An article published by NPR on Tuesday indicated that Sen. Mary Landrieu's (D-LA) tough re-election battle in Louisiana could be less about her vote for health care reform, and more about her decision to support the country's first black president.
For weeks, groups like Koch brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity have been airing advertisements telling Louisianans how Landrieu hurt their families by supporting President Barack Obama's health care reform law.
NPR's Alisa Chang recently spoke to people in Galliano, Louisiana to find out what they really thought about Landrieu.
Beau Broussard told Chang that politicians didn't run for office without stopping by to speak to the Cajuns who spend their day sitting beneath an old oak tree. He recalled that the last candidate brought some beans.
"They were delicious. Ooooo! I'd vote for him just for them white bean," Broussard said.
But if white beans could get Broussard to vote for one candidate, then a black man's health care law could be reason enough for him to oppose Landrieu.
"I don't vote for black people, lady," he said. "No, ma'am. I don't vote for black people. They got their place, I got my place. That's the way I was raised."
Broussard argued that Landrieu -- who he called "Obama lady" -- voted with the president too often. He acknowledged that she had done a lot for the state, but he said that voting for the health care law crossed the line.