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Politicians Air Fight in Public

LOUISIANA -- As reported by the Louisiana Times-Picayune: "A spat between U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, burst into public view Monday as the two urged each other in dueling letters to take the lead in opposing an American Indian gambling establishment in central Louisiana.

"In a letter he released to the media, Vitter called the governor's meeting with the chief of the Jena Band of Choctaws last fall 'deeply disturbing' and 'reminiscent of the secret negotiations the Foster administration had with the Jena Band in 2002.' Vitter, a longtime gambling opponent, urged Blanco to uphold a campaign pledge to staunch gambling expansion by refusing to sign a compact with the tribe.

"…A few hours later, Blanco shot back with a publicly released letter of her own saying she was 'disappointed' in Vitter and that his missive contained inaccuracies that 'could have been avoided if you simply called me for information.'

"…It appears that Blanco has little say over the tribe's gambling plans on 40 acres in rural Grant Parish, where voters outlawed video poker in 1996. Because the tribe wants to operate a class II gambling facility with electronic bingo machines, rather than a full-fledged casino with slots and table games, an official with the National Indian Gaming Commission said Monday, no state approval is necessary…"

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