am no longer so certain. The Town Talk likened Mrs. Brewer’s campaign to a “grim theater of reckless advertising and personal attacks.” But it is more than that. It is premised on divisiveness, deception, and outright lies. Two of Mrs. Brewer’s television commercials have been covered nationally, not for their inventiveness but because they represent everything that is wrong about political campaigning. One of the nation’s most influential blogs, My Left Wing, had this to say about Mrs. Brewer’s infamous rape ad:
Although Brewer and her Republican handlers from Baton Rouge vehemently deny it, Brewer patently conflates her rapist and her Democratic opponent, Jacques Roy, in the television spot: therein she claims both of them have attacked her; both of their “attacks” required her to regroup and rebuild her “strength” and “integrity;” and both, the ad implies, have “disrespected” the community. The parallel structures it erects cannot be more pellucid. And she has admitted it, although she refuses to apologize to those whose experience of rape and molestation she exploited in order to tape a commercial whose bathetic and sanctimonious message ranks it one of the most offensive and cynical political advertisements in Louisiana history (bold mine).
My Left Wing and others have also offered thorough analysis of Brewer’s press conference and the notorious “pig” commercial, painting both as part of an old-time Southern strategy for victory, relying on subtle stereotypes and innuendo.
On November 7, I hope that we will all resist this message. We will see it for what it truly is: a campaign engineered on lies and fear, a campaign that has indeed resorted to the unfortunately named “Southern Strategy” for victory.
Mr. Roy has done our community a big favor by refusing to respond to these commercials. However offensive they may be, Jacques Roy has rendered them unimportant. Why? Because when Jacques Roy said he would not engage in negative campaigning during the run-off, he meant it. He kept his word. And by keeping his word, Jacques Roy has shown that he is above such superfluous and inflammatory attacks.
I can personally attest that Mr. Roy has been campaigning in all parts of our city, not simply in the precincts that carry the most Democrat voters. He has shared his message of inclusive, smart growth with anyone willing to listen, and he has parlayed the excitement of this election into a cohesive movement that will likely exist for years to come. He has given all of us– black and white, Democrat and Republican, young and old– someone and something to believe in.
Mr. Roy has demonstrated that he is truly in touch with the needs and expectations of our community. Last week, when Mrs. Brewer asked Mr. Roy on KSYL radio to explain “smart growth,” he offered a five minute in-depth analysis: Smart growth isn’t simply about in-fill; it’s much more.
Mr. Roy does his homework, and his experience in law will serve our community well, as we become something bigger and better than a quaint city on a river.
Please do not be complacent. Cast your vote on November 7 for real change. Please vote for Jacques Roy.
CenLamar 
Word.
Let’s get the small businesses back; maybe a bookstore that isn’t a national franchise and some more neighborhood (read: not “family”) restaurants. The last decade has been increasingly divisive with respect to our communities, and it’s time for us to develop what we hold in common.
Electing a new mayor is only a first step. Roy is competent but he can’t fix all of our problems for us. It is going to take real effort from dedicated citizens willing to take risks. I believe that more and more we will see Alexandria develop into the kind of place that supports, nurtures, and rewards those risks that benefit our community, economy, and environment.
Way to rise above, A-town.
OLD BLOGS CAN BE INTERESTING:
I am undecided because I can’t get excited about the field of candidates.
Looks like if the election were held today, Brewer and Roosevelt would be in a run-off. However, the election is on Sept. 30 so there is time for some significant movement.
Brewer is currently the frontrunner but definately must worry about Roy and Johnson. She would be foolish not to. She is NOT a shoe-in for the runoff. Many of her own supporters believe she would be the best mayor, but that she is not the best campaigner. She definately made some missteps in the beginning, but has done well at overcoming them. She must continue to work very hard and come up to speed on speaking and debating.
Roy is a better public speaker and will campaign hard. However, Brewer has been in the race longer and has more money. If people are looking for experience, she is more likely to appeal to them than the young Mr. Roy. It would take LOTS of money for Roy to catch up with Brewer and overtake her. He would need great TV and lots of it. But, it is not impossible. It COULD be done. Some people who think Roy won’t win think this is a practice run for such a young candidate and that he has a political future after this race.
Meanwhile, Johnson has a comfortable lead among the black candidates. He is likely to be in a runoff with a white candidate. Hammond and Smith are in the tank and Fuller is not seeming to catch on. However, Af. Americans do not always poll accurately.
Sams is quickly becoming a non-factor in the race. His numbers have actually gone down since the spring. Surely, this is because people are recognizing him for the radical “fringe” candidate that he really is. Every time he speaks at a forum, he does himself more harm than good. His TV spots are the worst I have ever seen here. Who did those, the cable company?
Unscientific trial heats–if Johnson and Brewer get in a runoff, Brewer can win if she gets her vote out. If Johnson and Roy are in a runoff, Roy wins by merely getting the whites out and stealing some of the blacks who don’t like Johnson. Not at all likely, but if the blacks somehow feed off one another and take Roosevelt down and Brewer and Roy get into a runoff, Roy would win because he would get the black vote and some white vote. I do not think Brewer could possibly take that race. But lucky for her, that scenario probably won’t happen!
OK, I want to be the first to admit that I had to eat my words when I said, lucky for her, that scenario probably won’t happen! But, to my credit, I did say Brewer couldn’t win a runoff with Roy. I think I’ll be proven to be correct about that on Nov. 7.
