November 28, 2008

Shreveport, LA - Governor Bobby Jindal joined John Fleming's campaign today, endorsing Fleming in Louisiana's 4th Congressional District race.

"John Fleming will be a conservative voice in Washington and stand up for Louisiana's value," said Governor Jindal. "As both a successful businessman and a doctor, John knows Congress needs to get to work right away to cut spending, reenergize the economy and improve the nation's healthcare system."

"I want to thank Governor Jindal for his support. I am honored and humbled to have him join our campaign and I thank him for his leadership and giving us a Louisiana we can be proud of," said Fleming.

"There is much work to be done and it is clear that solid conservative values are needed now, more than ever, in Washington. We need long term solutions to fix an economy that is broken. Our health care system needs meaningful reform. I will fight any measure to increase regulation on drilling. I will work to ensure our veterans receive the benefits our country has promised them. And I will stand strong on national security.

I look forward to working with Governor Jindal as a member of Louisiana's Congressional delegation and together we will continue to make this a stronger and more prosperous state."

Minden: This Week Dr. John Fleming Has Announced His Economic Plan for Prosperity. The plan has major points regarding tax cuts and making sure that taxpayers are protected.

"We need to stop Washington's wasteful spending and prosecute the crooks. We need to make sure that taxpayers are protected from this financial crisis. I believe there are also pro family tax cuts and pro businesses efforts that are needed now," said Dr. John Fleming.

1. Stop bogus bailouts where AIG corporate executives get a $85 billion bail out and go on a nearly half million dollar vacation spending spree and seek $38.7 billion more. Click here to view the AIG invoice.

2. Stop wasteful government spending by making every agency justify its budgets and meet higher performance and accountability standards. Eliminate automatic agency budget increases by making the performance standards required in order to be considered for funding each year.

3. Drill in America now so that American jobs are protected and stop sending billions overseas to countries that oppose us.

4. Protect our economy by creating jobs, cutting taxes and making ALL health care and education expenses tax deductible for families.

5. Iraq should pay America Back.

6. Support alternative fuels and make America energy independent.

7. Eliminate capital gains taxes and inheritance taxes. One's death should not become a taxable event for the government.

8. Put in place recapture provisions so that those that have gotten a bail out cannot take billions without paying the American taxpayer back.

9. Put government on a low tax diet and reduce fraud and abuse with stronger prosecution and internal controls. Enforce laws on the books to stop illegal immigration.

10. Require that mortgage loans backed by government entities go to only those that are credit worthy.

Opinion
By Dr. Jeff Sadow, Ph.D.

Raucous Republicans
It's unusual that Republican candidates attack one another prior to a party primary, particularly when the eventual nominee will face a competitive Democrat in a conservative district. It is unprecedented when two of them jointly make disparaging remarks about another, but that's the situation with the 4th Congressional District contest.

Minden physician Dr. John Fleming and Bossier City lawyer Jeff Thompson separately have issued similar statements expressing dismay with Shreveport trucking executive Chris Gorman's campaign, in essence calling it misleading. Some background is in order.

Fleming and Gorman long ago contemplated a run for the office and began the groundwork for it. As they politicked Republicans after incumbent Republican Rep. Jim McCrery announced his retirement, some were not taken by either ­- Fleming because of some actually well-reasoned but, at least to the Louisiana voter, controversial issues (such as minor privatization of Social Security) that might detract from his candidacy in the general election, and Gorman because some aspects of his background were judged to make him largely unelectable in this district.

After some recruitment by these folks, Thompson finally came onto the scene, really nothing much more than a new alternative since on 90% of the issues all three agree.
But his late entry, the waning influence of the main force behind his candidacy, McCrery and his allies, and the fact that he is perceived as the "establishment's" anointed candidate in an election cycle where that may not go over too well, have not translated into as much support as they would like.

Only a few polls' numbers have been released that since the middle of June most often show Fleming leads, Gorman behind, and Thompson trailing.

What must be understood here is that personality and the ability to define oneself as a candidate, given the similar issue preferences on which all would be acceptable to Republicans, are the primary concerns of Republicans to put up the best candidate possible in terms of image against former First Judicial District Attorney Paul Carmouche, the prohibitive favorite for the Democratic nomination.

