Dems Eye One Last House Seat Pick-Up

Election '08 still not over!

Democrats have one more change to add to their gains on Satuday, when voters for to the polls to decide of a replacement for retiring GOP Rep. Jim McCrery in Louisiana's 4th congressional district.

Democrat Caddo Parish district attorney Paul Carmouche faces off against Republican John Fleming and two self-identified "conservative" independent candidates in what is expected to be a close race. If Carmouche wins, it would leave the Democrats up 22 seats this cycle.

Little polling has been done recently, but a survey of 600 likely voters conducted for Carmouche by the Kitchens Group shortly after the November 4 election showed the Democrat leading Fleming by 10 points.

Indicted Congressman William Jefferson (D) is also defending his seat in Saturday's election, but is expected to win easily in a heavily Democratic district. Jefferson defeated his Democratic primary challenger in October.

The two races were delayed after primaries were pushed back to October due to the damage caused by Hurricane Gustav.

Camouche has tried to walk a delicate tightrope in courting support in a Republican-leaning district. The Democrat has linked himself closely to president-elect Barack Obama in hopes of increasing black turnout, while touting his endorsement by the Blue Dog Coalition to appeal to white conservative voters.

He's courted Obama's support, but has so far received little help from the president-elect. Obama cut a radio ad for the Democrat reminding voters to go the polls on Saturday, but has said little in support of Camouche and has not knocked his Republican opponent. Michelle Obama meanwhile is featured in a robocall in the district, but offers only lukewarm support in it.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe wrote a fundraising email for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee urging donors to contribute to Camouche's campaign, but did not send the email to Obama's massive donor list.

Unlike the Georgia senate runoff, where Obama staffers came to help Democrat Jim Martin with turnout and last-minute campaigning, Camouche has not been aided by Obama's team, prompting some complaints from Democratic operatives on the ground.

But even if Obama and his staff are not doing all they could, the DCCC has poured staff and resources into the race, spending more than $1.5 million in the district.

Democrats have attacked Fleming on class lines, painting the businessman as wealthy and out of touch, and also as not tough enough on illegal immigration.

Fleming in turn has aggressively tried to paint Camouche as too liberal, hitting him on tax cuts and gun rights during the race's only debate on Thursday. The National Republican Congressional Committee is running ads in the district accusing the Democrat of being soft on crime as part of a $950,000 investment in the race.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has thrown his weight behind Fleming, cutting a television ad for the Republican and campaigning with him. Vice President Dick Cheney has also come to the district to raise funds for the Republican.

Copyright POLIT - Politico
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