LA-GOV: Looks like runoff will be two Republicans: Jindal and Boasso
Opportunist Boasso is switching back to the Democratic Party to run
By Adam C Posted in 2007 — Comments (3) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Because Bobby Jindal (R) has raised $5 million from a large network of supporters throughout Louisiana and because lobbyist John Breaux (D) refused to jump in the race to lose to Jindal, also-ran businessman Walter Boasso (R) is becoming Walter Boasso (D).
Since GOV Blanco (D) refused to stand again to lose handily, Breaux (D) did not want to risk his winning streak, and LT GOV Landrieu (D) is gun shy after losing the NOLA Mayoral election, it falls to one of two men to represent the Democrats. First, is Mr. Campbell (D) a modern day socialist whose only real policy is to milk the oil companies in southern LA (which will definitely attract jobs to that region, heh) and Walter Boasso whose current claim to fame is that he can donate to himself the same amount of money that Jindal earned by asking committed voters to help him out. A close second on Boasso's resume is the double party flip as he went D to R to D, marking him as a rank opportunist.
Of course this humorous dance of the also-rans is ultimately unimportant as every poll of the race shows Jindal with over 50% of the vote on the first ballot unless Breaux were in the race. Actually, Boasso's party switch makes it more likely that Jindal can win on the first ballot as there are no other credible Republicans on the ballot (similar to SEN Vitter's (R) first round win in 2004). Jindal is the most popular politician in LA and it looks increasingly likely that he will get a chance to reform the state.
Finally, as Jindal's chances of a landslide increase, so do the odds that Rs could take either the state house or state senate which are seeing term limits bite for the first time. That could be a very progressive step for LA.
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LA-GOV: Looks like runoff will be two Republicans: Jindal and Boasso 3 Comments (0 topical, 3 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Well, if you gain the governorship of La., it will be cancelled out by losing the governorship of Kentucky.
First, I don't see the map of governors as a score card. So I don't see any one "canceling out" another. The actual Governor of each state matters, not his or her party. So GOVs Henry (D-OK) and Bredesen (D-TN) have done great jobs, but of course neither could run for President b/c they are too conservative for the Democratic Party.
Second, having Gov. Jindal reform and fix the dysfunctional state of LA is far more important to me than what happens in KY which is not sorely in need of a major reformer. Hence, why I am covering the LA gubernatorial race far closer than the KY race.
Third, I wouldn't make such a blanket statement before the primaries determine who will be in the KY election.
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Bobby Jindal Saves Louisiana
Let's not be too hard on Mr. Boasso for his mercurial connection to party; it's almost certainly his only claim to being Churchillian.