Carmouche has little going for him ­- a largely undistinguished tenure in office with some grumbling about its quality ­- except that he's a familiar face and can credibly sound conservative on a limited range of issues in order to inoculate himself from the fact that he will support most of a very liberal agenda in Washington, an ideology profoundly out of step with the district's majority.

Further, he already is polling in a way that indicates he plans on running an extremely negative general election campaign, as a distraction from this reality. Therefore, the GOP nominee should be a solid conservative who won't give ammunition to a negative campaign about themselves that will throw them off the message tying Carmouche to his liberal Washington masters. It's with Gorman that district Republicans are
concerned Carmouche could do the most damage.

Simply, it will be an easy contrast for Carmouche to make his long service in office with Gorman's leaving the area for many years apparently having little to do with his present position, itself seeming to all the world to be a coming home gift from his family.

Worse, the solid conservative credentials he needs seem undermined by the fact he was not a Republican for many years, donated in recent years to a Democrat's congressional campaign in Oklahoma, and only re-registered to vote as a Republican in 2005.

Even his integrity could be under fire for his claim he had obtained an executive MBA at Harvard because the school does not verify this, and it is a stretch to say he created hundreds of jobs at the family's trucking firm, making Gorman look principled by saying whatever he needs to get elected

These things no doubt were noticed long ago by Democratic strategists and they would greatly incapacitate Gorman's ability to draw issue-laden differences with Carmouche, who has a ample warchest that could obscure this tactic.

One could write off the Thompson campaign's criticism as strategy of a trailing candidate (Thompson's camp claims that he's close to the others, but never has released results to support that contention), but that front-runner Fleming's has joined in shows a number of GOP activists are worried that a Gorman nomination forwards a politician too vulnerable to win.

At this point, it appears a tactical, tacit alliance has been made between Fleming and Thompson in the hopes they can ace Gorman out of the runoff. Should they fail, it will be no surprise at all if the loser endorsers the other. Plaguing GOP minds particularly is a runoff with Gorman would be primarily a negative campaign - not what is needed with Carmouche sharpening his knives all the while.

Dr. Jeff Sadow is an associate professor of political science at LSUS. His views are his own. E-mail: jsadow@lsus.edu

By John Andrew Prime • September 4, 2008 • Shreveport Times

The Rev. Billy McCormack, founding member of the national board of the Christian Coalition and director of the National Pastors' Council for the Christian Coalition, has endorsed Dr. John Fleming in the latter's bid for the 4th Congressional District seat now held by fellow Republican Jim McCrery.

"Dr. Fleming epitomizes the integrity and character needed in the U.S. Congress," McCormack said. "His stand on issues vital to our nation's social, political, and economic well-being mirrors the mission set forth by the Christian Coalition at its founding."

McCormack cited among Fleming's pluses for the job his being "a mature, humble and godly man who has been active in our nation's military; effective in the practice of medicine; experienced in building several successful businesses; held public office; raised children who love God; and is active in the First Baptist Church of Minden."

The party primary was to have been held Saturday, but that has been postponed due to the effects of Hurricane Gustav on electrical power in the parishes and the disruption of communications with government offices in Baton Rouge.

Unless the election rescheduling impacts them, other elections in this fall's cycle will be Oct. 4, when judges and other municipal officials are chosen, and Nov. 4, the general election, which will include the contest for president and other federal officials.

By Veronica Johnson

Dr. John Fleming, 4th Congressional District candidate, shook hands with George Feldtman after Fleming's campaign stop in DeRidder. Fleming held a town hall meeting in City Council chambers Wednesday.

Beauregard Daily News
Thu Aug 28, 2008, 10:05 AM CDT

Dr. John Fleming met with citizens of DeRidder at a town hall meeting in City Council chambers Wednesday afternoon. Fleming is hoping to clinch the 4th Congressional District seat, being vacated by the retirement of Jim McCrery.

