Paul Carmouche for Congress

From Right Democrat:

The 2008 election season isn't over yet in Louisiana. Voters in the 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts will go to the polls on December 6.

District Attorney Paul Carmouche has been endorsed by the Shreveport Times in the CD4 race.

Northwest Louisiana voters will make — at last — a final call Saturday on a new congressman to send to Washington, D.C.

The Times Editorial Board recommends Caddo Parish's outgoing District Attorney Paul Carmouche as the 4th District's next U.S. representative.

As a professed Blue Dog Democrat, Carmouche pledges a pragmatic, centrist approach to solving the nation's crushing issues. In philosophy, his "pro-life, pro-gun, pro-family" stances are in tune with the conservative values of a majority of his 13-parish district.

And while opponents might fret about adding one more Democrat to a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, we see Carmouche's affiliation as a political asset for the district. As a Democrat, he will have access to House leadership. As a centrist, Carmouche and other "pay as you go" Blue Dogs can work to hold the party to more moderate, fiscally responsible positions at a time of costly bailouts and stimulus plans. Says the Democrat: "I don't think Republicans have a patent on fiscal conservatism."

Carmouche has stressed energy as a key issue for the district, supporting a hybrid plan of drilling, conservation and alternative fuels. He supports expanded U.S. oil and gas exploration — a stance that runs contrary to many in his party. He also would leverage the Haynesville Shale play both as a means of expanding cleaner-burning natural gas as an alternative fuel for vehicles, and as a work force development opportunity.

After 30 years as the parish's top prosecutor, Carmouche has demonstrated the administrative skills to oversee his part of the criminal justice apparatus. You can cherry pick cases that went badly, but undeniably Carmouche's office has been effective in putting a large number of criminals behind bars. Just consider that for most of three decades Carmouche was elected without opposition.

This is not to say we are pleased with everything about Mr. Carmouche's candidacy. At 65, his ability to build seniority is limited, though term-limit fans may like that prospect. On the stump, Carmouche's public comments have been overly general at times. And the attacks and counter-attacks mounted by him and Republican John Fleming — and the national parties on their behalf — have set a political low for this new century.

But at the end of this long, hurricane-delayed congressional season, The Times believes Carmouche offers northwest Louisiana the best opportunity for both political relevance in Washington and philosophical consistency in representing the 4th Congressional District.