Today, we are hearing rumors that U.S. Congressman Bobby Jindal (R-Kenner) will skip the final debate to cast a vote to override the President’s veto of the children’s health insurance program. If this occurs, it will be a blatantly political decision showing that Jindal is trying to score political points at the expense of his conservative philosophy. The President was correct to veto the bloated bill, so it is very unfortunate that Jindal is even considering casting a vote to override this veto.
Jindal has only participated in two debates during this election, skipping scores of other opportunities to engage his opponents and the voters in a discussion of the issues. It was a calculated decision to reduce his exposure and limit the opportunities for his opponents to gain traction. Yet, it was a disservice to the voters of Louisiana who were shortchanged a vigorous debate on the important issues in this election.
If Jindal misses this debate it will be another insult to the voters. This final debate will be the last time the people of Louisiana will be able to see these candidates in action before the election. Since so many debates were missed, this debate tonight has added meaning, so if Jindal refuses to attend, it could hurt him on Election Day.
This election has seen fewer televised debates than any gubernatorial election since the dawn of television. Does it matter? Of course, this could be the most important election in our state’s history. The issues are extremely grave. Voters need and deserve a full airing of the issues we are facing. Instead, there has been apathy, and the few debates have been replaced by attack commercials.
Advertising does a poor job of informing voters where candidates stand on the issues. Usually, these ads slam one opponent trying to skew the voters in a particular direction. In a debate vacuum, attack commercials are even more noticeable and that is a disturbing development.
Tonight if Bobby Jindal does not attend the debate, it will be a political mistake. It will also be a slap in the face to the voters of Louisiana. Let’s hope he keeps his commitment to participate and engages his opponents in a discussion of something rarely seen in this election, the issues.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 5 till 9 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
"This election has seen fewer televised debates than any gubernatorial election since the dawn of television." Since the dawn of television? Although I wasn't around, I have to believe there weren't a lot of televised deabtes in 1947 and 1951. Actually, I don't recall there being a lot of televised debates during McKeithen's races. Written by Prof
on 10/18/2007
I agree with the Professor,that Jindal is very smart. He is smart enough never to have had to work at a real job for a living. He is smart enough to have gotten fat off the government trough,he accuses others to be eating from. Bobby Jindal was smart enough to agree with Walter Boasso twice in their debate Thursday night. Written by Diaperman
on 10/18/2007
He works for me too and I told him to go! Written by Tony G
on 10/18/2007
Walter Boasso won the debate. Georges came in second. Jindal came in third ,but it was nice seeing him agree with Walter twice. Campbell came in fourth.
Written by Diaperman
on 10/18/2007
Oh, come off it Anthony. You work at a chemical plant, for an employer. Bobby Jindal works in government, for ME (and everyone else in District 1). I, as his boss, told him that it is not necessary to go. When your boss tells you not to come in to work, Tony, do you go anyway? And, perhaps if you had a snowballs chance of winning, your employer would see the wisdom of giving you a leave of absence to run full-time. But, I think that your employer is relatively sure that you’re going to be at work come January 2. - - - RacistWife – we were 9 votes short. Not one - nine. There was no way that his vote would have turned any tide. The vote happened to take place in the morning. But, it could have easily taken place at 5pm. If it had, he would have missed the debate. So, you would have had him take a chance on missing the debate to cast a vote that would not have mattered. Yeah, sounds like a smart decision to me! He’s smarter than that. - - - 99000, 89999, 89998 . . . Written by Professor
on 10/18/2007
Well, I've got this much to say - if he misses both the vote and the debate then I think we know everything about Bobby Jindal we need to know, don't we? What a pompous little turdbucket. His PR machine keeps that image so shiny, but it's all a sham. Written by Tee Dub
on 10/18/2007
Bobby Jindal is becoming another flip flopper. He says one thing and does another. Written by Diaperman
on 10/18/2007
Professor, dear, was he even in D.C. in the event that his vote would count? Now that is the issue. Knowing that he would not have to cast a vote, he did not even go to D.C., now did he. He couldn't be hurt by that vote. However, it just adds to the numerous other times that he thought his responsibility to represent one way or the other the people of his district did not matter and he did not appear - such a frivilous attitude and disregard for the duty for which he was elected simply points out the reason why he should not be elected governor, dear. Written by RhettsWife
on 10/18/2007
Yeah you're right professor, sluffing off on your job because the end results wont change because of your input is acceptable. Are they hiring where you work? 168K a year and he can't even find his way to DC. I still have to work, my employer doesn't find it acceptable for me not to show up because I decided to run for Governor. Written by Tony G
on 10/18/2007
Prof: you counting the number of people supporting Jindal and how it has been falling for months? Written by Dan
on 10/18/2007
