GOP Failing in Louisiana

Will he or won't he? That's the question everyone seems to be asking. Of course the he is former Senator John Breaux and the question is will he run for governor?

The bigger question is what does the governor's race mean to the Republican Party?

Political commentator Clancy DuBos has appeared on WWL 870-AM several times talking about the governor's race. Each time, he always mentions the fact the governor's race is just a warm-up for Senator Mary Landrieu's seat when she comes up for re-election in 2008.

To me, the Republican Party, especially at the state level, has always had a history of shooting itself in the foot (look at Buddy Roemer's campaign for governor). The national party tends to be a little better, but not by much.

The state GOP leadership is going full-in for Representative Bobby Jindal, who last the Governor's race four years ago to Governor Kathleen Blanco. Jindal is a favorite to win, but the election is still six months away and a lot can happen in those six months.

What I'm wondering is, what happens if Jindal loses? Would that kill the GOP's chances at defeating Landrieu? Would a Jindal win be enough to secure a win against Landrieu?

I'm sure Clancy DuBos is right and the GOP is considering the governor's race a warm-up to the battle for Landrieu's spot. However, I don't think it will effect voters that much either way.

Where I think the Republican party is failing to look is at hurricane recovery.

Let's face it, every aspect of government got an F in dealing with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. However, local governments have been able to pull to a C, while the state is still flip-flopping between a D and an F.

The federal government keeps trying to dig itself out of a failing grade, but for every step forward, they take two steps back whether it is Congress or the Bush administration.

The issues that I think Louisiana voters will be thinking about when they go vote in 2008:

• Dismissal of the 10% matching funds requirement.


• Closing the MRGO


• Revamping the Stafford Act


• LRA Money Being Used to Repay SBA Loans


• Rebuilding and improving the failed levees in New Orleans


• Funding for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf levee project.

If these issues are not resolved, I will not be surprised to see the entire gulf coast vote for the Democrat in both the presidential and senatorial elections.