Absence irritates Congress hopefuls

• By SARAH CHACKO
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Oct 23, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

The two candidates running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux are questioning the congressman’s absence from public forums, some of which were canceled because Cazayoux did not attend.

“He’s been absent in times when people really need to hear more about what he stands for,” said state Rep. Michael Jackson, No Party-Baton Rouge.

Cazayoux, D-New Roads, said he enjoys forums and debating the issues with his opponents. But his campaign schedule was pushed back because of work he had to do in Washington, D.C., he said.

“Unfortunately, we had hurricanes and then a (national) financial crisis that demanded our attention,” Cazayoux said.

Congress adjourned on Oct. 3 and, at this time, is scheduled to return in January.

State Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and Jackson are challenging Cazayoux for the 6th U.S. Congressional District seat in a Nov. 4 election. The winner only has to receive the most votes, not a 50 percent plus one majority.

Cassidy, who called for more debates three weeks before the election, said he thought several organizations had already planned on hosting forums  early on.

“This has been something that has evaporated in front of us,” he said.

Cassidy points to attack advertisements regarding statements he made about the failing Social Security Trust Fund. Cassidy said he merely listed the options that the federal government has to weigh and now Democrats are saying those options are his plan.

“When you try and have a serious discussion, it is the subject of attack ads,” Cassidy said. “The voter should have a chance to hear directly from us.”

Incumbents, who usually have the advantage, are less inclined to give their opposition the opportunity to debate, said William Arp, a political science professor at Southern University.

“Normally, when you have candidates behind in the polls, they want as much interaction by way of forums or debates so they can showcase the differences between them and other candidates,” Arp said.

At a Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce forum Tuesday, Jackson mentioned Cazayoux’s absence more than once, saying the congressman was “conveniently absent.”