Here’s a heads-up for voters of all political stripes. President Barack Obama is not on the ballot on Nov. 4, but Louisiana’s future is. I can certainly understand if you are confused. It’s rare to see an ad for a Republican candidate that does not have Obama’s picture plastered all over it. Are they playing the race card? Obviously. If one looks at the ads being run by Republicans in the Deep South, you get a clear picture that they are utilizing what is still prevalent racism among many Southerners. It’s time for Republicans to get over it. In the 21st century, America has a black president.

An editorial endorsement of incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu by the Gambit newspaper of New Orleans, a mainstay of the Louisiana political scene, had this to say: “Landrieu’s Republican opposition has mounted a campaign based on fear, exaggeration (if not outright falsehoods) and anger – most of it funded by out-of-state special interests that do not have Louisiana’s interests at heart. Voting against Sen. Landrieu would take away immeasurable clout from Louisiana’s delegation – clout that Landrieu has used to make life better for all of Louisiana.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. And, no, Gambit is not a Democratic rag. It is a respected publication which also endorsed Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, as well as other Republicans in this election and in past elections.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune strongly endorsed Landrieu in a front-page editorial, the first time the newspaper has done a front-page endorsement. It said, “Landrieu is a passionate advocate for Louisiana who cares deeply about its people,” noting that she has the ability to build relationships and get things accomplished in a way that “comes not only with seniority, but respect.” The endorsement also pointed out: “The Republican opposition is trying to make this a partisan race and falsely paint Sen. Landrieu as a liberal Democrat. She isn’t. In truth, a vote for Mary Landrieu for re-election should be easy for Louisianians – Democrat, Republican or Independent.”

Landrieu has been a staunch supporter of Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk, where she has played a key role in keeping the Army base a viable military installation. It takes political clout to do that.

And make no mistake about it. Barksdale is teetering on a political cliff with the ancient fleet of B-52 bombers as its main mission. If Barksdale or Fort Polk winds up on the base-closing list, it will take someone with seniority and control of federal purse strings to save one or both of them. Landrieu has that; a rookie Republican senator would not. She is chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a vital post for Louisiana, and she also chairs the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, from which she has obtained billions of dollars for the state after natural disasters.

When I was chief-of-staff for Congressman Jerry Huckaby, England Air Force in Alexandria was targeted for closure. It was in our district. We, along with other delegation members, prayed, pleaded and begged the Department of Defense to keep England from extinction. Alas, we didn’t have the clout or the purse strings to do it. Installations in other states whose members had the clout were spared. Can you imagine Northwest Louisiana without Barksdale? 

Just recently, Landrieu met face-to-face with army and state and local leaders to discuss a solution to cleaning up the explosive materials at Camp Minden. It’s a done deal. The U.S. Army will pay for the full cost of the clean-up of the M-6 propellant discovered on the grounds of Camp Minden, saving the state millions of dollars. Republican congressmen rushed to jump on the bandwagon and take credit, but it was Landrieu who got it done.

The bottom line is this. I don’t always agree with every vote Landrieu makes as my U.S. senator, and I don’t expect to. Over the years, I have voted for Republicans as often as I have for Democrats. But this race will make or break Louisiana and will have a significant impact on our state’s future and likely moreso here in Northwest Louisiana. It is time for intelligent voters to put petty, partisan politics aside and look at the big picture. Landrieu has constantly and tirelessly fought for Louisiana. She has the coveted endorsement of the nonpartisan National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Louisiana needs Landrieu. That’s why “I’m with Mary!” I hope you will be, too.