Update on Louisiana Governors Race

[CMT]

The White House is doing nothing to help the Republican frontrunner in the Louisiana guvernatorial race, despite the possibility that the state could play a pivotal role in next year's presidential election.

Bobby Jindal, a former Rholdes scholar who once ran the University of Louisiana system and the state Department of Health and Hospitals, is in a dead heat with Democratic Lt. Gov. Kathleen Blanco in the sprawling, 18-candidate race, and is the only one with a shot at keepting the GOP in control.

Recent Southern Media poll released earlier this month:
Blanco (D) 15%
Jindal (R) 14%
Leach (D) 11%
Ieyoub (D) 10%

It is an open primary on October 4th.

http://www.hillnews.com/campaign/091003_tauzin.aspx

It is close enough that if we get a strong voter turnout among Dems that we could have two DEMOCRATS in a run-off which would guarantee a Democratic pick-up in Louisiana.

[mndemocrat_29]

1. My safe assumption is that it will be Blanco vs. Jindal in a runoff

However, I still hope that Jindal will suffer from low support and that Ieyoub will come from behind and it will be Ieyoub vs. Blanco. Either way, I'm guessing Blanco will be the next governor of Louisiana, and will probably help us in Louisiana in 2004.

[CMT]

2. Louisiana could be a real battleground in 2004

Look at what has happened in the last ten months. Mary L was re-elected to the Senate despite the Rove machine. On that election day we also, unexpectedly, won a GOP house seat. Three of the top four candidates for Governor are Dems and chances are we will elect a Democratic Governor this year. The state has a huge African-American population that if we can motivate and give a reason to turn out can win the state for a Democratic presidential candidate in 2004--given that Louisiana has a high unemployment rate under Bush.

It makes me wonder if Mary L. would be a good running mate? If we pull Louisiana from under Bush--it is doubtful that it will be a good night for George Worthless Bush.

[mndemocrat_29]

3. I've been touting Mary for a while now

I'd rather have Blanche Lincoln, but Mary is a tough campaigner and one of the few candidates who really could help deliver the South (or at least Louisiana and Arkansas).

[CMT]

4. yes, Blanche Lincoln would be even better

but we need her to run for re-election in senate. Both are good though, Mary and Blanche.

[opstachuck]

5. Curious, what happened to Foster?

I'm from New Orleans originally, and I know I should know this, but why isn't Foster in the race?

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Term Limits

[opstachuck]

7. know anything about Nagin?

I heard some good things but nothing specific. It's been over a decade since I moved so I'm pretty ignorant of Louisiana politics in general.

[wrkclskid]

8. This race may have senate implications

Breaux is seriosuly considering retiring. However, he is very partisan (yeah who would have thought?) so he is hoping a dem wins the goernorship. If so, Breaux may very well retire that dem. Goernor will appoint Breaux's protege Congressman Chris John. John would then be able to run for Senate in 2004 with the advanatge of incumbency. If a dem doesn't win, then I don't know what will happen.

[ButterflyBlood]

11. John should

be able to beat anyone the GOP puts up against him, especially if he's the incumbent. Yeah, he's a DINO, but Breaux's not exactly a flaming liberal either.

[mndemocrat_29]

14. Chris John should be able to beat whomever the GOP comes up with

Probably David Vitter (that's what predictionists are saying).

Kathleen Blanco will be the next governor of Louisiana.

[jiacinto]

9. Blanco wins this race

period.

[davidinalameda]

10. you're absolutely right

Blanco wins

[ButterflyBlood]

12. Right now, I'm saying there's an 80% chance Blanco wins this one

She will definately make the run off, that's for the sure.

[Rowdyboy]

13. I'll go WAY out on a limb and say...

either Ieyoub or Leach will edge out Jindal to the run off with Blanco and either of them will beat her. Ieyoub has law enforcement and unions and Leach is running a liberal-populist campaign. Blanco is the conservative Dem in the race; I guess we'll know in November...

[goobergunch]

15. kick

:kick: