Politics is an ugly business. Case in point: Pat Bergeron and his Web site LaNewslink.com. Bergeron and his Web site—masquerading as a “news” site—began offering his services for sale to political candidates. Bergeron, in a 2006 Advocate article, said of his blog, “It's my own personal news service. I use it as my own political podium.” At that time, his online venom was directed at state Sen. Jay Dardenne, who was running against Mike Francis for secretary of state. Bergeron had been paid $34,000 by the Francis campaign. And, it is Bergeron who has been the primary promoter of daily attacks on state Senate candidate Lee Domingue using half-truths and misrepresentations of the full story.
Political consultant Korey Harvey told The Advocate that most of these Internet sites "parade themselves as legitimate news sources" without revealing conflicts of interest. "Blogs don't exist under those same rules, those ethical standards," Harvey said. "They are for hire … It's like a cycle of gossip."
Count Mike Strain, the state's agriculture commissioner, among those who are no fans of Bergeron's operation. "Bergeron worked for my opponent [in 2007]," he told me last week. "He tries to pass off his content as real news, which it is not. He was vicious when he attacked me. Bergeron has no credibility—period.” Campaign finance expense records show that Wayne “Spider” Carter, Strain's opponent, paid $14,000 to Bergeron for “research.”
You get the picture? Bergeron called me earlier this year. When I asked him why he was so critical of Domingue, he replied, “Well, no one from the Domingue camp invited me to the dance.” He also proclaimed, “No one gets elected in this district without me.” I wonder if the voters in District 16 know he claims to control their destiny? Interestingly, Bergeron used to work with Roy Fletcher (Claitor’s political consultant), and somehow only video interviews of Claitor appear on Bergeron’s site. And he only criticizes Domingue. Hmmm. I'm certain if someone from the other side paid Bergeron the right amount he would change and suddenly Domingue would be praised for overcoming many challenges.
I have known Bergeron for many years, but what he has done in this race is despicable and beneath contempt. I am sure I will be his next target, but the truth is out. His LAnewslink has become the equivalent of a porn site for political voyeurs.
Comments
Posted by LiberatedTiger on March 24, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if Bergeron likes to doctor photos (for research sake, of course) of Kip Holden???
Hmmm....
Still don't like Domingue, though. Sorry.
Posted by clbluesky on March 24, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bergeron is definitely real bad news, so is Domingue.
We do not need another extreme hate-filled religious fanatic public official (goodness knows we have enough of them now)- WOW!
Posted by jtoussaint2 on March 24, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bergeron is low life. He's been using that site for too long; finally, someone has called him out.
At the same time, Domingue is a bad candiate.
Posted by truthinprint on March 24, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is a 'supporter for hire' any better than a 'publisher for hire'???? Don't fool yourself. Politics is an ugly game. Ask some of those who've sought your support, Rolfe, and been given the negative treatment from the "REAL Power King of EBR". All hail Rolfe!!!
Posted by jsanderssr on March 24, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You say Bergeron uses half truths to besmirch domingue. If his allegations are 1/100th true they paint domingue as quite the sleazebag and hardly a viable senatorial candidate. You must not be receiving the same campaign materials from domingue as I do-they fling as much mud as a Mississippi River dredge boat while he attempts to provide a chaste and holy demeanor on the TV ads.
You're doing the same thing as you accuse Bergeron of doing, for you and Bobby's boy.
Posted by Voice_of_Reason on March 24, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this a joke - news for hire? More disclosure concerning Domingue and his relationship with McCollister is in order. The Business Report has no standing whatsoever to criticize Bergeron given its practices of late.
Domingue contributed over $100k to the pac run by McCollister. Well, surprise, surprise, he not only received an endorsement, but also continued positive spin and articles like the above, all without proper disclosure. Given the recent coverage surfacing in The Advocate concerning Domingue, readers would be right in expecting closer examination and measured judgement from the Business Report. Instead, reader beware applies here, too.
Posted by southofthesouth on March 24, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm shocked.
Posted by Diva on March 24, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hypocrisy abounds. I agree 100% with Voice_of_Reason.
Whether you agree with Bergeron or McCollister, it's good to have both sides put facts out and voters can at least make an informed decision.
So far, I haven't seen any negative facts put out about Claitor - only criticism that he and Bergeron are doing a disservice to Domingue, who seems to have some serious flaws.
And Liberated Tiger, as I recall, the consultant who put out the doctored photos of Holden was Scott Wilfong, not Pat Bergeron. Wilfong has not disclosed who paid him to do the dirty work.
Posted by pmccarron on March 24, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I Love LANEWSLINK & The Business Report
Freedom of Speech!
Freedom of Media!
Yeah Baby!
I Love it!
(Last time I checked we are living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana-U.S.A. not Havana-Cuba or North Korea AND the Fairness Doctrine has not been passed by the Democrat Party yet.)
Posted by pmccarron on March 24, 2009 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.lanewslink.com/
Posted by Fullcircle11 on March 25, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a native of Baton Rouge and as local Realtor I was one of the first people to meet Lee and Laura Domingue. My husband and I welcomed them into our community (which can be a hard nut to crack) and have been impressed with all that they have done for so many. Let me be clear-- the "facts" and accusations that have been stated about Lee have been twisted beyond belief. Lee is a man of character. We hope that you will look beyond the smears to see the truth about who Lee Domingue is. I believe you will find that he is the best candidate to serve Louisiana for such a time as this.
Posted by Diva on March 25, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gee Fullcircle, your experience with Domingue is that same as that of McCollister & Jindal. You've made money off of Domingue, so he's the "best candidate"??? Oh please. At least you were honest up front about why you like him. Yes, he's a character all right.
Posted by LiberatedTiger on March 26, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fullcircle11, a lot of people thought The Stanford Group had character too with the way they threw money around to various charitable organizations. It just goes to show you how this kind of behavior can grease the skids for some in our town.
Posted by fourx5 on March 26, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Bergeron, in a 2006 Advocate article, said of his blog, “It's my own personal news service. I use it as my own political podium.”
As if there's any difference between him and Matt Drudge.
Posted by fourx5 on March 26, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, after re-reading this column, I think Rolfe needs some time off. The "video news releases" put out by his hero George Bush's administration in order to sway public opinion by masquerading as legitimate news are the exact same thing as Bergeron's web site, but I doubt you'd catch Rolfe hoping for GWB to fail because of it.
Kind of sucks when people use your own tricks against you, hunh Rolfe?
Just do a Google search on "bush video news release" to find out how extensively the public was played with Bergeron's tactics from the Bush administration during its two terms. Then ask, Rolfe: is politics only a dirty business when your opponent uses your dirty tricks against you?
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