Several months ago, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was the hot ticket in the Republican Party. Unfortunately, he bombed when giving the GOP response to President Obama’s address to Congress in February. Now, he is registering at the bottom of the pack among potential GOP presidential hopefuls. At the recent Values Voters Summit hosted by the Family Research Council in WashingtonD.C., Jindal finished seventh with only 5% of the vote.
With such lackluster results, possibly Jindal is revamping his strategy. In an interview with Politico, Jindal recommended that Republicans work with President Obama to find compromise on the issue of healthcare reform. He advised that Republicans approach the President and say “we’re willing to work with you in a bipartisan way.”
The offer to compromise is quite a different approach from the one that Jindal has exhibited in recent Fox News interviews. He is also pursuing a different strategy from many Republicans who seem more interested in stopping any kind of healthcare bill.
In the same Politico interview, the Governor refused to endorse incumbent Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter for re-election. Even though Jindal headlined a Vitter fundraiser several months ago, he did not offer any kind of support for the Senator in the interview. This stance will not endear Jindal to conservatives in the Republican Party, who have rallied around Vitter. Will Jindal endorse Democrat Charlie Melancon, who supports Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama? Or will he run against Vitter? Maybe Jindal is tired of being Governor as he does seem to be constantly in search of the next job.
While Jindal has been tending to other business or traveling to fundraisers in other states, Vitter has been conducting 22 town hall meetings on the health care reform bill. While Jindal has been silent on the tea party movement, Vitter has been strong supporting the local groups and leading the charge. Whether it is the issue of Obama cabinet members or the President’s liberal agenda, Vitter has been in strong opposition. In contrast, Jindal has been taking a much lower profile position.
In the interview, Jindal noted that his focus is not on the presidency, but on running for re-election in 2011. However, Jindal should not assume that he will receive a free ride in the next election. Jindal’s poll numbers are fairly good in Louisiana, but not extremely impressive. One problem is that he has been rightfully criticized for hypocrisy in accepting stimulus money from the federal government and handing out stimulus checks to local communities, while condemning the stimulus bill.
Possibly, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu or even State Treasurer John Kennedy may be tempted to enter the 2011 Governor’s race if Jindal has weak poll numbers. In recent weeks, Kennedy has taken the lead on the important issue of streamlining government and acting more like a Governor than Jindal. He is conducting media interviews each day and offering concrete ideas on how to save taxpayer money. One of Kennedy’s proposals is to save CharityHospital instead of building an expensive new LSU teaching hospital next to downtown New Orleans. Again, Jindal has been largely absent from the political debate on the issue of streamlining state government or determining the future of healthcare in New Orleans. If Jindal wanted to take action on the hospital controversy, he could have resolved the conflict months ago.
With Kennedy has been leading on the state level and Vitter has been leading on the national level, maybe Jindal figured it was time to return to the debate. Yet, his message of compromise will not help his poll numbers here in Louisiana or among Republican activists nationwide. A large majority of Republicans want to defeat the President’s healthcare plan, not compromise with him. The interview should remind voters that Jindal is not the conservative that was advertised to Louisiana voters in the last election and recent polls should show everyone that he is not the popular politician that many so-called experts predicted.