The 29-year practicing family physician and former Navy medical officer told supporters that sending a doctor to Washington would help heal the ailing congress. Fleming was accompanied by his wife, Cindy during the campaign stop. They have four adult children and live in Minden - approximately 30 miles east of Shreveport.

Fleming considers himself to be a Conservative Republican, citing several reasons he falls into that category.

He is pro-life, stating that he supports the Sanctity of Human Life Amendment. He supports marriage to be defined as exclusively between a man and woman. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association and said that he defends the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

When asked by audience members about his views on income taxes, Fleming said that he supports the Fair Tax Plan. That plan, in simple terms, eliminates income tax and places the tax on purchased goods. He was also asked about the price of fuel and what his plans were to help with increasing oil costs. Fleming told voters that while he does support more drilling in the United States, he also believes that alternative forms of fuel should be used. He gave examples of drilling for coal and natural gas.

Fleming also discussed his plan to provide quality medical insurance for small business owners and employees. He said, "We need to reform insurance laws. They were created in the 1940s." He talked about ways to make insurance companies competitive, such as allowing them to work over state borders.

"I know and understand the economics of healthcare because I live it everyday with my patients," Fleming said.

Fleming answered questions concerning border security, overseas manufacturing, and military support. As a military veteran, Fleming said that he understands the needs and concerns of the military and their family members. He said, "Active duty, veterans, and retired vets are a special class of people, particularly those serving in combat. Nothing is too good for them."

He said that he supports increases in college benefits for veterans, along with health benefits and more support for those with combat injuries. Fleming said, "Anything and everything we can do, we should do."

Beauregard Daily News will continue to maintain balanced reporting throughout Election 2008, covering each political candidate who visits Beauregard Parish for town hall meetings.

By Dr. Jeff Sadow, Ph.D.

Exclusive: Poll in the 4th

The 4th Congressional District contest has taken another turn with a front-runner emerging among the competitive Republicans, and the reason why that could make him the favorite come the general election.

A new poll commissioned by Republican Dr. John Fleming shows him pulling away from the other two GOP candidates, Chris Gorman and Jeff Thompson.

The respected Southern Media and Opinion Research group puts him at 43 percent of Republican voters, while Gorman checks in at 17 percent and Thompson at 15 (the remainder of the sample of 350 don't know or wouldn't say).

More remarkable is that fundraising totals would have predicted the opposite order. Of these candidates, Fleming and Gorman had raised substantially the same money, significantly ahead of Thompson; however, the majority in both cases was from their own funds.

Thompson has tossed in only $50,000 of his own but independently raised more than either opponent. Most interesting is that Gorman has independently raised almost three times as much as Fleming.

Often a good indicator of candidate success comes from donations. Giving to a candidate not only signals a very high likelihood of the donor voting for the candidate (unless multiple candidates in that race are so blessed by that individual), but also usually means that donor will pull in friends and family to do so accordingly. There's no bigger booster of a candidate than somebody who already put his money down on him or her.

By that metric, Thompson ought to be doing best, followed by Gorman and Fleming. Historically, heavy and sufficient (i.e. a few hundred thousand dollars) self-financing of a campaign will make you competitive but far from guarantees a win.

The success of Fleming, with about 80 percent of his campaign self-financed, also is all the more remarkable given his strategic base of Minden is much smaller than the Shreveport (Gorman)-Bossier (Thompson) metropolitan population.

This means Fleming's success must be due to a convincing message well delivered. Such an explanation also is consistent with the results of a poll announced in mid-June by Gorman which, while short on details, appeared to read that while a majority of voters had yet to state a preference, the plurality that did chose Gorman.

Only he at that time had cranked up major campaign efforts. Since then, Fleming and Thompson have joined him and it would appear Fleming is sweeping up the majority of more recent deciders.

On issue preferences, there actually is not a lot of difference among the three, all mainstream conservatives dissatisfied with business as usual in Washington. But what seems to set Fleming apart is while the other two's backgrounds show they took advantage of opportunity, Fleming made his own breaks.

For example, while Thompson (after experience in, of all places, almost certain Democrat nominee former Caddo District Attorney Paul Carmouche's law practice) eventually established his own law practice and headed the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.

