A new poll by Southeastern University shows that U.S. Congressman Bobby Jindal (R-Kenner) is within striking distance of winning the race for Governor in the primary election on October 20. If he accomplishes this feat, it would be a remarkable achievement for the Congressman, who lost the 2003 race to Kathleen Blanco by the margin of 52-48%.
The poll has Jindal with 46% support and with undecided leaning voters tabulated in the results; Jindal is at 49.5% support, ever so close to the magic 50% mark he will need to avert a runoff. This would be an unprecedented achievement in Louisiana politics for a non-incumbent to win in the primary election against 11 opponents.
This lead is impressive considering that his opponents have spent millions of dollars on statewide advertising. State Senator Walter Boasso (D-Arabi) and the Louisiana Democratic Party has aired negative television commercials attacking Jindal in a variety of areas, including his health care background and his ties to President Bush. Despite the attacks, Jindal has more than four times the level of support of his nearest competitor, Boasso, who has 10% support. Following Boasso is Independent businessman John Georges at 9% and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell (D-Shreveport) at 6%.
All of Jindal’s opponents have been handicapped by his head start. The Congressman started running back in 2003 and he never really stopped. His opponents have only had a few months to establish name recognition and built favorability.
Since 2003, Jindal has built an incredible network of supporters and donors. His fundraising operation this election year is the most impressive ever seen in Louisiana politics. Jindal has received donations from almost 20,000 individual contributors. In contrast, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell (D-Shreveport) has limited funds, while Georges and Boasso are largely self-funding their races.
Among Jindal’s opponents, John Georges has had the most success building support in a short time. A few months ago, Georges was a virtual unknown Republican businessman. Now, he is an Independent who is making inroads in the African American community. Georges was the only candidate to participate in the Jena rally last month. He was the only candidate who participated in the Southern University of New Orleans rally yesterday. In both cases, Georges showed solidarity with the marchers and handed out his signature water bottles. Georges has hired consultants with strong ties to the African American community and has received the official endorsement of some prominent African American ministers.
The big question now is who will U.S. Congressman Bill Jefferson (D-New Orleans), State Senator Cleo Fields (D-Baton Rouge) and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin support? City Hall insiders report that Nagin is primed to officially endorse Georges. If that occurs and Georges can parlay that support into a significant African American vote, there is a good chance he will overtake Boasso for second place and possibly force Jindal into a runoff.
The next few days are critical for all of the campaigns as key endorsements will play a large role in motivating an uninspired African American voting bloc. Right now, that segment of the electorate is up for grabs and the Jindal challenger that is successful in grabbing a large share of that vote will likely still be running for Governor come November.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 5 till 9 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Good for you sir I am glad you were there! how did it go? did you hear that Bell is back in jail? Sad Sad Sad. Written by Ole Jarhead
on 10/12/2007
www.georgesgonewild.com Written by Billy
on 10/11/2007
Georges might make run-off, but would be crushed when word gets out thAT HE LIED ABOUT HIS GAMBLING INTERESTS TO HOOD WINK VOTERS--tIMES pICY. UNCOVERED HIS LIES. Written by Kenny
on 10/11/2007
Factually false, "Georges was the only candidate to participate in the Jena rally last month." I arrived at 2 in the morning and stayed through to 4 in the afternoon. My RV was parked right next to Rev. Jackson's R.V. the whole time.
T. Lee Horne, III
Written by T. Lee Horne, III
on 10/11/2007
The run-off will be Jindal 42-46 and Boasso 30-36 . Funny not so many people saying Jindal did the right thing by skipping all of the debates now. But I have to be Fair, Jindal said it was his race to Lose. Written by Diaperman
on 10/11/2007
Bill: If Jindal gets 42, you gonna write back? Written by Dan
on 10/11/2007
If Jindal is smart he should use the indorsement of Jefferson or Nagin to his advantage. That is the endorsement of the other candidate. He should tell African American voters that they represent themselves and are not sheep to follow whatever Dollar Bill or Mr. Choclate City tells them. He should capitalize on the fact that they are independent voters that make their own decisions and are not simply let to the poles by whatever minority politician wants to use them. Written by BigD
on 10/11/2007
Dan: Be sure to write back after Jindal gets between 50-60 percent on election day. Written by Bill
on 10/11/2007
Well, dears, Mr. Georges has become quite a politician in a short period of time. That new blood dears seems to have some insight into what it takes to overcome what seems to be an impossibility. One other thing, dears, he does attend the forums and he does have the guts to speak and has learned to do better over time. Unfortunately Mr. Jindal has done neither but rely on his political acquaintances and his political strategists for the last four years. I wonder, if he will ever answer some of the interesting questions that have been posed here and elsewhere. Written by RhettsWife
on 10/11/2007
Jindal is trending downward. He had 60%, he had 50% and now he has 46%. I think he will drop more before the end of the election, perhaps ending up with 42%. Written by Dan
on 10/11/2007