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 webite at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Well okay .. it could be all that too ... I guess I'm trying to be optimistic as well as pragmatic. Written by kpf
on 10/5/2009
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However, I do not want to be involved with fear mongering....... Collapse..... Hmmmmmmm, Collapse of what? We will still be here..... but we will be broke, no cohesion, no across the board commonality on a state to state basis and where will our freedoms go? Will we be reduced to a police state? No freedom to conduct business, to tend our own affairs, manage our money, our family, provide for our loved ones.............................. Even the government workers will be screwed because when the waste deadheads on the payroll are discovered and it is decided they are not really keeping the population in line with their useless postions and taskings well guess what, they go in the stew pot too.................. We will survive, we will keep existing, we will just have nothing to aspire to anymore.... We will become a 4th world country.... Not a 2nd or 3rd.... Fourth is reserved for jackasses that had it all and threw it all away.................................. We had our grab at the brass ring and now we are going to march to the tune of the brass band................. Written by
on 10/5/2009
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""""" isn't it more realistic to think that after the collapse, we will become wiser as a nation concerning government entitlements and deficit spending."""""???? Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Kp, you has slipped yer disco..... After a collapse, if that happens (and it does indeed appear to be on the way, oh well, maybe we can incorporate and try to protect ourselves with laws that no other nation is going to honor) we will no longer be a nation, and we will not be any wiser................... Now that my friend is probably a more realistic way to look at things........................... Written by
on 10/5/2009
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Since both political parties a guilty of creating the economic mess (ignoring entitlement unfunded liabilities, massive debt, etc.) isn't it more realistic to think that after the collapse, we will become wiser as a nation concerning government entitlements and deficit spending. The day before her "WHAT MY HUSBAND THINKS?!" flap, none other the HRH Hillary Clinton said "eventually we will need to get a handle <her words> on entitlements and the deficit." So even lefties like Hillary realize the peril we are in. However, no politician of either party will have the "intestinal fortitude" to actually bring up the subject of the sustainability of our current fiscal direction; so "hoping for the best” AFTER we "hit bottom" with our finances may be the only "optimistic outlook" available to us. Not really what I want to see, but I'm trying to be pragmatic on this matter. Written by kpf
on 10/3/2009
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KJ wrote: "Doesn't matter-- Women won." Well I'm not a woman, so I cannot speak for how they might feel about the Ledbetter act. But I am certain that the legislation raises comprehensive insurance costs for employers everywhere, which is something you will not find reading the act, but outside of it in numerous places. That increase in costs makes it more expensive to hire all employees, male and female. And the more expensive it becomes to hire people, the fewer people get jobs and the more difficult it becomes to get out of this recession. This is what is happening under Obama; our boat is sinking and our President and his liberal Democratic allies in Congress are not only failing to bail water, they are shooting more holes in the bottom of the boat. We all lost on this one. And we're still sinking. Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 10/3/2009
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Sorry to say Kp, but you missed the boat……. You failed to name one single political issue….. Rather, those are human issues….. And anyone out there that tries to lessen the potentials we can improve upon during the individual brief human experience we are allowed for such a short short time is nothing but a narcissist and those should be allowed to live a secluded life they desire in some isolated region….. No, Kp, I choose free will…….. and to exercise free will is next to impossible in these days and ages because we are collectively becoming disempowered…. We are either doing it to ourselves, or we are allowing someone else to do it to us………………………… And Kj, being a women doesn't entitle them to any special conditions in the workplace............... If they can stack bricks the same as a man, well, give them the same pay.... And if they can't be there everyday doing that task everyday because of other obligations nature has decided they must face, well then, who am I to argue the point? It is already obvious..... And that Kp, is politics..... Trying to fit a square peg into a round hole and convince everybody it works just as good.................. Written by
on 10/3/2009
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Kpf and Jacob--- Vitter lost that one too....and, because of Lbby Ledbetter's unjust experience in the work place, the Ledbetter Act has become law-- and will protect women from unfair treatment in the future .... (I know what the new law says... I suggest you two chauvinists read up on it... Doesn't matter-- Women won.... NO thanks to Vitter) Written by KJ- Read the Ledbetter Act
on 10/2/2009
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David, David, David. Anyone who manages to reach the presidency in THIS couontry, has ties to the corporate elite. Written by 2906H
