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.
