Louisiana Bobby Jindal discussed his reasons for not vetoing the legislation allowing pay raises for Louisiana legislators.More on Bayoubuzz.com.
Governor Bobby Jindal is the master of the three-pointer.At a noon press conference which was called to discuss the scheduled and phased withdrawal of Louisiana National Guard troops from New Orleans, the questions quickly focused upon the major issue causing a “buzz” in Louisiana, the legislative pay raises voted late last week and early this week.
On numerous occasions he was asked about the legislative pay raise and he gave almost a word-for-word three point answer to the questions asked, almost all totally non-responsive to the specific questions asked.Without doubt, he had his talking points down pat.
One very interesting question came from Heath Allen of WDSU TV in New Orleans.Allen asked the Governor why doesn’t he just veto the legislation and let the legislature try to override the veto.He also asked if the Governor was being threatened.
Unfortunately, the Governor in a terse, yet, comical response repeated his three-point talking mantra answer alluding to his desire not to derail his agenda and to ensure that the state moves forward.
I personally did not want to get caught in the same three-point trap.I asked the last question of the press conference (thanks to the courtesy of his press Secretary Melissa Sellers, who wanted to wrap up the press conference) and thanked him sincerely for his commitment to help the City of New Orleans which is in tremendous need.Digressing a bit, Governor Jindal has been there for New Orleans and I feel that he truly wants to make the City better than ever which would be a tremendous legacy for him considering what we have suffered as a result of Katrina and Rita
However, after moving away from my public praise in helping the city, I asked him to detail the specific “pledge” he made to the legislature and said that the public had a right to know about that deal and that he was not answering the questions.
Unfortunately, I got three three-pointer.So, we might not ever know why he made a pledge (or the details of that pledge) with the legislature although during the gubernatorial campaign, his platform called for pay raises for legislators that would go into effect after these legislators finished their terms in office so they would not be voting on their own pay raises, thus feathering their own private interests.
There is little doubt in my mind that Governor Jindal is working behind the scene to undue what has been wrought.He even mentioned that the legislature could act on the issue prior to the end of the session or not take the raise when the checks come.
So, Governor Jindal has the opportunity to veto the legislation which has caught the ire of so many but he won’t.He seems to be sending a message to the legislators but he won’t break his pledge or give details about that pledge he made with legislators although he campaigned on the opposite of which he now reluctantly will allow to go into law.
The Governor of Louisiana has more power vested in that office than in most states and most governments.He is hearing the outrage of the people and the media.He obviously has practiced his non-response to specific questions to perfection.It’s a wonderful day for New Orleans that he is leaving the National Guard with a phase out and that he stands committed to this beautiful city.It is a wonderful day for those who love to shoot three-pointers.
See Video of Bayoubuzz Publisher, Stephen Sabludowsky, exchange with Governor Bobby Jindal
I don't know, Jindal said he would allow the legisture to do what they are going to do..... And Tucker............ Well now, if the public is serious, then I suppose the recall will be the measure of their resolve.... I suppose I am curious on the subject too, and will see how it plays out..... Let the heads roll where they land.... Written by G. Mann......................................
