Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) declined to back down from her remarks on Friday that the South “has not always been the friendliest place for African-Americans,” despite prompting outrage from Republicans.
Landrieu had told NBC News that one of the reason President Barack Obama struggles politically in the South, along with his energy policies, is the issue of race.
She held firm in a statement later on Friday, saying that “[e]veryone knows this is the truth.”
“The main reason the President has struggled here is because his energy policies are not in line with the people of Louisiana. We are a pro-drilling, pro-oil, gas state. The offshore moratorium was extremely unpopular and, in my opinion, wholly unwarranted. It made a lot of people angry and put many businesses at risk. In addition, the south has not always been the friendliest or easiest place for African Americans to advance, and it’s been a difficult place for women to be recognized as the leaders we are,” the senator said. “Everyone knows this is the truth, and I will continue to speak the truth even as some would twist my words seeking political advantage.”
Landrieu is facing a strong reelection challenge from Republican Bill Cassidy.
