For Immediate Release                                              Please Contact: Lindsey Woodie

July 14, 2002                                                                                      866-325-2002

Fletcher says Alexander is “Out of Touch”

Monroe-5^th District congressional candidate Lee Fletcher said Sunday state Rep. Rodney Alexander is completely “out of touch” with the people of the 5^th District when he criticized Congressman John Cooksey in public remarks reported today.

Alexander made the following statement at the Democratic State Central Committee on Saturday according to today’s edition of The Advocate of Baton Rouge:

"I told them God had forgiven the people of the 5th District for sending John Cooksey to Washington. He has given us another chance," said Alexander according to the Baton Rouge Advocate story “Landrieu, tax-swap plan endorsed by Democrats.”

“Congressman Cooksey did a great job representing this district and he kept his word.  The ones who need to be forgiven are members of the Louisiana Legislature that raised everyone’s taxes,” Fletcher said, “Members of the Louisiana Legislature, like Rodney Alexander and the rest of the political establishment, came up short for years in getting US 165 four-laned. Congressman John Cooksey was able to secure millions of dollars in his first year in Congress on the US 165 four-lane project, which is under construction today. I was proud to be part of the Cooksey team that kept our promise and got the job done on US 165.”

Please note: Alexander voted for $613.3 million in taxes during the 2002 Special Session.

Please note: Alexander voted for $1.285 BILLION in taxes during the 2000 Tax Session.

Paid for by Fletcher for Congress.

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