on 6/25/2008
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It is easier to go against the public because he has months before he may even need their votes again. Fighting for what was right and what he promised the voters
was what he could not live up to. His very own hand picked speaker called him out, and instead of standing up to him, Jindal gave in right away. The smart move would have been to pretend to call Tuckers bluff, do a quick little veto, and let tucker and crew over ride the video. The problem was that they were not so sure they had enough votes to override a phony veto once the public was watching this pay raise so close. Jindal has underestimated the voters on this one and they will not forget he refused to fight for them. No one in louisiana no matter the party
wants a governor with no back bone. Written by Diaperman
on 6/24/2008
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Agree or disagree with him, nevertheless with public opion so STRONGLY against him not vetoing the pay raise... well... going against such a stongly held belief by so many voters..... that doesn't sound like a "wimp" to me. (foolish perhaps, arrogant maybe, but not wimpy). Written by kpf
on 6/24/2008
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Can you answer me why other governors sign bills ? Jindal not signing 90 bills in less than six months is a national record for a governor not bothering to do his Job. You add the fact Jindal can even be bothered to see what is going on in state to the fact he is allowing this pay-raise for his buddies and that equals a worth less governor. Jindal hopes people will see this as they are picking on me, but no matter the party Louisiana does not deserve a wimp or a wuss like Jindal for governor Written by Diaperman
on 6/24/2008
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I'm not sure "signing bills" means "doing one's job." It is possible to sign something without reading it - it is also possible to thoroughly review a bill and allow it to become law without signing it. I cannot help but recall - while watching C-Span years ago - a representative coming into the chambers during a vote on a bill asking one of his aides "How do I vote on this?" Is our governor reviewing these bills? I do not know but "signing" them or not - quite frankly - doesn't mean jack $hit. Of course, if one only supports one of the two major political parties, then I guess any chance to throw a stone should not be missed.
Written by pardon me genteel reader, but I must repeat myself
on 6/24/2008
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Jindal allowing so many bills to become law without his signature shows a lack of leadership and commitment. Written by David Quidd
on 6/23/2008
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Wonderful, so the switcheroo is on ehh Diaperman???? Oh, trade one Landrieu for another???? Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssshhhhhhheeee!!!!! Great, Landrieu couldn't make it as Mayor, so now we have a Landrieu for Guv... That should be just simply wonderfullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllol........ Written by J.B.
on 6/23/2008
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Jindal has now allowed 90 bills to become law without bothering to sign them. That is four times more than the four previous governors unsigned bills added together. No wonder he can not veto the legislators pay raise when he can not even be bothered to do his job as governor. Jindal thinks as long as he does not sign no body can ever blame for them becoming law. I may be a stupid Louisiana Voter, but even I understand if the governor does not veto a bill, it means he is for allowing that bill to become law. Now it could be real simple and Jindal just does
not care enough about Louisiana to do the Governors job one way or the other.
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/20637984.html Written by Diaperman
on 6/22/2008
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Sharon I hope your right and I am wrong. To be honest I am very sure about what
I have said and when and if comes to pass, you need not say a word. Louisiana
will just be stuck at the bottom as we already are. I do hope the next election people demand these politicians to debate with anyone who is running for the office. Jindal should have been made to tell us what his real plans were instead of
telling us, he would be cutting spending and reducing big government. Written by Diaperman
on 6/21/2008
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That would really surprise me, Diaperman. As disappointed as I am in Jindal at this moment, I do still believe that he cares deeply for the State and its people. He has a very substantial agenda. As I have said he is being naive on this issue. It is much larger than he sees it. He is losing the trust of the people. But we will wait and see. If what you say comes to pass, I will for sure give you credit for your foresight. Written by Sharon
on 6/21/2008
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Sharon I agree he should veto this but Jindal does not care about Louisiana
enough to be worried about his voters. Jindal was using this as a stepping stone
for a Vice President slot. Now if this does not work out for him, you may see him
run against Mary Landrieu. He is not going to sit in Louisiana and do the job of being Governor, because it could make him look bad in the long run. He thinks
because he is a republican, Louisiana voters will still flock to him no matter the pay raise and false ads that are running. If he loses a race against Mary Landrieu in trying to get back to Washington as a U.S. Senator, he can just sit the job out and not do anything.
Jindal is letting an ad run that gives him credit for six tax cuts, when he knows five of those tax cuts were made by Governor Blanco and he fought against the one tax cut that was made while he was in office.
