Caldwell Party Switch

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell plans to switch from a Democrat to Republican this week, becoming the latest high-profile Louisiana defection to the GOP, people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Caldwell, who is up for re-election this year, is the only statewide elected official left who's a Democrat. He's supported a challenge to President Barack Obama's health overhaul and has sided with Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal on several legal issues.