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LA-Gov: It's Official, Blanco's Out

by: James L.

Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 7:38 PM EDT

From the Associated Press:

Gov. Kathleen Blanco, whose popularity plummeted after two hurricanes devastated Louisiana during her first term, will not seek re-election, according to a letter written by Blanco and obtained by The Associated Press.
"Today, I am announcing that, after much thought and prayer, I have decided not to seek re-election as your governor," Blanco said in the letter, which was provided by a source in the Democratic Party on condition of anonymity.
Elected Louisiana's first female governor in 2003, Blanco, a Democrat from the state's Cajun country, had already drawn a half-dozen challengers for this fall's election - including popular Republican U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, whom she defeated the last time with 52 percent of the vote. Former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, a popular Democrat, has said he will decide soon whether to enter the race.

With Blanco out and John Breaux presumably announcing his candidacy within the next few days, at the very least, Louisiana Democrats are buying an extra inning to hold on to the state. At best, Breaux's entry will be exactly what's needed to throw a monkey wrench in hard-right Republican Rep. Bobby Jindal's longtime gubernatorial ambitions. Expect a lot of mud to be hurled at Breaux about how he's "gone Washington" and lived out of state for a couple of years. It won't be easy, but I think we can all agree that Breaux's chances, even with one hand tied behind his back due to his residency issues, are a heck of a lot better than those of a damaged Kathleen Blanco.

And another note: whomever ends up as the Democratic nominee in the Kentucky gubernatorial race should be grateful that major Republican resources will have to be split with at least one other state during the 2007 elections.

Race Tracker: LA-Gov

James L. :: LA-Gov: It's Official, Blanco's Out

Tags: 2007 Elections, LA-Gov, (All Tags)

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LA-Gov: It's Official, Blanco's Out | 24 comments

Buying an extra inning ...

If Louisiana Democrats wanted to do more than just buy another inning, they'd select Foster Campbell as their nominee. He's got a plan that would eliminate the state income tax, and STILL bring in more money than the income tax ever did.

Breaux will engender negative attacks all season long. He'll be labeled a scalwag, a carpetbagger, etc.

by: Ryan @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 18:47:03 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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And so will Jindal,

who moved to Kenner to run for Vitter's House seat. It will be what Louisiana politics should always be: a slugfest.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 19:39:55 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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Oh, come on louisianagirl!

I wanted you to tell me how much you loathe Bobby Jindal, not just where I can find some info on him!

by: texas dem @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 19:54:11 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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Polls...

I would not be surprised to see Breaux leading when the first polls are out. He will be a very strong candidate.

BlueSunbelt.Com Netroots for the Sunbelt states robwire.com My personal blog

by: rob @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 19:43:14 PM CDT

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How will Blanco's exit and Breaux's entry affect Landrieu '08?

I see four possible outcomes:

1) Breaux wins and re-affirms the standing of Democrats in Louisiana; boosts Mary Landrieu's re-election bid in 2008, whether or not Jindal, now a two-time gubernatorial loser, challenges her.
2) Breaux narrowly wins, but Jindal remains popular in a narrow defeat and goes on to victoriously challenge Landrieu.
3) Jindal wins, but it doesn't have an impact on Landrieu's re-election bid as she goes on to defeat a lesser opponent.
4) Jindal wins and further improves the standing of Republicans in Louisiana, boosting a GOP opponent against Landrieu.

I'm rooting for option #1.

P.S. I gotta believe that the Louisiana Democratic Party's lawyers are certain that the flap over Breaux's residency will be settled in short order, or they wouldn't have proceeded with such a gambit.

Check out the Guru's blog at http://www.senateguru.com

by: senate2008guru @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 21:32:58 PM CDT

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From what I hear...

Is that the residency isn't much of a legal problem, so much as a political one. The GOP will challenge it in court, yes, but state "citizenship" is a broader category than residency issues and Breaux will likely be OK. It's the bad press that it generates that's more of a concern.

by: James L. @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 21:39:29 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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Right

but attack ads can highlight how Jindal moved to Kenner from Shreveport in order to run for Vitter's House seat.

By the way, thank you for your diary. I am sure you noticed I tried to alert everyone here about Blanco's withdrawl early this afternoon. Kos and MyDD posted their diaries as a a result of my emails.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 21:41:37 PM CDT

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Well...

I don't see how that's as much of an issue in a Gubernatorial race as it is in a House race. I don't think calling Jindal a carpetbagger will stick, in other words.

And thanks for breaking this story--I would've had a diary up earlier, too, but I was in caught up in my Economics class during the afternoon. :)

by: James L. @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 21:44:05 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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But he did in nonetheless

and many in Louisiana still remember him as the man who moved from Shreveport to Kenner to run for an office. Believe me, it can be cut into an ad. Even Republicans in Jeffferson Parish are mad about this, as it was their turn to run for that seat.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 21:45:56 PM CDT

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the Secretary of State,

a Republican, already told Breaux he IS a citizen of Louisiana.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 21:42:16 PM CDT

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Do you...

