Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1984-11-02

Duration: 00:10:24

Subjects: Elections, 1984 | United States presidential election, 1984 | Politics | Reagan, Ronald | Mondale, Walter F., 1928- | Republican Party (La.) | Democratic Party (La.) | VOTER REGISTRATION | Thomas, Irma

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Ekings, Robyn Reporter
• Thomas, Irma Performer
• Despot, George Interviewee
• Bankston, Jesse Speaker
• Strother, Raymond Interviewee
• Edwards, Marion Interviewee

This segment from the November 2, 1984, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Robyn Ekings’ report on the record voter registration in Louisiana prior to the 1984 presidential election between President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, and Walter Mondale, a Democrat. Ekings reports on the increase in Republican registration and the decrease in Democratic registration, with Republicans now making up 11% of the Louisiana electorate. She interviews: George Despot, the chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, on the high number of state and local officials who are switching to the Republican Party; Raymond Strother, a Democratic political consultant, on the need to put together a new Democratic Party for the 1980s and 1990s; Marion Edwards, the chairman of the state campaign for Mondale, on the difficulty in motivating Democrats during this election; and three college students on who they plan to vote for in the election. This report also includes highlights of Irma Thomas performing at a Republican fundraiser, as well as Jesse Bankston, the chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee, speaking to the New Orleans Press Club about the conservative Democrats who are leaving the party and the organizational problems within the party. Host: Beth Courtney