Changes

Upon Treen's death in 2009, Villere, like Senator Vitter, issued a gracious statement of condolences, having called the former governor "a courageous man who loved our country and our state. He fought the political establishment in the 1970s and 1980s when it was very difficult to elect a Republican in our state, and his career in political office was marked with integrity and fiscal discipline. It is important for younger voters to understand that Louisiana's commitment to high ethical standards and the existence of a viable two-party system in our state are relatively new developments. ... Dave Treen laid the foundation to change all that, and for that, millions of Louisiana citizens owe him a profound debt of gratitude.”<ref>Statement from Chairman Roger Villere Following the Death of David Treen, lagop.com, November 8, 2009.</ref>​

Upon Treen's death in 2009, Villere, like Senator Vitter, issued a gracious statement of condolences, having called the former governor "a courageous man who loved our country and our state. He fought the political establishment in the 1970s and 1980s when it was very difficult to elect a Republican in our state, and his career in political office was marked with integrity and fiscal discipline. It is important for younger voters to understand that Louisiana's commitment to high ethical standards and the existence of a viable two-party system in our state are relatively new developments. ... Dave Treen laid the foundation to change all that, and for that, millions of Louisiana citizens owe him a profound debt of gratitude.”<ref>Statement from Chairman Roger Villere Following the Death of David Treen, lagop.com, November 8, 2009.</ref>​

In January 2009, Villere joined then [[Oklahoma]] state chairman, Gary Jones, in endorsing Ken Blackwell, the former [[Ohio]] secretary of state, for national party chairman. The position went instead to the [[Moderate Republican]], [[Michael Steele]], an [[African-American]] former lieutenant governor of [[Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kenblackwell.com/2008/12/roger-villere-and-gary-jones-endorse-ken-blackwell/|title=Roger Villere and Gary Jones Endorse Ken Blackwell|publisher=Kenblackwell.com|accessdate=November 8, 2009; no longer on-line.}}</ref> Steele was subsequently replaced as national chairman in 2011 by [[Reince Priebus]] of [[Wisconsin]].​

In January 2009, Villere joined then [[Oklahoma]] state chairman, Gary Jones, in endorsing Ken Blackwell, the former [[Ohio]] secretary of state, for national party chairman. The position went instead to the [[Moderate Republican]], [[Michael Steele]], an [[African-American]] former lieutenant governor of [[Maryland]].<ref>

"Roger Villere and Gary Jones Endorse Ken Blackwell," Kenblackwell.com, accessed November 8, 2009; no longer on-line.</ref> Steele was subsequently replaced as national chairman in 2011 by [[Reince Priebus]] of [[Wisconsin]].​

After [[U.S. President]] [[Barack H. Obama]] proposed a national health care plan, popularly known as [[Obamacare]], Villere replied by calling the president an "able orator [who is attempting] to convince Americans that more government and more spending is the only way to move our nation forward. Despite the President’s plans, the Democrat plans advancing in Congress increases the role of government in decisions best made by their patients and their doctors, increase taxes, and increase our national debt. The President admitted that there needs to be some significant details to be ironed out, and just as it has always been, the devil will be in those details."<ref name=health>"Villere replies to Obama," LAGOP.com, November 8, 2009; no longer on-line.</ref> Instead, Villere called on the [[White House]] to consider the Republican alternative health proposals advanced by Louisiana [[U.S. Representative]] Charles Boustany, Jr., a retired [[physician]] from [[Lafayette]] and a nephew by marriage of Edwin Edwards. Boustany said that "working in a bipartisan way, we can truly lower the cost of health care while improving quality for the American people".<ref name=health/>​

After [[U.S. President]] [[Barack H. Obama]] proposed a national health care plan, popularly known as [[Obamacare]], Villere replied by calling the president an "able orator [who is attempting] to convince Americans that more government and more spending is the only way to move our nation forward. Despite the President’s plans, the Democrat plans advancing in Congress increases the role of government in decisions best made by their patients and their doctors, increase taxes, and increase our national debt. The President admitted that there needs to be some significant details to be ironed out, and just as it has always been, the devil will be in those details."<ref name=health>"Villere replies to Obama," LAGOP.com, November 8, 2009; no longer on-line.</ref> Instead, Villere called on the [[White House]] to consider the Republican alternative health proposals advanced by Louisiana [[U.S. Representative]] Charles Boustany, Jr., a retired [[physician]] from [[Lafayette]] and a nephew by marriage of Edwin Edwards. Boustany said that "working in a bipartisan way, we can truly lower the cost of health care while improving quality for the American people".<ref name=health/>​