...have a link for that?

by: James L. @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 21:44:30 PM CDT

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No, but

i know i read it somewhere. and many have repeated this to me.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 22:00:57 PM CDT

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i am trying to remember

where i read this. and i cannot find it in a google search. but i know it would not surface in an AP story. It was a local newspaper, perhaps Acadiana Now. Sorry, I cannot find the link. But it was said, and it is commonly known.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 22:11:18 PM CDT

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Thanks for trying.

If you do see it in a newspaper again, please post about it here or email me; I'd be curious to see it.

by: James L. @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 22:12:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

okay

although i wonder if i should be offended. no, i am not one to spread false information.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 22:14:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You shouldn't be offended

Sorry if you thought I was trying to imply something. Far from it--it's just that if I were to use that information in a blog post, it'd helpful to have a link that people can view.

by: James L. @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 22:20:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I know

I am frustrated

But read the response of Sen. Vitter (R) and state Rep. Tucker (R) in this compilation of quotations from politicians on Blanco's announcement. These men are disgusting:

http://www.wwltv.com...

"This certainly doesn't change my strong support for Bobby Jindal for governor that I announced some time ago. I'm excited about Bobby because of the positive change he's for, not who he's running against. I really think he's the conservative reformer we need in Baton Rouge."

-- U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La.

"Governor Blanco's announcement earlier this evening that she is withdrawing from the Governor's race drastically changes the dynamics of the upcoming legislative session. Operating as a lame duck Governor will undoubtedly weaken the position of her supporters who wish to spend all of the State's surplus ... The delegation understands this was a difficult decision for the Governor and wishes her and her family the best in future endeavors."

-- The Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation, led by Rep. Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, and Sen. Tom Schedler, R-Mandeville.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 22:24:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

He will not run against

Landrieu. I can guarantee such a scenario will never arise.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 21:39:51 PM CDT

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Breaux, Landrieu, Jindal

I'm inclined to agree. A lot of Jindal's strength is that he seems like a real comer, a hotshot on his way up. If he beats Breaux, of course he wont run, but even if he loses, I think running against Landrieu is too big a risk for him.

A lost Senate race just a year after his second gubernatorial loss would damage his brand; he's certainly young enough to keep his powder dry and hold his safe House seat, waiting for another shot at the Governorship.

Landrieu can probably hold her own against most other GOPers in the state, especially if Breaux makes it a point to have her visibly part of his campaign.

by: Seth D @ Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 09:38:32 AM CDT

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Honestly...

Are they going to try and convince the people of Louisiana that someone they elected to the United States Senate multiple times, and someone who's last name is "Breaux," is a "carpetbagger?" Should be an easy charge for Breaux to counter.

by: DaveSund @ Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 23:18:10 PM CDT

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polling?

Is there polling out already on a Breaux/Jindal race? I don't doubt Breaux's popularity (though he hasn't really faced a competitive opponent in over 20 years), but it would be good to know where things stand at the moment.

by: armand @ Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 09:31:25 AM CDT

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One poller

claims Jindal is strong against Breaux, but he refused to release the numbers.

http://www.nola.com/...

Read the last paragraph on the second page of the article. I imagine the pollster will not release the numbers, as Breaux handily beats Jindal: hence the negative ads already airing against Breaux in Louisiana.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by: louisianagirl @ Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 11:55:12 AM CDT

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Poll numbers...

If the poll numbers were good they would release them as Jindal did in his various polls.

BlueSunbelt.Com Netroots for the Sunbelt states robwire.com My personal blog

by: rob @ Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 12:37:15 PM CDT

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I hope Breaux makes it

I'm a Republican. I support Jindal as if he were family. Now, before you start throwing tomatoes at me, I also hope that Breaux runs against him.

Breaux is a ver conservative and respected Democrat. Breaux might well be able to cut through Washington red-tape better than almost anyone else. And that is something LA needs now. However, Jindal is much more intelligent and has the vision to fix LA's problems.

I'm just so glad that Blanco bowed out. Regardless of who wins, the race will be about what can be done in the future, not what happened in the past.

You asked about the poll showing Jindal winning - here it is. I'm not sure I believe it, as I'm sure that Breaux will have a much better showing. Professionally, I will surely be meeting with him to discuss issues relevant to my industry. I expect that meeting will decide my vote. I've already met with Jindal numerous times (hence my bias towards him at this point).

----------
In a poll taken by noted political analyst, Bernie Pinsonat, Rep. Bobby Jindal beats lobbyist John Breaux by 30 points. The relevant section is as follows and a link to the full article written by Chris Tidmore is below:

"Pollsters, like Bernie Pinsonat of Southern Media & Opinion Research, tell thenew995fm.com that the latest polls show that former U.S. Senator John Breaux would be `a significant underdog' in a race against Republican Congressman Bobby Jindal. Pinsonat says the latest survey shows Jindal leading Breaux by nearly 30%, with 55% of those polled favoring Jindal and 25.6% supporting Breaux. The pollster says `not a lot of people could name anything he (Breaux) has done for Louisiana recently.'"

by: 00 Trans Ram @ Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 11:22:20 AM CDT

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LA-Gov: It's Official, Blanco's Out | 24 comments