Hillyer on Louisiana: Now, changing the subject, a comment on my native Louisiana, to add to Rod Dreher’s cogent thoughts. (Rod: Have you been talking to our mutual friend, Lanny Keller?) Gov. Foster is a royal pain in the neck, and a Republican only through political calculation back when it helped him get elected in the first place…. but he’s basically playing a private game of hardball with the White House. Unless the Bushies fumble him away the way they fumbled Jeffords, Foster should fall into line eventually, at least nominally, once he’s gotten his extraneous concerns met.

Once he does, Suzie Terrell must be rated a slight favorite. There’s a runoff election in the heavily conservative 5th district, where the GOPer Lee Fletcher should stomp Demo Alexander — and while he’s at it, draw Cooksey-Republicans to the polls.

Other places in the state, in an off election, “chronic voters” that favor the GOP should give Suzie the edge. And Suzie always has been friendly with the leadership of the one most moderate of the four traditional New Orleans black organizations, who in past elections actually have helped give her the margin of victory. They won’t turn out FOR her this time, but they’ll stay home rather than turning out strong for Landrieu.

Early pick here is Terrell, 53, Landrieu, 47.