on 10/2/2009
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Jindal has to decide where he stands in the current GOP civil war between the corporate elite and the conservative populists. While the leadership of the Louisiana GOP is mostly aligned with the corporate elite, the rank and file Republicans in Louisiana are mostly aligned with the conservative populists. Jindal's change in tune reflects the realization that the conservative populists are moving towards Huckabee and Palin, leaving his best opportunity with the corporate elite which has been generously contributing to his gubernatorial campaign. As his presidential hopes fade, he may yet be the VP choice for Romney or Pawlenty who are more in tune with the corporate elite. Written by David Quidd
on 10/2/2009
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"Increases the cost of employment . . ." YEAH!!! Go kpf, Go! Run with it! The more it costs to hire someone, the fewer people get hired. That's the language of public policy assessment we must learn to use to get anywhere. Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 10/2/2009
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The Lilly Ledbetter act in no way helps women, rather it increases the cost of employment - basically increasing the cost to consumers for the benefit of trial lawyers, THE major contributor to the Democratic Party. Political payback, not protecting women. Vitter will be re-elected, his record in congress makes him worthy of it. He is a bulwark against the expansionist left, as such he derserves to be re-elected, and will be. There is no "disparity in pay" for equal work. If there was, then the evil profit-seeking capitalists would employ women instead of men to "do the same work for less pay" to increase their profits. The "unequal pay for women" is a myth; like the global warming myth, it is more about anti-capitalist sentiment than any concern for people. Written by kpf
on 10/2/2009
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Well Ready Eddie, let me ask "What did Melancon do during Katrina?" The answer is that he helped lead the effort to stifle an investigation into what occurred so that he and his Democrat allies in Congress could conceal the greatest civil rights crime committed against a minority population since the age of segregation because he knew that an investigation would show that the State of Louisiana had deliberately prevented rescue and relief efforts from reaching Orleans Parish until it could be guaranteed that the stranded population there would be taken completely out of the area. Never mind that people died as a consequence of this mismanagement of the rescue and relief effort, never mind that the reason why they were left stranded was a consequence of the color of their skin; never mind any of that. Lives do not matter to those who hate so virulently that they are willing to conceal the deaths of the innocent to achieve their political aims. Melancon is one of the "breaking eggs" crowd and, having shown us what he is we have every right, no let me rephrase that, we have the "duty" to stop him and let him know that we remember. Charles Melancon has no business going to Washington, period! Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 10/1/2009
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Sharon, you have been one of the first people who complains about the reputation of Louisiana. Vitter really gives us a good reputation, right? Also, what did he do during Katrina? He gave us the ten percent matching on FEMA. That came at a time when LaLa land had no money at all. He is really smart. That is why he goes through doors where alarms go off, opens the door on the prostitute issue and ACORN, gets caught with in a prostitute ring and boy, and lies about the FEMA appointment hold. He got nothing out of that but tried to claim credit. He is an embarrassment and that is why Jindal is holding out. Jindal is stupid but he is not nuts. We conservatives need to find a good candidate without a horrible record of service and without aven worse national reputation. Anybody can say no. The good lawmakers are the ones who can work with other people. Vitter cannot work with anyone and I am not sure if he is dumb or dumber. We need someone with family values, or the DEmos will point us to be the party of Vitter and Wendy--as in Cortez.
Written by Ready Eddie
on 10/1/2009
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How 'bout the Libby Ledbetter Bill, Sharon?... Perhaps you have no daughters... but, I bet Vitter had no thought of his daughters when he voted against it. Written by KjunLady
on 10/1/2009
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That is good news Mr.Sulzbach. While I cannot quote statistical data on this, our state (particularly the southern portion) has native food and music that ranks - IMHO - second to none. That certainly is a "quality of life" issue for those of us who appreciate and enjoy the Cajun and Creole food, music and dance unique to south Louisiana. (ever go up nort an' eat dat Yankee food - BLEECH ... man you gotta be kiddin' HANH??). Written by kpf
on 10/1/2009
