Today, there will be a Governor’s Forum on “Assisted Living Issues”.
It will be interesting to see if Bobby Jindal, so far the front runner in polls attends the forum.So far, he has missed all of the scheduled forums and according to one frustrated person (wanting confidentiality) who has been very involved in public debate programs for years, “it is unheard of” that a candidatefor such a high office is unwilling to answer questions directly posed to him or her. Bayoubuzz has also learned that some of the state television stations who would be showcasing forums statewide are having a difficult time with getting JIndal to appear for the statewide televised public debates.
Qualifying
According to the Secretary of State, the Qualifying Period is September 4-6, 2007. State candidates qualify with Secretary of State's office. (State candidates are the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Commissioners of Agriculture and Insurance, and Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education)
All other candidates qualify at their parish Clerk of Court's office.
Katrina and Rita
Governor Kathleen Blanco, “has said in a recent column “I tell them proudly over $6 billion has now been invested in rebuilding houses and apartments, levees and public infrastructure like roads, fire stations and schools. But I remind them this is just the beginning, and that for every ounce of progress we make, there is a pound of work ahead of us.
It is still difficult to appreciate the magnitude of challenges we've confronted as a result of this catastrophe. Katrina and Rita impacted a GulfCoast area of about 90,000 square miles, roughly the size of Great Britain. Spanning the Texas to the Mississippi borders, Louisiana bore the brunt of the destruction - 1,464 lives lost and more than 650,000 people displaced, more than 200,000 homes destroyed, 875 schools and 18,000 businesses impacted.”
Unfortunately for those who are pounding the pavement trying to recover from the wake of Katrina and Rita, there has been no public forum on those very important issues concerning recovery.
Clinton and Edwards
Addressing recovery and hope post Katrina and ‘Rita will be Hillary Clinton and John Edwards.All of the democratic and republican national presidential candidates have been invited to attend a program scheduled for September 27 in New Orleans.So, far, Clinton and Edwards are the only candidates who have confirmed.The summit is being put together by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.
Economic Development
Four years ago, the key issue during the statewide election debates and commercials were economic development.Virtually every commercial addressed that issue and almost every forum focused upon that question.At that time, the key issue was the “brain drain” and Governor Foster’s unwillingness to travel for economic development.It will be interesting to see which issue resonates with the public this fall.Without doubt, public corruption should be one, but, the presence of public corruption is not necessary putting food on the table or keeping our kids and our families from leaving the state.
Interesting concept about waitng until the field is concrete. I'd like to say that's what he is doing but I feel strongly it's not. I like that concept though. I would believe that to be a good strategy for an incumbant.
Written by Tony G
on 8/21/2007
Diaperman: While i dont like Jindal as a choice for governor, you bring up a good point (that I have also raised). If Jindal cannot defend himself, how can he defend us?
Written by Dan
on 8/21/2007
I like Jindal, but if Jindal represents real change he should show, that he is tough enough to stand up, and be counted on,when it comes to the issuses.If he can not stand up to Tony and Walter and foster,and even George,how can we expect him to stand up to the Legislators and get things changed.I like Bobby ,but he is taking the cowards way for now and that does raise some doubts.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/21/2007
Ill take the fact that he wont debate YET as a sign of cowardice. He has stated that he would attend at least 1 debate. However, there are many issues that need to be covered in this election and Jindal needs to show that he is able to answer questions on the policies he suggests. It is not about "propping up" anyone. It is about him giving the voters what they deserve instead of him playing political games. Speaking of clowns, I find it hypocritical that Jindal would on one day say that you can run an election without discussing the negatives of other people and then on another day run a commercial showing 2 candidates to be clowns. Pots and kettles and calling each other black comes to mind.
Written by Dan
on 8/21/2007
Here we go again... Dan whinning.. HE WON'T debate YET! take that however you want. I think he will when the Qualifying period is over untill then he isn't going to do anything to prop up the clowns that are chasing him (Not including Tony G because #1 Tony G isn't a Clown, and #2 if I thought you had a chance of winning I would vote for you Brother!) Besides once the qualifying period is over there are no more candidates that can run right? So why not make sure you know who all the players are BEFORE you start the game. Just a thought from an Ole Jarhead.
