Link appears to have been removed. Anyway, ColdChef, I'm gonna be down there in a few weeks, working for a few days in the Lower 9th. Any suggestions?

Gah! Here's the article:

Republicans Ready to Usher in "Golden New Era" Louisiana

Just two days away from the start of the special legislative session, Republicans in town gearing up for the big event aren't just thinking about levee protection and housing needs.

Saturday at the Republican State Central Committee Meeting, Republicans said now is the opportunity for a golden new era, saying their party's momentum picked up significantly long before Hurricane Katrina displaced thousands of Democratic voters across the country and destroyed its fundraising base in New Orleans.

Republicans point to 2004 when voters here help re-elect President Bush, and voted in Louisiana's first Republican U.S. Senator since reconstruction.

For those Republicans packed inside the state central meeting, the theme for 2006 appears to be one of second victories, and strong ones at that. The entire Louisiana GOP state central committe, from the vice-chairman, to the treasurer, to the secretary, even the chairman Roger Villere, all won re-election easily.

But it's trying to make the political comeback by winning back the state in the new Katrina world that's at the forefront for Louisiana Republicans.

Republicans say to reclaim the state, first they must win a Republican majority in both the state House and Senate, controlled right now by Democrats. But for the first time in Louisiana history, legislators are facing term limits, and for Republicans, that spells opportunity.

This Tuesday in his State of the Union speech, President Bush offended many Louisianians when he spent little more than 40 seconds on Hurricane Katrina. But Louisiana Republican party officials say Democratic leaders simply haven't done their job, and have instead left rebuilding up to the federal government.

As the Republicans try to snag more statewide elected offices, former legislative auditor Dan Kyle there today told me that he is possibly considering another run for insurance commissioner but that he isn't one hundred percent sure right now. The new commissioner of insurance Jim Donelon is also a Republican, and says he will run for the job in September.

Ummm...any suggestions for what?

ugh, talk about adding insult to injury ColdChef! Haven't you all suffered enough?

Aw, crap. Fucking Republicans.