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He He wrote "... the only thing we are number 1 is being last or 2nd to last in almost everything that is positive concerning progress ..." Not anymore. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has Louisiana ranked with the 18th lowest unemployment rate in the country and frankly, of those above us, only Virginia, Colorado, and maybe Iowa are states of any size; all the others are small states. I have not found the historical rankings statistics in a quick search but I can remember that, while we have been below the national average in unemployment rate in recent history, many of those states now ranked below us (Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Washington really leap out) used to be in front of us. Our entire country is in terrible shape with unemployment and at least the relative ranking of Louisiana is improving. And if I'm offered any "rank" statistic I want to see us improve, I will choose the unemployment rate first. Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 10/1/2009
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Jindal's endorsement would carry no weight for me. Right now the choice is between Vitter and Melancon. I have watched both men both in committee and on the floors of the their respective houses of Congress. There is just no comparison when it comes to who is more effective and more capable to write, understand and articulate legislation that is good for Louisiana. Then there is which party's leadership represents Louisiana's best interests. I know Melancon and still sadly no matter what he says, he votes with Pelosi over 90% of the time. Since I disagree with her 98% of the time, he cannot get my vote. I have no doubt that if Melancon's was the one vote Pelosi needed to pass any bill including Cap & Trade (which would be devastating to Louisiana)he would vote party line. He voted to allow a bill out of committee even though he said he was against it because Waxman asked him to. Did he not understand that if your party has a huge majority the place to kill something you are against is in committee. He would be even worse in the Senate. Written by Sharon
on 10/1/2009
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"Threat to Louisiana's progress" What progress? Republican or Democrat or Both, the only thing we are number 1 is being last or 2nd to last in almost everything that is positive concerning progress. For the last 70 years I have been hearing about jobs and progress for Louisiana and I am still waiting. Written by He He
on 10/1/2009
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I disagree Smitty, political issues and legislation is not for putzes, but getting caught up in politicians' private lives is a sign of a truly clueless mind. "Vitter" "Jindal" "Obama" - who gives a rats a$$? "Issues" like "slavery" "women's sufferage" "foreign entanglements" "a sound currency" "flood protection" "energy policy" "debt and deficits" "illegal immigration" "unfunded liabilities for government entitlements" "tariffs and trade" and yes, "healthcare" - these ARE important. I don't get the "celebrity culture" mentality so many have in this country. They are missing the forest for the trees - or more accurately - missing the important issues for the dorks blabbing before the cameras about their importance and how "much they care" about "the people." I do agree with your "get back to the basics" - if by that you mean be a productive member of society who contributes something worthwhile. Written by kpf
on 10/1/2009
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Jake, stick to Backgammon games.... Politics is for putzes..... We all know that the person that gets elected is the person that has the money behind it.... You must not go to the horse races very often do you....? The elections are already over, and the winner's have already been chosen...... You political hacks/armchair speclatitions are sooooooo boring, next thing I know some genius will be spouting off and sputtering around about what a genius James Carville is and how all the problems we now face are Obama's fault and that Piyush has valid ethics aspirations....... Oh wait, I forgot, they are all George Bush's fault... NO they were Bill Clinton's fault!!!! No!!! Herbert Hoover started this mess!!!!!! Why don't y'all sort of get back to basics? Written by
on 10/1/2009
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Sharon, what kind of weight could Piyush's endoursement add to any legitimate candidate? Seriously....... Written by
on 10/1/2009
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My ex-wife would help people with their finances while I was offshore - sometimes when I came home there was no money to pay our bills. "All heart and no head" (for finances). My ex-'s problem, the soft-hearted liberals problem. It isn't "what needs to be done" it is "what can we afford to do." Liberals will never understand that, which is why California's budget is in the sewer. Written by kpf
on 10/1/2009
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Several good points there Sharon, but I like this one best: "... Electing Melancon would give Reid another solid vote for a party that represents a real threat to Louisiana's progress. . . ." That is the entirety of the choice in my opinion. Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 10/1/2009
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I just think that Jindal is not going to endorse anyone so soon. As for Vitter, he has his faults but he is one heck of a legislator. The work he did on the immigration bill was a perfect example. The fact that Vitter's name was the only one released in the D.C. Madame case leads me to believe that this was political. No excuse but still political. Looking now it seems that Melancon has latched on to this issue instead of touting his "voting record". Cannot blame him for that. Despite his claims Pelosi never worries about where Charlie will be if needed. Melancon got his start in politics working for Edwin Edwards. His email saying to the effect that he felt compelled to run against Vitter because of the scandal and ridicule Vitter had brought upon Louisiana. Now that is rich considering the history of Louisiana politicians. Electing Melancon would give Reid another solid vote for a party that represents a real threat to Louisiana's progress. Melancon is already talking up the Southern Democrat Cajun man thing into the election. Happily married man etc. Geeze. The last time Louisiana voted for the happily married, honest, Southern Democrat Cajun we got Kathleen Blanco. Let's not repeat the same mistake. Written by Sharon