I also said Roy would need great TV ads and lots of them. He had terrific ads and lots of them. What I didn’t know when I wrote that post was how much the new Brewer strategist, Roy Fletcher’s ads and his candidates ongoing ugliness and misspeaks in the runoff would actually help Jacques Roy.
I am a Vietnam era Democrat. During the Vietnam war, we realized that it was smart to question those in power, whether they were Democrats or Republicans. We protested against the war when LBJ was President, and he was one of the strongest Democrats this nation has ever seen. We protested against the war when Tricky Dick was President, and he was a strong Republican president. But more important than protesting the Vietnam war, we realized that we needed to question those in authority about their policies and future plans, no matter what party they came from. To that end, I see a disturbing trend in this Blog and its contributors. The editor, Mr. Lamar White, and the majority of the contributors blindly accept what ever the Democratic candidate is doing and saying, and blatantly reject whatever the Republican candidate is doing or saying. Both of these positions will lead to “the blind leading the blind.” The CLECO issue raises some serious questions that Mr. Roy will have to consider when he becomes Mayor. Are the contracts fair to the citizens of Alexandria? Should they be revisited, even if they are legal, so that the citizens of Alexandria get a bigger piece of the apple? Will Mr. Roy end up in a conflict position since he will be Mayor, and still representing someone (Mr. Sansing) who might benefit to the detriment of the citizens of Alexandria by taking money out of their pockets?
Mr. Roy is about to learn some strong lessons in politics when he tries to get his platforms through the current City Council. If he has never read the book “Animal Farm” or seen the movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” I suggest that he do so now.
I hope that this Blog will continue to look at the issues, but that will also mean taking an inquiring position when Mr. Roy is mayor. If it turns out that this Blog was merely a political arm of the Roy camp, then shame on Lamar for not being truthful with us. I hope that is not the case. Instead, I hope that Lamar and the contributors to this Blog will take a serious interest in what City government is doing on a day to day basis. Question those in power, including Mr. Roy. If you fade into the background after the campaigns are done, then it will just be politics as usual.
Lamar:
I was shocked when Mrs. Brewer asked Jacques Roy to explain and define “smart growth.” Did she really think he wouldn’t know what that is? First of all, he’s been talking about that throughout his campaign. Second, you are correct, when you say he does his homework. I have never seen him unprepared for a question or to discuss an issue in a forum. Conversely, I have seen Mrs. Brewer fumble to answer questions or say that she doesn’t know many times. What in the world was she thinking when she asked Roy that question. I am shaking my head in disbelief. The woman just doesn’t get it. She may be one of the worst candidates I have ever seen. It is obvious that she is not a good leader either.
What is a Viet Nam era Democrat? I have never heard of that status. I personally know what a Viet Nam era veteran is. Is a Viet Nam era Democrat like a Jane Fonda? Is a Viet Nam era Democrat like those folks in SFO that spit on us and called us Baby Killer?
I don’t think most folks blindly accept what the Republican candidate is saying. If it has not been established and obvious to Viet Nam Era Democrats that she is a liar, spinner of truth, will kiss anyone’s ass to get elected and is now down to begging Roy for a job you have learned little as yu have aged.
To the Vietnam Veteran,
Mr. Roy and I first met in August, and this blog was created in March. This blog was created to share my impressions on life and politics in Central Louisiana, and to that end, I have used the exposure this blog has received to highlight the issues, both positive and negative, that I am most passionate about.
I am satisfied with Mr. Roy’s response on the CLECO Case, and I think your opinions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the basic facts of the case. This misunderstanding, I believe, was undoubtedly informed by the Brewer campaign’s commercials and mail-outs concerning the CLECO case.
Most importantly, please understand that Mr. Sansing does not stand to receive any ratepayer refunds and that, as his attorney, Mr. Roy does not either. Sansing’s case is totally unrelated to the case the COA has. Still, you’re right: Mr. Roy will need to answer questions concerning this case, not because he is participating in any wrong-doing but because this election has so thoroughly distorted the basic facts that the average citizen is now completely confused.
I will never blindly accept what anyone tells me just because it is politically advantageous. I have an editorial responsibility to those who read this blog to work my sources and to speak the truth.
Regarding your comment about the number of pro-Roy bloggers on this site: What you’re witnessing isn’t the blind leading the blind. You’re witnessing the first manifestation of a new movement in Alexandria, people from all walks of life expressing their confidence in Mr. Roy. And yes, I think that it’s possible our current enthusiasm belies our true skepticism… but don’t worry.
Thank you for your advice. I assure you: We won’t be fading into the background.
To Lamar:
Enjoyed your response. Looking forward to your keen eye on the issues, even after the campaigns are done.
To the other bloggers, I have no bone to grind with either candidate. The main thrust of my comment was about the civic obligation to be involved, to ask questions, and to keep all elected officials on their toes, no matter which party they come from. Remember, they represent us, the voters, not themselves and not some special interest groups. At least that is the hope.
VED (Vietnam Era Democrat)
I am registered as Republican and am somewhat conservative on many issues. However, I voted for Roy and don’t like Bush. I seldom vote Republican in State and local elections. The last Republican I actually liked was Ronald Reagan. More than often I found myself voting for Bad over worse. I think Jacques is good.