Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is the most aggressive fundraiser to ever occupy the mansion in Baton Rouge. He never misses any opportunity for a fundraiser, even the Super Bowl. While everyone else will be focused on the big game, Bobby Jindal is going to Miami primarily to raise money for his re-election campaign.

His office announced that the Governor will make a quick trip to Miami for both the Super Bowl and a high dollar fundraiser. Sadly, this is not unusual for over the past year, Governor Jindal has made over 40 trips out of state raising money for his re-election campaign. Every trip costs the taxpayers money because his campaign cannot pay for the security detail which accompanies Jindal each time.

What is even worse is that Jindal does not disclose who attends his fundraisers, or which bigwigs donate to his campaign or who hosts the big events. The governor who touts ethics and transparency has been woefully silent about his fundraising activities. Since the Governor is supposedly working full time for the people of Louisiana, these events are the public’s business. We have a right to know what Jindal is doing because he is a public servant and represents the state of Louisiana. Inquiring minds want to know, who has Governor Jindal’s ear and what are they expecting in return for their donations? For example, Governor Jindal did not reveal who he invited to his Superdome suite for the NFC Championship game. This is our business for taxpayers paid for the suite and need to know who was meeting with the Governor and what businesses they represent.

While Jindal is rushing to Miami for a quick trip and fundraising event, the Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels is using the Super Bowl as an economic development opportunity for his state. Daniels is meeting with business leaders and hosting an economic development event. According to political watchdog C.B. Forgotston, “Indy’s governor is taking advantage of this huge gathering of high-powered individuals to promote his state.   Bobby is taking advantage of this gathering of high-powered individuals to stuff their money into his pockets.”

This whole episode says plenty about the priorities of Governor Jindal. For our Governor, preparing for his political future is his primary goal; the interests of the state of Louisiana come in a distant second.

At this point, Governor Jindal has no announced opposition for his second term. The Democrats are so disorganized that it is doubtful that the party will be able to find a decent candidate to challenge him. However, if Jindal keeps going in this direction, some enterprising person will come forward to give the voters a choice in the next election.

Louisiana voters need to ask whether they want a Governor working for the interests of the state or a Governor obsessed with his own political agenda. In my view, the choice is becoming painfully obvious.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a..m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications.. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.