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/21/2007
June: He may be doing right for himself but he is not doing right by the voters of the state. The voters deserve to have an open debate of all the issues with all of the candidates so they can make an informed decision. Jindal's failure to attend a debate clearly shows that there is at least something that they don't want the voters to be informed about. And if Bobby Jindal, the "great orator", is afraid that he wont be able to defend his stances in public then how on earth will he be able to defend our state?
Written by Dan
on 8/21/2007
Being a "lackey" for Mike Foster and then being a "lackey" for the Republican National Comm., do not appear to be great qualifications to be crowned governor of a state, unless you are the special interest groups funding the "buy-in-to-the-Gov's-mansion" campaign!
Written by Tangier
on 8/21/2007
I have to wonder why Jindal would not debate Tony G. ?If Jindal is afraid now,why should we expect him to be honest with the public, if he is elected.Does the office mean more to him, than bringing real reform and honesty to louisiana.Only acts of shame or kept hidden in the dark,while standing tall and speaking what you believe, shows character and true honesty.Hang in there Tony G. your doing something right if Jindal is dodging you.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/20/2007
Steve good article,bobby jindal appears to be weak using his wife in his campaign, not a candidate on a mission. And he think he is going to get a pass to the governor's mansion,but don't seem like he'll fall on the sword for us.
Written by anthony
on 8/20/2007
Thank you Ole Jarhead. I feel like the guy that showed up to a gunfight with a knife. I'll keep fighting to the bitter end. I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it again, With God all things are possible. Whatever happens is meant to be. I can only give it my best within my means. My line of thinking and I may be wrong is that you can gauge whoever the poll was paid for by the results. Now I'll qualify that statement by saying the early polls. In mid October I think the real polls will show. However I stand by my words, if all the qualified candidates are not on the poll it's bogus. Sorry SMOR, it's just my opinion for whatever it's worth.
Written by Tony G
on 8/20/2007
Anytime, Ole Jarhead, anytime... I'm all about helpin' out.
Written by Tee Dub
on 8/20/2007
Tony G! how are you!!! You know I got nothing but love and respect for you brother, I really do love the idea of total change but neither party in this state is gonna let loose their power. You might remember in another post I agreed that all the candidates should have been included in that poll, while I don't think either the GOP or the dems sponsored the poll someone paid for it, the question is WHO? They (the people who did the poll) say the poll is non partisan. I agree this is his election to lose.I see T.W. is now echoing what I have been saying, about Jindal. It is in fact those that are far behind that want him to debate if only to prop up their sagging campaigns. Look to see Jindal start debating AFTER Validation is over. OHH and... TW Thank you Bubba for the validation of my point!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/20/2007
I agree with Tony G - June, what is so "right" about Jindal not debating the other candidates in the race? How does that foster an enlightened electorate, and/or stimulate democracy in Louisiana? I would argue that Jindal owes it to the citizens of Louisiana to debate the issues of the day, whether it cuts into his vote totals or not. I find it rather frightening that there are apparently voters out there who are "okay" with this strategy of calculated silence.
Written by Tee Dub
on 8/20/2007
Hi June, The old saying he has nothing to gain by showing up and engaging the other candidates in my minds eye does not apply. The organizers of these forums and debates expend a great amount of time and money in these efforts. Disrepecting these folks and their organizations is bad business. These people are not taking this lightly. I have had two ask me if he has shown up to any an the forums. They also tell me the word is out on him. Although many think there is nothing gain, which I believe that to be totally false, there is plenty to lose.
Written by Tony G
on 8/20/2007
I think that Bobby Jindal is smart not to attend the forum, he clearly is doing something right.
Written by June
on 8/20/2007
It's clear to me that Jindal has no desire to engage in debates because he is leading in the polls and debating other candidates can only be injurious to his chances to become our next governor. He's a smart little devil, that's for sure. As I have said time and again, his record at DHH reveals that he is a callous bean counter whose actions at DHH endangered the lives of children (and adults) across Louisiana. I keep shouting it from the mountaintop - PLEASE don't forget that after his two years at the healm of DHH, we went from #9 in childhood immunizations to #31st, and ultimately to #49. The fact that on social issues he's to the right of Attila the Hun also makes him unattractive to all but the most rigid of Talibaptists. WAKE UP LOUISIANA, and examine Bobby Jindal's record more closely... you're not going to like what you see, je vous donne ma parôle.
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