July 4th has come and gone.
Which means here in Louisiana, during statewide elections year, it’s time to put away the hotdogs and apple pie and roll out the political signs. After all, the governor’s race is heating up as the hot “dog days of summer “ wear on.
On Monday, the current inhabitant of the mansion, Governor John Bel Edwards unleashed his first campaign TV ad. While his political foe is one very successful Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone and one powerful Congressman, Ralph Abraham, at least for now, neither are directly the ad target. That honor goes to—you guessed it—none other than former Louisiana Governor and past-GOP rising star, Bobby Jindal.
Here’s what we learned from the first democratic presidential debate last week. Do not fraternize with those you disagree with and never refer to a fellow politician as son, boy or anything similar. It’s just not “politically correct.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden was roasted for talking about trying to find common ground with conservative southern senators when he served in the U.S. Senate. “At least there was some civility” Biden said about working with segregationists like former Mississippi Senator James Eastland. He should not have been so “civil” says a number of other democratic candidates.
I don’t know about you, but I sure am confused about all this current debate over gender equity, gay rights, and transgenders. I keep reading in the newspaper about LGBT. I had to look up the lettering to even know what the abbreviation means. Being “politically correct” has become an obsession with much of the country as well as right here at home in Louisiana.
Psst… Wake up.
Don’t tell anyone, but we’ve got a "red-hot" statewide election here in Louisiana in just a few months. In fact, all Louisiana legislators are up for either re-election or are vacating their seats due to terms-limits. There might be a legislator here or there just throwing in the towel even before their time expires.
Ok, stop your yawning. You're not interested, you say?
Well, positions such as Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner are all up for grabs. Oh, did I not mention, the big kahuna of all, the top spot, Louisiana Governor? This is currently held by Democrat John Bel Edwards. No doubt, replacing him is top on the agenda for the Louisiana Republican Party.
Sorry, was that a "ho-hum" or "hum-dinger"?
Oh, I see. Well, does anybody know? Does anybody care?
Well, if you’re running for office, absolutely. But, if you’re Mr. or Ms. Average Voter, maybe not.
So, it's Bayoubuzz Louisiana E-Mail bag time. 'Tis the latest electronic missive, this one, received today, sent by the Louisiana Republican Party.
Dear Louisiana voters,
You're not doing so well after all.
Signed,
LAGOP
The Louisiana State Republican Party is doing what all political parties do at this stage of the election campaign. When more than one candidate runs under the party banner against the incumbent from the other party, the challenging party strikes deep and often. The usual party mission? Not so impossible--send out daily emails, criticizing the incumbent. In this case, the Republicans are taking on Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, who happens to be defending his seat against two rather unknown political personalities. One is Congressman Dr. Ralph Abraham, a conservative from North Louisiana and the other, Eddie Rispone, a Baton Rouge businessman.
Today's daily missive has takes aim at Edwards by using just-released compative statistics as its weapon of choice. The issue? State unemployment, slow population growth, departure of the best and brightest and weakness in the civilian workforce.
Here is today's e-political scorcher, hot off the press:
While it's not yet quite the time to talk Louisiana elections, at least until qualification week, here's an idea--let's talk Louisiana elections and politics.
For starts, here are items hitting the Bayoubuzz email box over the past two days. To get the conversation going. perhaps the ultimate question to ask right now is, which party is best suited to take home the marbles this fall, Democrats or Republicans? Pollster John Couvillon shares his views in a post from his website.
One of those people seeking a legislatie seat hails from House Seat 79th in Jefferson Parish. Attorney and civic activist, Debra Villio, seeks a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Now, this is one of the issues that we might not hear much about this upcoming election--global warming. A candidate for Statewide seat wants to know, why not?
The state of Louisiana is one of the most unique places in the world. We live in a state with tremendous history, architecture and culture. We are blessed with the Mississippi River, countless bayous and waterways and bountiful natural resources which allow our state to earn the title of “sportsman’s paradise.”
I have a sad announcement to make. Politics is just no fun anymore in Louisiana.
Reams of books have been written about the colorful characters that ran the Bayou state throughout its history. And the average citizen got involved, attended rallies and actively supported their candidate of choice. Few states could match the intensity and enthusiasm that was a part of Louisiana campaigning. The state’s two favorite pastimes were LSU football and Politics.
by Tom Aswell, publisher of Louisiana Voice
The news release by last September said that former Gov. Bobby Jindal had been appointed to the board of directors of by Wellcare Health Plans, Inc., of Tampa, Florida.
Yawn. Ho-hum. Has LouisianaVoice become so desperate for stories that it resurrects a nine-month-old news release?
Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about the 2019 legislative season was the lack of extraordinary sessions. For the first year since the governor and current legislators were elected in 2015, we had no special session. Whether the reason was fatigue or election politics, our leaders in the Capitol determined that seven special sessions over the previous three years was enough. One major factor - and the most important characteristic of this session - was the existence of a more stable budget outlook based on a sales tax revenue stream established last year after much political wrangling. The 2019 session was the least contentious fiscal debate since the post-Katrina era. There were no mid-year budget cuts to adjust around, no drawdowns on the state rainy day fund and no obvious short-term gimmicks to prop the budget. The main theme was which programs to expand, not which to cut.
Huey Long would have been right in the middle of the current presidential election if he were still alive. He began a legacy of a long list of Louisiana politicians who had national aspirations. Later governors John McKeithen, Edwin Edwards, Buddy Roemer and Bobby Jindal all fell by the wayside in the quest for national office.
Louisiana’s business voice, LABI, as well as the Louisiana Insurance Department each took a huge hit in the waning days of the recent legislative session. LABI, with the full support of Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, pegged legislation to supposedly reduce insurance rates in the state as the most important proposed legislation of the session.
With election day down the track, less than a half-year away, what’s Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards going to do?
Attorney General Jeff Landry has achieved a significant win in the ongoing three and half-year battle between the Democrat Edwards and the Republican Attorney General.
With less than six months remaining until voters go to the polls to re-elect Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards or pick his replacement, there is no question the two Republican candidates have not made much inroads, although, it is still early.
Yet, in hoping to rebound, perhaps, the Republican Party seems to be looking for a bounce of some type, in this case, the growing query involves the Democrat Governor Edwards and the LSU basketball team.