I never did think I would long for the days of Mike Foster, but I now miss “Big Daddy.” Of course government watchdog C.B. Forgotston gave Foster this nickname and it perfectly fit Foster’s plantation patrician style of leadership. Foster was the Governor who would never leave the state and spent all of his time playing with his high priced toys, hunting, fishing and going to law school. Foster did not do much as Governor, but at least he did not waste millions of taxpayer dollars on his travels.
In contrast, the state is now subjected to Governor Bobby Jindal, who must hate living in Baton Rouge. He is constantly looking for an excuse to leave the Mansion and hit the road. Usually, it is for some type of fundraiser, but he also accepts speaking engagements and appearances on Fox News.
This week, Jindal winged it to Houston and Michigan. Over the past few weeks, Jindal has been to Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Connecticut, New York, California, Mississippi and WashingtonD.C. among other destinations. Jindal is busy raising money to prepare for a non-existent opponent and his 2011 re-election campaign. At the end of last year, Jindal had $3.5 million in his campaign war chest, but it is obviously not enough for the Governor. He wants more campaign cash, which takes him out of the state on a continual basis, but what is most disturbing is that his aides will not disclose who is sponsoring these events or who attended. This type of information should be made public in an “ethical” and “transparent” administration. Why the secrecy Governor Jindal?
It is clear that Jindal is making friends with the type of GOP insiders who may be interested in supporting a presidential campaign in either 2012 or 2016. The problem is that Jindal should not be running for President on our dime. In addition, taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for his personal political agenda. Although Jindal’s personal travel costs are paid by his campaign fund, the taxpayers have to pay for the Governor’s security detail to accompany him on these trips. The Governor should reimburse the state treasury for all of these costs.
As the Governor spends more and more of his time outside of Louisiana on his fundraising pursuits, it is becoming clear that the position of Governor is not a full-time job. So, why are we paying a full-time salary for a part-time Governor?
Maybe it is time to pay the Governor only when legislators are in session. Sadly, Governor Jindal seems bored and disinterested in the duties of being Governor. Currently, most of the heavy lifting is being done by State Treasurer John Kennedy, who continues to produce innovative ideas on how to restructure state government. While Kennedy is constantly leading on these issues, Jindal is constantly leaving on personal fundraising.
If Louisiana was at the top of all of the “good” lists, then a part-time Governor would be no problem, but we have tremendous challenges including a fiscal crisis.It is odd that Jindal is considered some sort of a national leader, while on the state level, there is an acute absence of leadership.
No doubt, the Governor has abilities and could provide leadership to the state on a host of issues, but it takes time and effort, two things Jindal is unwilling or unable to provide.
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
Did you know Press Foster personally or professionally KL? I just had to ask :) Written by CN
on 11/19/2009
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I just had a horrible thought; team Jindal/Palin - 2012 - - - - After all the homely little goomer does need a photogenic sidekick to run around with during his prezidential aspirations.... Oh mah gawd, perhaps the end is TRUELY near!!!!!!! I really wonder if the GOP does want a president in the White House......... Perhaps there really isn't any hope anywhere after all..... Written by
on 11/19/2009
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How did they keep Gov.Foster's brother, "Press," out of the press?..... He loved booze and prostitutes 'til the day he died ..... a St.Francisville blue-blood... may he RIP. (When Gov.Foster was in his second term, there was a poll showing a large percentage of Louisianians could NOT remember the name of our governer!) Written by KjunLady
on 11/19/2009
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Great article, right on target. Jindal is like President Obama, always on the run and taking credit for things not done! Written by CN
on 11/19/2009
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Definitely the truth. I don't know what he thinks he's running for, but all that outside money for a Louisiana governor's race is a little shocking. He just got some jobs for north Louisiana, great. First thing he's done for the state. His power over the legislature is the threat of his line item veto authority -- and he uses that power to strong arm his agenda. If you go against him, he will veto legislation that means something to those who don't support him. I call that taking hostages, not providing leadership. Still, he has found a way to work during the legislative session and campaign when the legislature is not in session. I take that back, he did an awful lot of campaigning during the session, too. Imagine what he can do to the state if he committed his entire time to the job. I'll happily pay to get him away from Louisiana more often. Bobby Jindal -- the true conservative's false prophet.
