Life and politics play strange tricks.
Approximately two decades ago, I was watching (in Metairie) a rather young Roger Villere in a debate for Louisiana House District 81 against John Treen, David Duke and a few other candidates.
Ultimately, Duke and Treen went on to battle for that legislative seat in a runoff and Villere went back to toil his flower business and work for the Republican Party.
Villere's philosophy was conservative as was Treen's. Unquestionably, neither of those candidates engaged in any racially-tinged rhetoric as did David Duke.
Duke won that legislative seat, became a political nightmare for Governor Buddy Roemer and Republican chairman Billy Nungesser. Of course, Duke ran for a number of offices, doing well against two powerful Louisiana institutions in J. Bennet Johnston and Edwin Edwards. Duke's fortunes soured as he attempted to run for president, later spent time in jail, then peddled his racism and Nazism and "loony tunes" philosophies in the likes of Russia, Iran and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the young Roger Villere worked his way up the ladder of the Louisiana Republican Party ultimately earning the position of Chairman.
Under his realm, the Louisiana Republican Party has trounced its counterpart, the Democrats, in part due to the momentous events of Katrina which changed the Louisiana demography, physical and political landscapes.
Nonetheless, the Louisiana Republican Party under Roger Villere has become a potent force in shaping the state. While Villere could not win an election in District 81 two decades ago, now, he has become one of the most influential individuals in Louisiana helping to set policies and pass legislation.
Of course, there is no question that Villere has been aided by the young and talented Governor Bobby Jindal who swept into office defeating his foes in the first primary.
Villere (and the Republican Party) and Jindal have mastered a powerful 1-2 punch these past almost four years that Jindal has been running for Governor and after winning, operating an administration.
While numerous conservative writers have taken on the Governor on a number of issues including what they perceive to be his lack of consistency on issues of ethics, Villere and the Republican Party have been silent. Yet, when it has come to basic economic conservative principles, Villere and the Republican Party sends out its daily messages (some might think "watching orders" to its constituents and to Republican and conservative legislators. When Roger Villere and the Louisiana Republican Party speak the Louisiana Republican legislators and conservatives listen and vote almost in lockstep.
Rarely does the Louisiana Republican legislators veer from the words and warnings of Roger Villere. Meanwhile, publicly, Governor Bobby Jindal rarely speaks out publicly giving a stern warning or rebuke. In a sense, Jindal is often playing the "good cop" and Villere the "bad cop". Based upon the two legislative sessions the formula appears to be working quite well.
On the other hand, the Democratic Party has become a virtual irrelevant entity. As a result, with a very conservative Louisiana House of Representatives and Governor Jindal and with the very strong words and warnings of the Republican Party and Roger Villere, the Jindal message gets through and his agenda passes.
Gov. Bobby Jindal could not have a stronger ally in Roger Villere in the Louisiana Republican Party and perhaps, vice versa. I cannot remember one time that the party has disagreed with Jindal (or Jindal against the party) on any issue although conservative talk radio shows and conservative Internet sites definitely have done so.
Roger Villere has come a very long way in two decades when he was virtually irrelevant in the Louisiana District 81 race and David Duke ended up making national and international news. Now, Duke is irrelevant in Louisiana but the florist has spread the pollen of mass influence and respect among friend and foe alike and has gained the power that he might never have achieved if he had won that fateful election in District 81.
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