FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 07, 2008
Kennedy Abandons Farmers to Stick with Campaign Contributor
NEW ORLEANS - In the first debate of the 2008 United States Senate campaign, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., challenged perennial candidate John Kennedy to justify his opposition to more than $1 billion in relief for Louisiana farmers impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The storms hit farmers during the harvesting season, destroying their crops and threatening their livelihoods.
Sen. Landrieu introduced a bill that was co-sponsored by four Republican senators, including Senator David Vitter, R-La. Louisiana's Republican Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has lobbied on behalf of the bill. John Kennedy's campaign backer and surrogate blocked the bill a week after contributing $5,000 to Kennedy's campaign. Kennedy then fired off an email to supporters standing by his anti-Louisiana friend and criticizing Sen. Landrieu for fighting for farmers.
When pressed on his opposition to relief for farmers, Kennedy remained silent, refusing to explain why he put politics and a senator from Oklahoma before crucial funding for Louisiana's agricultural industry.
"John Kennedy had an opportunity to explain to Louisiana's farmers why he decided to stand with an anti-Louisiana senator instead of fighting to help them recover from Gustav and Ike, but he said nothing," Landrieu spokesman Scott Schneider said. "Louisiana's communities need a senator who won't abandon them in their times of need. We can't afford a senator who will stand with campaign backers over Louisianians. John Kennedy needs to explain to Louisiana voters why he wouldn't fight to get our state's farmers the resources they need to recover from devastating hurricanes."
Kennedy Accepted $10,000 From Sen. Coburn's PAC: In the 2008 election, Kennedy has taken $10,000 from Sen. Tom Coburn's Truth, Accountability and Courage PAC (TACPAC) including $5,000 in March 2008 and $5,000 on September 22, 2008. (Kennedy FEC Filings, www.tacpac.org)
Coburn Expected To Campaign With Kennedy: In August 2008, the Daily Advertiser reported, "The [Kennedy] campaign hopes Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, will make a joint campaign stop with Kennedy. But it may have to settle for conservative Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn and other GOP surrogates." (Daily Advertiser, 8/11/08)
Coburn Blocking Disaster Relief For Louisiana Farms: Roll Call reported, "Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) is blocking movement on a billion-dollar disaster relief bill...which seeks $1.12 billion for farmlands that were ravaged by hurricanes and heavy flooding." (Roll Call, 10/2/08)
Kennedy Opposes Money For Louisiana Farmers: On October 3, 2008, Kennedy defended Coburn's opposition to hurricane relief for Louisiana farmers and criticized Senator Landrieu for working to secure $1.12 billion for farmers who suffered losses during Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. Kennedy called the effort "election year politics" (Kennedy Campaign Update, 10/3/08; Times-Picayune, 9/28/08)
