Politics

Sen. Landrieu flying with Obama but skipping his New Orleans speech

Patrick Howley Political Reporter
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Democratic Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu flew on Air Force One with President Obama Friday but skipped his public appearance in New Orleans.

Landrieu’s office told the press that she is flying with Obama to Louisiana in order “to address several key issues,” but will not be appearing by his side when he speaks in New Orleans on the economy. Landrieu’s office said she had a previous engagement in Lake Charles.

Republicans in Washington Friday morning snickered about the apparent snub.

Landrieu is one of the red-state Democrats most damaged by the failure of Obamacare ahead of her 2014 re-election race. Landrieu was concerned enough to state her intention of proposing a bill to allow people to keep their existing health care plans, many of which have been wiped out under Obamacare.

“‘While those individuals who like the coverage they already have will be able to keep their current plan,'” Landrieu said on the Senate floor on Dec. 22, 2009 while reading from a document before adding, “This is a very accurate description of this bill.”

Obama’s speech to tout his goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015 is expected to receive a mixed response in the port city of New Orleans, as the administration has fallen behind pace and failed to fulfill promises.

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