Though the choices have narrowed significantly, it's Louisiana's chance to weigh in on who should be the .
Whether you're excited, torn or would prefer neither, it's not much of a winning bet to place money on anyone named something other than
Louisiana typically is an afterthought once early presidential caucuses and primaries have ended — particularly after Super Tuesday.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't vote if you're a registered Republican or registered Democrat.
You can vote for your party's likely nominee and strengthen his push to win more than enough delegates to secure the nomination before the summer conventions, or you can vote for a less-known candidate whose experience, philosophies and views align more with what you want in a president.
I get that many are not enthusiastic about a Biden-Trump rematch in November. But, if you care about the future of the United States, its governance, lifetime judicial appointments, and economic and social policies that impact our lives, you might want to look closely at the individuals asking for your vote.
I might like to share a smile, a handshake or even a drink with some candidates — until I find out what they really think about me and my people.
For example, I was going to chalk up one candidate's latest affront to a level of insouciance peculiar to folks flush with money and privilege but short on comeuppance. Having thought it over, I have reconsidered.
Donald Trump once again has insulted Black people, this time by claiming that many of us like him because we "relate" to him, because he has a mug shot, and because he's marketing expensive sneakers — and so many Black folks love high-priced sneakers.
First, I'll share my personal cards.
I've never had a mug shot. I'm not into expensive sneakers.
The closest thing to a mug shot I've ever taken appears on my driver's license, and I've never paid more than $100 for sneakers.
Even if I did have a mug shot and expensive sneakers, I can't imagine choosing a president because the candidate has either.
Yet, the Black Conservative Federation recently . That news turned some heads. What got more attention was the former president thinking it was an appropriate occasion to say his criminality gives him some sort of bond with Black people.
“A lot of people said that’s why the Black people like me, because they have been hurt so badly and discriminated against, and they actually viewed me as I’m being discriminated against," he said. "It’s been pretty amazing, but possibly, maybe, there’s something there.”
Uh, no.
Yes, people who get arrested get mugshots, and many are Black. But most Black people don't get arrested. Of those who do get mug shots, many were innocent when they were arrested, Monroe-based defense attorney Katrina Jackson-Andrews told me.
Jackson-Andrews, a self-described Christian Democrat, is also state Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews. Her northeastern Louisiana district is more conservative than some parts of the state; some of her Black constituents voted for Jeff Landry over Black Democrat Shawn Wilson in the governor's race.
She won reelection with 71% of the vote.
Trump announced at a Philadelphia sneaker convention that the Trump-branded, gold "Never Surrender High-Top Sneaker" with an American flag was selling for $399 a pair. Though "45" didn't comment about the intended audience, Trump supporters took the announcement and ran with it.
“This is connecting with Black America because they love sneakers!” said on air. “They’re into sneakers. ... this is a big deal, certainly in the inner city. So when you have Trump roll out his sneaker line, they’re like, ‘Wait a minute, this is cool!’"
Jackson-Andrews called that a "ridiculous comment."
Some Trump supporters are trying to garner Black support by posting AI-generated photographs of Trump with happy, smiling Black people. The photos are clearly fake. If you care, you can look and judge for yourself.
This is another blatant we-just-want-to-use-you outreach to Black people.
But I'm not sure enough Black people care enough.
Early voting for the Louisiana primary is underway. Election Day is March 23. In recent years, not enough of us have voted. Witness the fall gubernatorial election turnout. Jackson-Andrews is angry. She noted that fewer than 30% of Black people nationally have been voting.
We know who will win the Louisiana primaries, but turnout numbers matter.
If you're angry enough, the senator said, don't just post on social media saying how messed up it was. Vote against people who talk about you like this and do things like this.
Are you angry enough to vote?