FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2006
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The Courier and Daily Comet:  Send Melancon Back to Congress

Major Newspapers Jointly Endorse Melancon’s Re-Election

NAPOLEONVILLE, LA – In a joint endorsement, The Courier (Houma) and Daily Comet (Thibodaux) urged voters to re-elect U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon this Tuesday. Noting that Melancon “has served the 3^rd Congressional District well,” the endorsement stated he “is still the best person for the job.” 

The Courier and the Comet credited Melancon for “play[ing] a significant role in getting the federal government to grant Louisiana its fair share of oil-and-gas money generated in the Gulf of Mexico.” The endorsement added, “politicians like Melancon will hold the key” to Louisiana getting federal money for coastal restoration and comprehensive hurricane protection. 

Turning to agricultural issues, the endorsement praised Melancon for being a “friend” to Louisiana ’s sugar farmers who “need all the help they can get in Washington .” 

Finally, the endorsement observed that Melancon’s political independence benefits the interests of South Louisianians :

“…Melancon has cut a course that is beholden to neither political party.  He has voted with the Democrats on many issues, of course. But he also is pro-life and pro-oil and gas – two issues where he frequently parts company with his fellow Dems. …Melancon might be able to use his important position in the middle to fight for some of the measures that are so near to our hearts.”

In conclusion, The Courier and Daily Comet advise voters, “Charlie Melancon has done a good job in Washington .  We urge you to let him continue that job.”

The Courier and Daily Comet endorsement completes Melancon’s sweep of endorsements from newspapers serving the Third Congressional District.  The Times-Picayune and The Louisiana Weekly have also recommended that their readers re-elect Melancon.  Over 115 local elected officials serving the Third Congressional District have also officially endorsed Melancon. A complete list can be found here: http://www.melanconforcongress.com/cm_endorsements.html

Melancon has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, Democrats for Life, Crimefighters, The Alliance for Good Government, The National Association of Homebuilders, The National Association of Realtors, and the AFL-CIO.

The full endorsement is copied below and can also be found online:  http://www.houmatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061104/OPINION02/611040301/1030

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Melancon is right choice for Congress

The Courier/Daily Comet

Saturday, November 4, 2006

The Issue: Election for 3^rd Congressional District

We suggest: Support incumbent Charlie Melancon

When you go to the polls on Tuesday, we urge you to cast your vote for Charlie Melancon, a man who has represented this district for two years in Congress and who is still the best person for the job.

Melancon, D-Napoleonville, has served the 3^rd Congressional District well and, through two hurricanes and numerous legislative battles, done his best for our area.

He has played a significant role in getting the federal government to grant Louisiana its fair share oil-and-gas money generated in the Gulf of Mexico .

He has also been busy trying to make sure the feds did not forget what happened in Louisiana in the wake of last year's devastating storms.

As Louisiana keeps up its pressure for federal money to help restore its coast and protect its people and businesses, politicians like Melancon will hold the key.

The fact that Melancon is a Democrat at a time when many pundits say the Democrats could regain control of the House could be an advantage.

More significantly, though, Melancon has cut a course that is beholden to neither political party.

He has voted with the Democrats on many issues, of course. But he also is pro-life and pro-oil and gas – two issues where he frequently parts company with his fellow Dems.

Regardless of whether the Democrats take control of the House, centrists who can swing any vote will probably enjoy an increase in power.

That's because whoever is in the majority, the majority will be slim.  To get anything passed by the full House, either side will need all or nearly all of its own members and a few from the other side.

It will be fascinating to see whether that phenomenon is able to quell some of the partisan bitterness that has permeated Washington politics over the past several decades.

More importantly, Melancon might be able to use his important position in the middle to fight for some of the measures that are so near to our hearts.

A share of the federal offshore money would create a steady stream of cash that could be use to make a dent in our coastal problems.

It could help Louisiana stem the tide of land loss and perhaps even help our state recover some of what is now lost.

Flood protection, which will be helped by wetlands restoration, also is a crucial topic.

The federal government could do a lot to protect our people, homes and businesses from the ravages of the Gulf.

Getting behind local-and state-protection measures, Congress could make the difference in many Louisianians staying or being driven off their land by the approaching sea.

In addition to those issues, Melancon also has fought for the sugar farmers who contribute so much to our local agriculture economy.

Under constant attack from imported sugar, unsteady prices and federal regulations, sugar farmers need all the help they can get in Washington .

Melancon has been that friend.

Charlie Melancon has done a good job in Washington .  We urge you to let him continue that job.