Yes, Jindal was not at the vote. Once it was clear that there were not enough votes to override the veto, he was released from his obligation to vote. Yes he promised me he would make the vote. Yet, it was more important that he be here for the debate than there to make one more "Yea" vote. - - - BTW, Jeff and Steven, do you mind labeling your articles as "Editorial" and "News" in the future? Because you state your opinion in this story, it obviously is not "News". Thanks! 120300, 120299, 120298 . . . Written by Professor
on 10/18/2007
I guess he thought it wiser to miss the vote he promised to make than miss the debate he promised to be at. Sometimes you have to stand your ground for the people you represent not bowing to personal aspirations. I guess that comes with maturity? Written by Tony G
on 10/18/2007
From what we can see, dears, the gentleman at issue was not present in D.C. to cast his vote opposing the veto as he claimed he would. Therefore, there should be no reason for him to fail to attend now is there. Written by RhettsWife
on 10/18/2007
Well said Jeff. The intolerant, blind ideologues will not like any constructive criticism of any of their candidates ever, and will react with their usual knee-jerk intolerance. Nor will those for whom party is the only issue that ever matter. The veto override was cast early in the day, allowing for Mr. Jindal to return for this final debate after running from almost all of the others. His absence, especially for this final chance for the voters to see the four major candidates, would speak volumes about his contempt for "we the people." It is he who serves us, not the other way around. It is we the people who pay his salary, or any other public official--not the other way around. Written by Randy
on 10/18/2007
Audrey: So glad to hear from you again, spewing the left wing nonsense. Of course, you would know that Nancy and Dingy Harry only want to help those poor kids who aren't covered. Too bad your governor, Bobblehead Blanco, has done nothing to sign up those who are eligible. I guess the next thing you'll tell us is how bad this country needs Hillary and Katrina Mary as our healthcare consultants. Geez, the libs will say and do everything in their attempt for power. Written by Bill
on 10/18/2007
The Republican Party continues to vote against the "impoverished"!The bill was not "over bloated" for the medically deprived middle class....those who make under $70,000 and have 5 or more in the family.......Many of these people do not have health insurance by their companies and/or they are small business owners........and cannot afford themselves to purchase insurance.
Well,,,,,I just received a flash e-mail.......Jindal skipped the vote again....in Washington.....The Republican pigs got to him up there ...after he had promised to go against his 4 Republican cronies from Louisiana in Washington.....WELL...THE TRUTH IS OUT.....HE LIED..........! LIED........! And will he show up for the debate tonite......Oh, No.....he'll probably not.......Well.......if we elect him we deserve to be treated like dirt.........Last Word from a Cajun....who was not going to vote for him anyway....... Written by Audrey George
on 10/18/2007
The Republican Party continues to vote against the "impoverished"!The bill was not "over bloated" for the medically deprived middle class....those who make under $70,000 and have 5 or more in the family.......Many of these people do not have health insurance by their companies and/or they are small business owners........and cannot afford themselves to purchase insurance.
Well,,,,,I just received a flash e-mail.......Jindal skipped the vote again....in Washington.....The Republican pigs got to him up there ...after he had promised to go against his 4 Republican cronies from Louisiana in Washington.....WELL...THE TRUTH IS OUT.....HE LIED..........! LIED........! And will he show up for the debate tonite......Oh, No.....he'll probably not.......Well.......if we elect him we deserve to be treated like dirt.........Last Word from a Cajun....who was not going to vote for him anyway....... Written by Audrey George
on 10/18/2007
Right on Jeff. Jindal is a neo-con anti-constitution sell out. He votes lock step for every measure designed to curtail our liberties, pretends he is a conservative, while never missing a chance to increase spending, and will no doubt operate his governorship in the same way. If you cna't reach him now, imagine the ivory tower once he is elected.
I have no doubt that if Bush or the next President tries to federalize the Guard or declare martial law that Bobby Boy would say yes sir, since he voted to end posse comitatus . He also supported the end of habeas corpus, allowing the government to illegally arrest US citizens and hold them indefinitely for any reason anywhere in the world. Scary stuff, and I cannot tolerate that he has not been asked one difficult question. Just like his Daddy, Dubya.
The fact that he would support the massive bloated SChip program tells you he is has no morals or principles. I don't care how smart he is, I will not vote for a fascist, or even worse, an opportunist, especially a smart one. Written by Michele
on 10/18/2007
Thank you Jeff for this excellent story. We just read that there was a failure to override the veto today. Was Mr. Jindal present at that vote? If he was, then there is plenty of time to catch a plane back for the debate tonight, wouldn't you think? Written by RhettsWife
on 10/18/2007
Today, we are hearing rumors that U.S. Congressman Bobby Jindal (R-Kenner) will skip the final debate to cast a vote to override the President’s veto of the children’s health insurance program. If this occurs, it will be a blatantly political decision showing that Jindal is trying to score political points at the expense of his conservative philosophy. The President was correct to veto the bloated bill, so it is very unfortunate that Jindal is even considering casting a vote to override this veto.
