Bright spot for Democrats

last updated 8 January 2015

New Orleans

Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu won a bitter re-election battle in Louisiana this week, despite last-minute help for her challenger from President Bush. The runoff vote was the last skirmish in an electoral season dominated by Republicans, and GOP leaders went all out to score one last victory. The president raised $1.2 million himself, and appeared in a commercial touting his handpicked candidate, elections commissioner Suzanne Haik Terrell. White House spokesmen said Terrell’s loss was no reflection on Bush, as Louisiana has not elected a Republican senator in 130 years. Landrieu said her win proved that the Democrats remain viable, despite losing control of the Senate last month. “The Democratic Party is alive and well.”