22 quotes from Edwin Edwards that capture his self-confidence and sharp wit | State policy

Edwin Edwards, who died Monday at the age of 93, has been in public life since being elected to Crowley City Council in 1954 at the age of 27. He then served in the State Senate before being elected to Congress in 1965. He became governor, for the first time, in May 1972. He ended up serving four terms, ending in 1996.

Throughout his political career – and thereafter – he was known for his self-confidence and rapier wit.

Here are some quotes from Edwards noted by reporters from The Advocate and The Times-Picayune over the years:

• “For as long as we can remember, Louisiana has been dominated by the mediocre and the unscrupulous.” (in campaign in 1970)
• “We can’t have a philosophy that black people are supposed to go to college and get a better education and then go back to picking cotton.” (in campaign in 1970)
• John McKeithen is a “lame duck governor who doesn’t want the new administration to run smoothly.” It will make him look bad ”. (in electoral campaign in 1971, his first candidacy for the post of governor)
• “It was illegal for them to give, but not for me to receive.” (1974, when asked to receive illegal campaign contributions)
• “We are run by a governor whose only answer to unemployment is to buy a $ 350,000 jet.” (During 1982 legislative session, asked about Governor Dave Treen.)
• “Dave Treen is so slow it takes him an hour and a half to watch 60 minutes.” (During the 1983 campaign debate with then-sitting Governor Dave Treen)
• “I couldn’t lose unless I was caught in bed with a dead girl or a living boy.” (The day before the 1983 elections)
• “I made Paris with the government.” (Bumper sticker in 1984 after hosting a trip to Paris for supporters)
• “Some politicians like to kiss babies. I love to kiss baby’s moms. (1987 governor’s campaign)
• “The only place David Duke and I are alike is that we’re both wizards under the sheets.” (During the governor’s 1991 campaign against David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan leader)
• “While David Duke was burning crosses and scaring people, I was building hospitals to heal them. »(1991, during the governorship debate)
• “Vote for the crook. It’s important.” (Bumper sticker in the 1991 race for governor against David Duke, a white supremacist)
• “People say I got into trouble with the law. this is not true. I have had trouble with overzealous prosecutors. (1999)
• “There is an old Chinese proverb that goes, ‘If you wait long enough by the river, you will see the bodies of your dead enemies floating around.’ Guess the Feds stayed by the river long enough, so here’s my body. (On the steps of the federal courthouse in Baton Rouge after his racketeering trial in 2000)
• “I haven’t done anything wrong as governor, even if you accept the verdict as it is, that doesn’t indicate it.” (After Edwards was convicted of 17 of 26 charges in 2000)
• “I will be a model prisoner as I was a model citizen.” (2002 at the entrance to the federal prison)
• “I donate blood for them to make Viagra.” (at the celebration of 2011 on his release from prison)
• “I think he makes a good governor for California, Minnesota, Florida – all those places where people keep putting all this money, anxious to know who the governor of Louisiana is.” (2011 on Bobby Jindal’s interest in running for president)
• “I guess history will record some of the things that I did wrong or that they think I did wrong. (2014 campaign for the headquarters of the 6th Congressional District)
• “Well, I’m going to wake up and have my breakfast.” (2014 when asked about his future plans the night he lost the second round of 6th District)
• “If you want to live long, don’t hold a grudge. “(2019)