Written by Diaperman
on 6/21/2008
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You know Diaperman even if there was a "back room deal" (common in Louisiana politics) the Governor should still Veto this bill. Let Tucker and Duplesiss or whomever say whatever they want. Let them "try" to stop progress and reform. Republicans and Democrats alike in the state have had enough. Jindal has an opportunity here to stand with the people as he promised he would. Perhaps he naively believes what he says about separate branches of government but he is the only one with veto power. As smart as he is Jindal has a lot to learn about "playing the game". If he has any National aspirations he needs to know that the people are the real power. He has been compared to Reagan. Seems he hasn't learned what Reagan used best. Go over the Legislative Branch directily to the people. Louisiana taxpayers diserve better. But don't give up the fight. Both sides coming together in a common cause is a great thing. And it can be powerful. Written by Sharon
on 6/21/2008
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Jindal knows if he backs out of the deal, Tucker will tell the public everything about the deals Jindal has made with them. Jindal made the deal and Tucker is making Jindal pay up. Written by Diaperman
on 6/20/2008
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Jindal wants the pay raise to become law despite his public comments. It was clearly part of a backroom deal with legislators and he won't back out on the deal. Written by David Quidd
on 6/20/2008
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He can now govern by 'proxy'..... He doesn't even have to sign anything..... It becomes law automatically....... And now you understand how a Government can be taken over by less than 180 people...... You just have to have the right people in the right place at the right time..... Simple..... And Jindals 'plans' for important things in Louisiana??????? I would really begin to wonder exactly what they are now.... I already knew he didn't have anything noteworthy in the first place,,,,,,, ahh,,,, but I forgot about the dark side...... Now all he has to do is just sit back and let the legislature RAPE US!!!!!! I have some choice names for him, but then I would probably run afoul of some of his 'laws' and get put in a dungeon somewhere for showing dissent........ Yeah Louisiana, luv yur freedom an independence.......... For a little while longer anyways......... Written by Joe.....................
on 6/20/2008
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Lest we forget CL, Bobby Jindal was elected to represent us, not the legislature. He made a promise, if he breaks it, he no longer has the good will of the people. It's that simple. He knows that most of this legislature will be gone by the next election. He knows that if he veto's this bill he will have earned the goodwill of the voters. He doesn't intend to be a two time governor, probably not even a one time governor. He wants bills to be passed quickly, with no wheels coming off the bus, so he can look good for the national party.If not VP, he wants a cabinet position if McCain wins. The national media who constantly tout him as a possible VP candidate, just haven't gotten hold of this story yet. Written by unhappy
on 6/20/2008
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He sounds like a speed-talking Bill Clinton on that video. Disgusting!!! Written by
on 6/20/2008
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LaGuardia, Are you a child? Have you reached the 9th grade and taken a civics class? The governor's signature on a bill passed by the legislature doesn't mean jacksheet. Anything other than a veto is the same as signing the bill. And do you really believe that if Jindal allows this bill to become law, that the legislature will suddenly do all the right things?? Even if Jindal can somehow draft that kind of legislation?? I voted for Jindal. A liar with good ideas is better than a candidate with bad ideas (who's probably a liar too). But this is the moment of truth for him. More good would come from him calling them out and going to the public for support than from kissing their butts. ------- And Dear CL - why do you think Louisiana has all of the enormous problems you listed? It is because of self-serving corrupt politicians and their out of control legislative processes full of lies, cover-ups and bullcrap. This issue finally shined a light on their antics that even the ignorant can see. If we don't call them out on this, we may as well declare the banana as the state fruit of the republic. Written by I Wonder
on 6/20/2008
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I think people are being too harsh on the governor about this. He didn't veto the bill BUT HE DIDN'T SIGN IT EITHER. I don't any of you Jindal critics understand what goes on in that state capital . Jindal is clearly in a no win situation, if he vetos the bill, then he would face the wrath of the state legislators who would not help him by passing bills that are necessary to help Louisiana, in short nothing would get done for the next four years. If Jindal doesn't veto the bill, then he faces the wrath of the voters. I think he is trying to do the best thing possible and stay out of this mess. I bet if this was Blanco doing this, none of you Jindal critics would be talking about a recall. You guys just need to back off Jindal and let him do his job and do what he believes is the right thing. Written by Louis La Guardia
