Democrat Foster Campbell brought out his biggest gun in his longshot bid for the Senate: his gubernatorial endorsement.
In stark contrast to Campbell's folksy style, Edwards offers a typically staid performance in his endorsement ad. But Edwards does take a bit of risk in his message: emphasizing that Campbell won't be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump, who won the state in a landslide.
"He will stand with the new president when he's right for Louisiana, but has the courage to say no when he's wrong," says the Governor. That provides a big distinction from the Republican nominee John Kennedy, a former Democrat who has hugged Trump in his ads to defuse questions about his ideological leanings.
Political observers say the televised endorsement is "too little too late" for a race that heavily favors a Republican. But if Campbell does pull off the upset, Edwards may be heralded as not a gubernatorial fluke, but a Democratic force at a time when the party is looking for help reaching white working-class voters.
Can the Popular Governor John Bel Edwards Deliver for Foster Campbell?
Governor John Bel Edwards does not make for a charismatic surrogate, but his approval rating is an impressive 63 percent, which is surprising for a Democrat in the deeply conservative state.In stark contrast to Campbell's folksy style, Edwards offers a typically staid performance in his endorsement ad. But Edwards does take a bit of risk in his message: emphasizing that Campbell won't be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump, who won the state in a landslide.
"He will stand with the new president when he's right for Louisiana, but has the courage to say no when he's wrong," says the Governor. That provides a big distinction from the Republican nominee John Kennedy, a former Democrat who has hugged Trump in his ads to defuse questions about his ideological leanings.
Or Is the Edwards Endorsement "Too Little Too Late"?
Governor Edwards repeats the populist and progressive themes Campbell has been stressing: "Foster could be the deciding vote against devastating cuts to Social Security and Medicare. He supports equal pay for women, and will bring our tax dollars home for roads, bridges and coastal restoration."Political observers say the televised endorsement is "too little too late" for a race that heavily favors a Republican. But if Campbell does pull off the upset, Edwards may be heralded as not a gubernatorial fluke, but a Democratic force at a time when the party is looking for help reaching white working-class voters.