Is he the revolutionary who came into Louisiana mindset because the voters demanded change in social, fiscal and political policies and he was the obvious “change agent”?  Or, is he the new Louisiana Machiavellian who harbors national ambitions and hides his own true self from the public and perhaps even to himself.

The truth is--right now, we really do not know his own identity.  His own political fumbling has created so much doubt in the minds of the voters and in that of the legislators that the political and social climate is as polluted as was the Katrina water--weeks after the flood.

Right now, many legislators are seething with anger.  Without doubt, in that mix is their perceived “pay raise double cross”, their lack of faith in the Governor’s word and  motives and their legitimate or perhaps political concerns that the Louisiana citizenry is financially desperate while the Government treasury is spouting like a green fountain.    

They have legitimate reasons to question the Governor’s true identity.  Without doubt, he wants his base to return to his own feet and it appears that Governor Jindal has decided to play to their emotions of fiscal reform. 

Ironically and unfortunately, since his name is still being bantered in the national media as a “Vice President wannabe” and since he has failed to say “no” when others have done so, he is playing right into the hands of the legislators who are claiming that this “new” Bobby Jindal is merely a self-serving heartless hypocrite, willing to engage in national political showmanship while real Louisiana people suffer.

Some legislators are asking a legitimate question that might have a legitimate Team Jindal answer.  A number of them are asking why did the Governor on Monday go so far out of his way to cut so many programs (many which are so vital in a post-Katrina recovery) and to do so with such flair of political showmanship that it came across like he is now touting his “new-found” manhood?

The Governor should be praised in some respects--if he is truly believes in what he says.  Without doubt, government should never do what the private sector is able to do.  If organizations are able to raise money to sustain themselves by themselves, they should do so even if it serves the public need.  Also, the Jindal budget revolution is a clear break from the past which could be the reason for his intentionally poking Governors Blanco and Foster in the nose over their own budgetary restraints.

To the extent that Jindal is setting new policy demarcating the role of government and to the extent that he is doing so because is an honest believer, reality dictates that it will be a painful exercise for many at a time when the Capitol river is green with money.

However, if the Governor is acting for the national stage for his own personal gain, given that many of the cuts were not necessary due to immense budget surpluses, it would be one the cruelest acts by a Louisiana governor in modern age.

In reality, these cuts might have come at the wrong time.  Louisiana is still very much in “Katrina and Rita” mode.  There is very little money on the street in many parishes that quite a few of the not-for-profits that he cut will simply fold.  So many of them will be competing against one another for so few dollars.  It is true, there are organizations and entities that in the past have been non-deserving of government monies and there are some who should go on a fiscal diet.  Yet, many do so much public good for people who are truly struggling and it will be very bad to see those organizations unable to provide important and sometimes necessary services to the people they serve.

Ultimately, whether the legislative anger over the next few weeks is backed by that of the people is Question Numero Uno.  If the Louisiana citizens feel that they want the governmental services more than they want the new Jindal “lean and mean” fiscal machine, the legislators will not coalesce around a veto override in early August.   However, if the Louisiana citizens believe that this HB1 blood bath is the latest Jindal stunt, that they want the post-Katrina services, they will push their legislators into a revolt.

Governor Jindal can diffuse part of the possible public and legislative backlash.  If he really cares about Louisiana and not about his own political career, he would put a total end to his vice president aspirations.  By not doing so, he is only fueling the fire.  By not doing so, he is being perceived as allowing the image of the unsightly homeless under the New Orleans Claiborne and Canal Street overpass to linger as he plays for the Presidential second fiddle.  By not doing so, his message of true Louisiana reformer becomes questioned, probed and scrutinized like looking at an ugly scab.

The Governor can put much of the anger to rest by showing he is serious about implementing the changes in government and by absolutely staying put to carry out his policies.  By playing both sides of the field, he is speaking out of both sides of his mouth while many people truly suffer and while he risks the embarrassment of numerous veto overrides.    

Bobby Jindal has his own faith in his own hands.  He can hide from his own reality.  Ultimately, he will be found to be a fool unless he cuts bait with the Nationals and does the work of the Louisiana people who voted for him to be their Governor.

If you agree or disagree with this column and want to write a letter to the Bayoubuzz for publication, email us at steve@bayoubuzz.com.  Otherwise, feel free to  comment on our Buzzbacks, below.

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