on 10/1/2009
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Hey Jakey Jake, do you wear one of those cute little LSU cheer leader outfits while you flail your pom-poms during one of your rooty-poot-poot raves about your 'faves' that in reality should also get the boot???? Get a life dude, but yes I agree with you that Charlie Boy gotta go too......... Written by
on 10/1/2009
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Vitter this and Vitter that, talk about Vitter yackity yak-yak............. What a broken record....... Vote for someone else next election...... And I would like to know how on earth Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu or even State Treasurer John Kennedy is any different than the same old stale old song 'n dance spins we have in office now? Can't you all evolve just a little and sort of break out of that mold and start looking around for some real talent????????????????? Good Gawd ahmighty I am going cross-eyed from looking at all the stupidity that surrounds us on a day to day basis.... In case y'all haven't noticed there are some really really big problems going on out there, can't you even make a reasonable effort above and beyond some silly march or demonstration, or bloggy blog blog to fix things???? Written by
on 10/1/2009
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Anyway the wind blows.................................................. two-faced perhaps? How about multi faceted? Nah, that would imply he is very complex when at its bare essence the subject of Piyush is rather simple really; Fame and fortune, - fame and fortune......... (O.K. folks, time to plug in some music from; Bad Co.......... Fame and Fortune album - 1986 - title song: fame and fortune. 3:34 play, ) Sittin' in the back of a limousine, feelin' just like a king, all the girls come runnin' to you, you're the latest thing... Sittin' up there at the top of the charts, lookin' like Mr. Cool..... You take all the money, steal their hearts, they'll come runnin' to you - - - Your fame and your fortune, look what it brought you.... All your fame and your fortune, you better take a look around - - - With your fame and your fortune, careful who you talk to.... Or the fame and your fortune, watch it all tumble down, yeah, oh listen now....... Now you're lookin' for inspiration, somethin' to say - - - When you find that it don't come easy, you find them running away..... You had it all in the palm of your hand, and let it slip away - - - You made it big, ooh so big, and then you threw it all away..... All your fame and your fortune, look what it brought you - - - - Fame and your fortune, hey you better take another look.... At your fame and your fortune, it set you up, then it caught you..... Fame and your fortune, surely gonna let you down, hey tell me now - - - (Solo) All your fame and your fortune, look what it brought you..... Take your fame and your fortune, wait and take a look around - - - - For your fame and your fortune, who do you talk to 'Bout your fame and your fortune, as it all comes tumbling down - - - -- Fame and your fortune, fame and your fortune, yes all come tumbling down....... Fame and your fortune, fame and your fortune, all comes tumbling down... * * * * * * * * * * * CAN WE START TO GET OVER THE PIYUSH LA-LA-PALOOZA NOW AND START FINDING A SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR OUR NEXT GOVERNOR... I MEAN SERIOUSLY FOLKS, ARE YOU ALL DUMMER THAN A BOX 'O ROKS OR WHAT???????????????????????????????? SHEESH, WE DON'T NEED NO PIYEESH............................ Written by
on 10/1/2009
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I can only assume that Jindal feels the same way I do about David Vitter, who left us all embarrassed by his refusal to resign when the D.C. Madam sex scandal broke, but who also is our only hope to stop Charles Melancon, who represents the worst of the Democratic Party in Louisiana and would be a real threat if elected. We have to hold our noses and back Vitter in self-defense. And as for Jindal's poll numbers and the greater activism on budget cuts shown by Treasurer Kennedy I would like to point out two things; working on budget reform should be a proper activity for a state Treasurer and becoming identified with proposing budget cuts is not going to increase Jindal's popularity. I think Jindal is trying to develop a consensus that budget cuts must be made, and his actions in appointing the two commissions who are tasked to come up with recommendations -- see that recent article by John McGinnis on this site -- demonstrate that desire to move Louisianians toward that consensus viewpoint. To simply stand up and propose the specific cuts without developing the consensus will only make Jindal a fixed target and could return us to the type of political climate we had in the 2003 gubernatorial election when this state made one of its worst mistakes ever in electing Kathleen Blanco, who never understood anything about budgetary matters and state politics, but who knew how to benefit politically from popular anger among those most concerned about the consequences of making hard fiscal decisions. Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 10/1/2009
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Several months ago, Louisiana Governor 
