RIP Edwin E. 1927-2021
50th Governor of LA
Served four terms as governor of Louisiana (1972–1980, 1984–1988, and 1992–1996), twice as many elected terms as any other Louisiana chief executive.
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RIP Edwin E. 1927-2021
50th Governor of LA
Served four terms as governor of Louisiana (1972–1980, 1984–1988, and 1992–1996), twice as many elected terms as any other Louisiana chief executive.
When I lived in Corpus Christi, TX I worked a number of funerals with a black female funeral director. She was from La and previously worked in New Orleans. I once asked her if she knew Edwin Edwards. She told me everybody knew him. He would call her and start by saying "Hello Cher". He would make arrangement and pay for funerals of folks who didn't have the resources. She thought highly of him and I thought highly of her so that made me some kind of fan of Gov. Edwards. He practiced retail politics of the highest order.
Had no use for him when he was alive and never voted for him, Back when he was running it cost 5 bucks and a barbecue to get that vote for Edwards.
Louisiana politics at its finest.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gator 45/70
The best politicians money can buy! memtb
His passing came as a surprise to the wife and I. Didn't even know he was ill. So when KATC channel 5 over here announcing his death we were stunned. Rest in Peace. Frank
Ex wife took me to his election night party.
He was a lovable crook. He could charm the panties off of about any woman.
RIP Gov. Edwin Edwards. Larger than life personality. Was he a crook? Never was proven. He had his fans, he had his haters. But, you knew he was a politician, therefore you knew what had to be done to either go along, or fight him on some particular issue! Some of the stories, like suitcases full of cash, who knows what the truth was! The stuff of legends. I’m sorry for his family for suffering loss.
I have to agree on that one!Quote:
Originally Posted by farmerjim
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He was convicted and did 8 yearsQuote:
Originally Posted by Budzilla 19
It was proven lol
Right before He went to prison and I was a young police officer
I was working an outdoor festival and he, his wife at the time Candy, and his son were there
They were standing next to me most of the night with a big bag of popcorn and gave me some throughout the night. We talked about a relative of mine he practiced law with for a while.
A lot of people don’t know this but he was fluent in French and most of his state trooper security team did as well so they could communicate in public without being understood.
He was a classic Louisiana politician in the style of Huey P. Long… He was a crook, but was a lovable crook by all accounts other than those of his sworn enemies.
He spoke “Cajun French” because he grew up in South Louisiana, beginning his Law Practice in Crowley (Which sits between Lafayette and Lake Charles in SW Louisiana). Like many people from that area in his age group Cajun French was his first language, and was likely most comfortable to him… That generation immediately goes to French when they are among other people fluent in the dialect, even if they are excellent English speakers… It’s a common trait here.
I imagine picking Troopers that spoke the language for his security detail was more so that they could understand the conversations, or even if he suddenly broke into French while talking to them… It would make sense for a bilingual that in reality viewed English as a second language.
Although I wasn’t an Edwards fan I did have to laugh at his antics occasionally, and you had to respect some of his unusual effectiveness.
My favorite “Edwards only” trick was as Hurricane Andrew came into The Gulf.
Andrew blistered Florida, leaving some areas weeks without clean water, months without rebuilding supplies…
Edwards had Louisiana DECLARED a National Disaster Area while the hurricane was STILL in The Gulf… Had Federal funds in the bank before the storm made landfall in Louisiana!
Trucks with food, water, and building supplies were staged and waiting. As soon as the storm passed the supplies were on the way… It was unheard of.
When Edwards was asked later how that was even possible, he grinned and said, “I knew it was coming…”…. THAT was classic Edwin, smiling with a glint in his eye…
Ain't that the truth ... He was a charmer .Quote:
Originally Posted by farmerjim
Passed away at 93 and left a seven year old son and young wife ! WOW
Gary
Living in far S.E. Oklahoma (not that far from Louisiana), I probably watched more news out of Shreveport than Tulsa or Oklahoma City. Gov. Edwin Edwards was a Jim Dandy no doubt. I was raised in a family with an uncle who spent 22 years in the House of Representative's, my father was a lobbyist for 20 years for the largest, corrupt labor union at the same time. A host of other family members were also elected officials at one level or another. I guess I'm kind of like the Allstate commercial, I've seen a few things. I can't remember when I first started seeing news reports on Gov. Edwards. What I did know, was Louisiana had a dandy on their hands.
Huey P. Long? Now there's one for the books!
Murphy
Isn't "politician" and "crook" redundant?
They ever plant him yet? He should start stinking in a few days?
YesterdayQuote:
Originally Posted by Gator 45/70
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I can't say I was ever a fan of Edwards as a politician, though he was very effective in that capacity. IN person it was hard not to like the man. I met him twice. The first time he was standing in line behind me in a Burger King restaurant in Baton Rouge. The second time he was in a local gun shop buying some shotgun shells to go on a dove hunt. Both times he spoke to me like I was an old friend. Consummate politician.
Well, it is a little more complicated than that. There are two kinds of politicians. The first enrich themselves and their friends while taking care of the people. The second enrich themselves and their friends, while not giving a spit about helping the people.Quote:
Originally Posted by richhodg66