And Gorman came into his family's trucking business, Tango Transport. Fleming not only built a practice from the bottom up with nothing, he then diversified into doing the same with Subway and UPS franchises, probably creating more jobs than the Bossier Chamber or Tango.

This shows initiative appealing to the conservative Republican base in northwest Louisiana, and that may be what could give the edge to Fleming over the very politically experienced Carmouche in the general election.

While he may have the job of a prosecutor down pat, to date he has appeared very unsteady to run the Democrats' Southern playbook of enunciating vaguely broad, popular platitudes, giving a conservative line on God and guns, and deflecting any other inquiries highlighting the liberal Democrat agenda supported by the party leadership on which he will be required to vote (if not willingly) its way most of the time if elected.

Worse, he seems to have little grasp about other important issues or, in his haste to obscure his and/or his party's preference, tries to talk around them (his obscurant, rambling non-answer to a question about the Employee Free Choice Act which would permit union intimidation of workers on YouTube is becoming legendary in the district).
Fleming's no-nonsense, straightforward approach - a good example being how his criticism of the Louisiana Legislature's attempted pay raise well before its veto distinguished him as one of the "common men" disgusted with career politicians - would provide an effective counter to Carmouche's evasiveness that reinforces the stereotype of the Democrat as a career politician.

Local Republicans have been hoping a leader would emerge among their three candidates so as to concentrate fire on Carmouche as early as possible. Despite the odds, Fleming may prove to be the answer.

Dr. Jeff Sadow is an associate professor of political science at LSUS. His views are his own. E-mail: jsadow@lsus.edu

By Nathan L. Gonzales, Roll Call Contributing Writer

John Fleming is ahead in the crowded GOP field in Louisiana's 4th district, according to a just-released poll for his campaign.

Fleming, who is a doctor and a businessman, received 43 percent in the survey, conducted July 25-27 by Southern Media & Opinion Research. Businessman Chris Gorman, who works for his family's trucking company, was second with 17 percent, and former Bossier Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Thompson was third with 15 percent.

Retiring Rep. Jim McCrery (R) threw his support behind Thompson, hoping to propel him to the top of a field of previously unknown candidates. But according to this survey, Fleming is in the driver's seat with a month to go before the Sept. 6 primary.

The winner of the GOP primary will face Caddo district attorney Paul Carmouche (D) in what is expected to be a very competitive race, particularly in light of recent Democratic success in the special elections in Louisiana's 6th district and Mississippi's 1st district. Carmouche is on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's list of "Red to Blue" candidates who are targeted to receive help from the national party.

Recent internal Democratic polling appeared to reinforce the GOP findings.

A Kitchens Group survey conducted for the Carmouche campaign found that in a hypothetical GOP primary, Fleming led his fellow Republicans with 27 percent, Gorman took 20 percent, Thompson polled at 14 percent, and 37 percent of those voting in the Republican primary were undecided. The poll of 600 likely voters was conducted July 16-21 and had a 4-point margin of error.

John McArdle contributed to this report.

Baton Rouge: Today, Dr. John Fleming qualified in the open 4th Congressional District at 8:10 am.

"I am not an insider. I believe a doctor could do a great deal to heal a sick place like Washington. As a physician, I am the only candidate sworn to protect life. As a veteran, I am sworn to protect our constitution. My campaign is about faith, family and integrity. We are definitely in it to win it," said Dr. John Fleming as he qualified at the Secretary of State’s Office.

"Our campaign is not about insiders and is much more focused on issues that matter to the people like cutting wasteful spending, reducing rising gas prices, grocery prices and taxes. As the only candidate who has directly created over 500 jobs, and with service in the navy, I am uniquely proven in the areas of job creation and supporting our national defense. I believe it is critical to elect a congressman who will live in the district, as I will, as an actual resident and not just a legal resident so voters have a chance to see and speak directly with their congressman," Fleming added.

"I am also the only candidate to issue a Pledge to Working Families which is a clear and specific set of conservative commitments to every family in the 4th congressional district. I will work for the people and put people ahead of politics," Fleming concluded.