Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu runs away from Obama in campaign ad


Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) is in a tricky spot as she runs for re-election. The president's party typically loses ground in midterms, and this year, with Obama's approval rating underwater and a controversial health-care law hanging over everything, could be a disastrous one for Democrats.
So what's Landrieu's solution? She's stiff-arming the president and hyping her opposition to the administration's energy policies. A minute-long spot called "Will Not Rest" features news clips — and one re-enactment, according to The Weekly Standard — of Landrieu excoriating the administration.
The "I oppose Obama, too" strategy makes sense given the political climate. Mitt Romney won the Bayou State by a 17-point margin in 2012, and President Obama has just a 39 percent approval rating there according to a February PPP poll. Meanwhile, the RNC is going all in with ads linking Landrieu to the president and his eponymous health care law.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Though ObamaCare is probably not going to sink Landrieu, the little "D" next to her name might.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.
-
Is New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free buses realistic?
Talking Points A transit innovation or a costly mistake
-
5 side hustle ideas to supplement your budget
the explainer Almost two-thirds of Americans are looking to get a second job in the next year
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections