PoliticsDavid Wassermanlouisiana-6thEat The Press

Veteran Political Analyst Has Terrifying Encounter With House Candidate

Veteran Political Analyst Has Terrifying Encounter With House Candidate
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Eat The Press Editor, HuffPost

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Would it be fair to argue that the Cook Political Report is the Zagat of politics, subjecting candidates to thorough reviews and evaluating national political races accordingly? If so, here is the Zagat version of veteran Cook analyst David Wasserman's review of Louisiana state Rep. Lenar Whitney, one of the many Republicans running in Louisiana's 6th District blanket primary on Nov. 4.

Louisiana state Rep. LENAR WHITNEY (R), candidate, Louisiana's 6th Congressional District

PERSONALITY: 12
GRASP OF ISSUES: 3
SENSE OF PURE ANIMAL TERROR: 30
LEFT SHAKEN BY ENCOUNTER: OH GOD, YES

Our Summary Review
"Fourth in the GOP field" but first among "climate deniers," Louisiana state Rep. Lenar Whitney succeeds in standing out among the "over 300 congressional candidates over the course of seven years" that this reviewer has sampled. Where the average candidate is "accustomed to tough questions" and typically capable of merely leaving one feeling "impressed" or merely "underwhelmed," Whitney -- a self-described "Palin of the South" who "relishes poking Democrats in the eye" -- stands apart from the candidates met in "hundreds of Cook Political Report meetings" by being not just "fact-averse" but, indeed, "the most frightening candidate I've met in seven years interviewing congressional hopefuls." The best moment was when Whitney "fled the room." Sure to be somebody's "worst nightmare."

Let's all wish Wasserman quick relief from whatever night terrors will arise from this encounter.

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