Written by Good Article!
on 11/18/2009
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Good article, Jeff. I must be blind because to-date I have not seen one good thing that Bobby had done for the State Of Louisiana. But, at least he is no worse than any of our previous governors, and maybe a little better than some. Show me where Louisiana has actually improved since he had been governor. What might or could happen under his leadership means nothing until it actually happens. Written by ?
on 11/18/2009
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Jeff, normally I agree with you, but you're wrong on this one. Firstly, you make it seem like all Jindal does outside the state is raise money. Certainly he does a lot of that, but he is also out talking up Louisiana to folks who can make a difference. The folks who create wealth and jobs aren't going to just come to us. We have to go out and court them, and that is a large part of what Jindal is doing around the country. With some big scores in recent months, it seems to be working well. I was a fan of Gov. Foster, but one of his shortcomings was his lack of wander-lust. Louisiana is a small fish in a big pond, so we need to make friends with the bigger fish. And you can't do that from Baton Rouge, unless you've gone out-of-state first to lure them in. If Jindal is doing something that no previous governor has done, then I consider that a step in the right direction. Now, Jeff, pull your head out of rear! Written by Come on, Jeff
on 11/18/2009
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Jeff: Haven't checked in on Bayou Buzz lately. Boy, was I surprised to see this column. Glad see you're finally seeing through the some of the fraud and "ethically challenged" actions perpetuated by "our boy governor". Written by Gritsngumbo
on 11/18/2009
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Jeff, dear, Rhett and I tried our best to warn the public. Well, there is always the next election. Written by RhettsWife
on 11/18/2009
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Yeah, but he gets by with a little help from his friends, oh, he gets high with a little help from his friends........... Hit it Bobby!!!!! - - - - What would you think if I sang out of tune, - Would you stand up and walk out on me. - Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song, - And I'll try not to sing out of key. - I get by with a little help from my friends, - I get high with a little help from my friends, - Going to try with a little help from my friends. - What do I do when my love is away. - (Does it worry you to be alone) - How do I feel by the end of the day - (Are you sad because you're on your own) - No I get by with a little help from my friends, - (Do you need anybody), - I need somebody to love. - (Could it be anybody) - I want somebody to love. - Would you believe in a love at first sight, - (Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time). - What do you see when you turn out the light, - (I can't tell you, but I know it's mine). - Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends, - (Do you need anybody), - - I just need somebody to love, - (Could it be anybody), - I want somebody to love. - I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends, with a little help from my friends.............
Written by
on 11/18/2009
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Jindal is nothing more than the biggest con artist to ever hit Louisiana. Written by Cry over this
on 11/18/2009
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Still trying to write like me are ya???? good ole 'Written by II' or 'III' sort of sounds like that goofy whisperer on T.V who says; "I see Ghosts".... Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!!!! Written by
on 11/18/2009
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Jindal is very much a leader that's why he gets everything he wants when dealing with the legislature. Less of a leader would not. It's amazing how your perception is so faulty.
Written by
on 11/18/2009
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This is this most short sighted and ignorant article I ever read. In this world of mass communication; the governor doesn't need to sit behind his desk to be working for Louisiana. As a matter of fact that's how "nothing" gets done. Do you think it's just by chance that many businesses are relocating their offices to Louisiana or committing to Louisana. It's because the governor is working hard and talking to people across the country. If you don't do that, do fund raisers, and other things that attracts the movers and shakers then you don't make progress for your state; and the governor has been making lots of progress. And all you say is "oh he's wasting tax payer money flying here and flying there". How penny wise and dollar foolish can you be! Written by
on 11/18/2009
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Thank you Mr Crouere and I agree with you 100 percent.
Written by Cry over this
on 11/17/2009
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My Momma always told me , "Never say Never" , I never thought you would write any thing I would agree with and there you do. Thank you. Please send this to the advocate in Baton rouge as they seem afraid to print anything about Gov. Jindal. He can campaign all he wants to, as long as he pays his own way, I have no problem with that, but not on tax payer dollars. thank you Written by Patricia Pizzolato
on 11/17/2009
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Well said Jeff. Stevie Wonder had a hit song in the 80's, "Part Time Lover." We should change our state song from "You Are My Sunshine" to "Part Time Governor." The state should be reimbursed for every penny spent for security for purely political trips to rub elbows with national republican movers and shakers. I think I'll take a full-time salary at my job but fly around the country three days a week on someone else' dime--the boss will hve no problem with that. Look for the intolerant, partisan ideologues to have a tizzy. I don't care who does the same thing--republican or democrat--if it's wrong, it's wrong. Written by Randall
on 11/17/2009
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Jeff, why the tears? You were given the benchmark in which to measure the suitability of a candidate by.. And it was tossed on the wayside… Yup, several years later, and what is it that you didn’t already know? Yeah, that was one helluva B.J. we got for the last governor’s election… Written by
on 11/17/2009
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I never did think I would long for the days of Mike Foster, but I now miss “Big Daddy.” Of course government watchdog C.B. Forgotston gave Foster this nickname and it perfectly fit Foster’s plantation patrician style of leadership. Foster was the Governor who would never leave the state and spent all of his time playing with his high priced toys, hunting, fishing and going to law school. Foster did not do much as Governor, but at least he did not waste millions of taxpayer dollars on his travels. 
