LA-03

Louisiana Republicans Agree: Scrap Birthright Citizenship, 17th Amendment

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2010, 1:35PM

Tea Party activists in Washington, D.C.

At a Tea Party-sponsored debate in Louisiana last night, two House Republican hopefuls found a great deal of common ground. According to the Advocate, both support repealing the section of the 14th amendment that establishes birthright citizenship. Both would repeal the 17th amendment, which allows for direct election of U.S. Senators. Both would like to cut, and limit access to, Medicare and Social Security, and let charity organizations fill the gaps.

The two candidates -- Jeff Landry and Kristian Magar -- are vying to replace House Democrat Charlie Melancon of Louisiana's third district. They have third opponent as well: one-time Democrat, and former Louisiana House Speaker Hunt Downer, who didn't attend the debate. Downer is well liked, with broader appeal than his conservative rivals, but a recent change to Louisiana election law means that only registered Republicans can vote in the primary. And in Louisiana -- and the third district -- that's a minority of deeply conservative voters.

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