With the Louisiana legislative session coming to a close this week, the Republican Party might be able to take a breath of relief from the acrimony within the party during the session. The controversy around Louisiana State Sen. Karen Carter Peterson’s comment about race and Obamacare, has been a gift to the party which political opportunity has been solely needed.

The Louisiana GOP, once again, are taking advantage of the recent statement that has stoked the racial flames in Louisiana and elsewhere.

This past week has been a particularly violent one in New Orleans. A criminal court judge was carjacked; a couple was brutally assaulted in the heart of the Central Business District.

Last year, New Orleans welcomed 9 million visitors to the city, another fantastic success for the tourism industry. While this is impressive, it pales in comparison to the goal of 13 million visitors for the tri-centennial of New Orleans in 2018. 

As was expected, the Republicans won the party and the class warfare issue in the House's Health and Welfare committee , giving Governor Bobby Jindal a victory over the Democrats' attempt to accept Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act's expansion.  The vote, an involuntary deferrment, was on party lines 11-8.   One of the key issues dominating the discussion was whether more citizens of Louisiana would be dependent upon the government, should the State of Louisiana accept the Medicaid provision.  Jindal has refused to accept the Medicaid expansion.  Other bills on the issue are up for future consideration.

It is not looking good for the Democrats as the party attempts to retain the Senate and gain control of the House in the upcoming mid-term elections.

Southern Media and Opinion Research (SMOR) has come out with its latest survey on Governor Bobby Jindal (R-La) and Senator Mary Landrieu.  The survey shows Gov. Jindal with an approval rating of 38% while U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La) has an approval rating of 56% with just 12% giving her an excellent rating.

The Louisiana and much of the U.S. political community is abuzz over the recent poll conducted by Buster McKenzie and Bernie Pinsonat of SMOR.

The annual pre-legislative session SMOR poll has been released today by Bernie Pinsonat and it does not look pretty for at least one of our state’s heretofore most popular elected officials--

“I advise anyone who thinks he knows something about politics to go down to Louisiana and take a postgraduate course.” –Texas U.S. Sen. Tom Connally, 1932.