As a political issue in the Louisiana governor's race, how important is e-cigarettes or vaping? What about the Louisiana budget and corporate taxes?

These three issues started the first televised statewide debate Thursday night as Democrat incumbent governor, John Bel Edwards clashed with two Republicans--Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone over these and other issues.

The debate was hosted by LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication and Nexstar Media Group TV stations, airing around the state on radio and television and online.

If there is anything to say about this Louisiana governor's race polls this year, they appear to be rather consistent compared to prior years in terms of the potential ceiling for Governor John Bel Edwards.  The surveys that I have seen have put Edwards close to "but no cigar" getting the necessary 50% plus one vote to avoid what would likely be a brutal contest runoff.

According to national political pundits, there is a revolution going on all over America. Voters are in a rebellion mode with little confidence in the political leadership at both the national and state levels. Being an incumbent politician is no longer a badge of honor. A poll released recently and sponsored by the Washington Post and ABC news finds that “72% of Americans believe that politicians cannot be trusted and two thirds think the country’s political system is dysfunctional.

In an interview today (approximately 3:36:30 mark) on the Ringside Politics radio show, M-F 7-11 a.m. CT WGSO 990-AM & www.Wgso.com, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise expressed his displeasure with the new attack ad launched by GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone against fellow Republican candidate, U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham. Scalise said “I don’t think Republicans should be attacking Republicans.”

On Monday, Rispone scorched Abraham in a commercial airing on statewide media markets. The ad hits Abraham for missing too many votes in Congress and not following through on a commitment to donate his congressional salary. It also claims that Abraham used his congressional salary to purchase a $500,000 airplane. In addition, the commercial ties Abraham to Nancy Pelosi, noting that they have voted together 300 times, and mentions that he backed away from President Trump after the “Access Hollywood” recording was released.

Last Tuesday, Leonard Preston, a criminal with a long history of offenses, terrorized a woman inside her own home in the Lower Garden District. Preston committed a home invasion in the 1200 block of St. Andrew Street.

Fortunately, she was not killed, but as he rifled through her belongings, Preston traumatized the frightened homeowner. The next day he was arrested as police discovered the victim’s stolen cell phone in Preston’s possession.

Louisiana is the only state in the South and the most conservative state in the nation with a Democrat Governor. Donald Trump earned 58% of the vote in Louisiana in 2016 and there is a decent chance that a Governor who supported Hillary Clinton will be re-elected on October 12 without being forced into a run-off.

Governor John Bel Edwards is a Democrat with conservative views on social issues such as gun rights and abortion. However, he also has liberal fiscal policies. Nonetheless, he is is in a comfortable lead in the homestretch of the race.

I’m confused.  Perhaps  somebody can explain the commercial to me.

Last night, I saw for the first time, a Ralph Abraham campaign commercial that said something I found both shocking and curious.  According to Abraham, as he looks directly and sincerely at the video cameras, the rigs are employing no one and current Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is to be blamed.

When qualifications for elections in Louisiana concluded recently, only two of the seven statewide officials are facing major and well-funded opposition.  Incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards faces eight challengers including five republicans. But only two GOP candidates are considered serious; Congressman Ralph Abraham from Northeast Louisiana and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone.

It is never easy to defeat an incumbent Governor of Louisiana. Our Governors are very powerful with access to plenty of statewide appointments, ever present publicity opportunities and enormous amounts of funds from the state budget.

Not surprisingly, the last time an incumbent lost the race was in 1991 when then Governor Buddy Roemer failed to make the runoff. Of course, that was the infamous election between Edwin Edwards and David Duke.

A year and a half ago, according to a Bernie Pinsonat--Southern Media Opinion Research poll, John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, polled at a whopping 65 percent. Today, Pinsonat believes Edwards polls in the low 50’s.

Edwards is up for re-election against major candidates such as Congressman Ralph Abraham and multi-millionaire Eddie Rispone.

So, what gives? The Louisiana budget crises, for now, is a thing of the past. The last legislative session this spring was boring, meaning, it was successful. A storm just slammed Louisiana which emergencies normally help a governor show leadership during a crises. So, why would there be a drop of perhaps fifteen percent since last year?