[StBernard] GOVERNOR'S RACE ABOUT PEOPLE, NOT PARTY]

[Westley Annis]

BOASSO: GOVERNOR'S RACE ABOUT PEOPLE, NOT PARTY

	The State Central Committee of the Louisiana Republican Party met in
Lafayette on Saturday, but lacked quorum to take action on a recommended
endorsement policy for the state party.  The proposed policy would have
prohibited the Executive Committee of the Party from issuing endorsements
without the input of the full SCC, and would have established specific
guidelines for endorsement proceedings that included Republican citizens
from a variety of organizations - not just elected officials.

	Today, state Senator Walter Boasso, a candidate for governor, sent a
letter
to members of the Executive Committee of the state party reiterating his
earlier statements that political party affiliations should be minimized and
the will of the people put first.

	"For too long, the political process in Louisiana has been hijacked
by
special interests, politicians and the very powerful," Boasso wrote.  "At
this turning point in our history and with the crucial elections coming this
year, I believe it is vital that any procedure for making endorsements
incorporate as many people as possible."

	Boasso wants the people of Louisiana to choose their next governor
and
restore the political process to a representative democracy - not a
political machine operated by party elite.

"This weekend's meeting of the SCC is a reminder to all of us that it should
be the people who decide who holds office in Louisiana, not a select few,"
Boasso wrote.  "This philosophy should be embraced by the Democratic Party,
as well, eliminating the misuse of party labels and political elite to
manipulate the political process and dictate matters that should clearly be
the will of the people of Louisiana."

In making his announcement of candidacy two weeks ago, Boasso pledged that
he will work with elected officials of any party or no party, but has
insisted that leaders must "check their party labels at the front door and
do what needs to be done for the people of Louisiana."

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