on 6/19/2008
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Thank you, Joe. You are so right. Katrina was 3 years ago. Those people in the Midwest need those supplies more than Louisiana should now. Landrieu's constant rants and temper tantrums are embarrassing. She is dishonest on lots of issues. She acts as though the Democrats are Louisiana's Energy Coast's biggest supporters. These are the people who want to kill the oil industry. She has to vote with the Republicans to get help for Louisiana on revenue sharing. Written by Sharon
on 6/19/2008
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Folks, it is obvious from the video that there is much more to the story. Jindal is talking in generalities, no specifics. There was no debate in the committees or on the floor. This entire matter is outrageous and Jindal could easily do what he said he would do and call people out. The only thing out of his mouth is pure BS. The citizens of Louisiana deserve more. Transparency and honesty is a game with our Governor. Thanks for posting the video so we at least get to know who is hiding the pea. Written by Gloria
on 6/19/2008
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Steve........ I sort of wonder why you aren't writting anything about his little trip to D.C. to beg for more money while parts of the North 40 up there are pretty much 'under water'... Think they gave Piyush much of an ear????? I had to get a laugh out of Mary Landrieu..... Getting all huffy with FEMA, wanting to make sure we get a couple of trailer loads of stuff we 'deserve' for our 'desperate' victims.... Desperate????? Its getting on to 36 months later..... What's the fuss about? Oh, some FEMA T-shirts, some coleman lanterns, some pots and pans, diapers, etc., etc., etc. Shame on Landrieu. She should have gracefully offered to help FEMA by saying "Send that stuff north where it is needed right now!" Selfish person that she is though...... NOT!!!!!!! Look folks, Katrina and its effects are now officially, as far as the world and the rest of the nation is concerned...... A back burner subject........ Written by Joe........................
on 6/19/2008
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STRONGCONCRETE benchmark anyone? Written by ...................STRONGCONCRETE.................
on 6/19/2008
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CL, dear, you are wrong. The people of this state see the move by the legislature as a direct effront to their own working ethic and salaries. The glee of Senator Ann Duplicity in the picture printed in the Times Picayune, the picture on the site of TheDeadPelican of her Mercedes with status license plate Senate2, and the obvious refusal to accept the salary raise by some who now feel the pangs of guilt, is not enough. Jindal promised plenty but his delivery is inadequate. It is becoming quite clear in this issue that he is nothing more than rhetoric and a consummate politician. Now, Stephen, keep up the pressure. Too bad some of the media have not had the guts to do so with editorials, not simple reporting of actions of citizens, against this raise. Drive through the devastated areas of New Orleans and other parishes affected and ask the question "WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE?" The answer would lie in the past before Katrina with the political hacks who failed to provide for the people. The Jefferson family is a prime example of this - they stole from the poor who could have had a chance, they stole from the very people who cast a vote for Dollar Bill Jefferson. This city has been denied adequate leadership for the past five decades or more and the vote has not been on qualifications and ability but on issues which should have been settled years ago. Written by RhettsWife
on 6/19/2008
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With all of the enormous problems that face this state - economy, education, infrastructure, highways, levees, wetlands restoration, coastal erosion, ports and international trade, health care, poverty, etc., etc., it is a mystery to me why the media is so obsessed with pay raises for legislators, particularly since that rate of pay has apparently not been increased in more than 20 years. Please, Steve, give it a rest and get on to more important issues. Written by CL
on 6/19/2008
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What can we expect. It's clear that Indian man speak with forked tongue. Jindal, like our piggy legislators, has only one interest: himself. lets get that recall movement going. Written by noladude
on 6/19/2008
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Good job Steve. He tried putting it all on the Leges! He accepts no blame at all. Veto it Bobby, stand up for what's right. Stand up for what you pledged. If you can't stand down. Written by Tony G
on 6/19/2008
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Louisiana Bobby Jindal discussed his reasons for not vetoing the legislation allowing pay raises for 
