The results of the 5th District congressional race are in and the message has been sent loud and clear—surely loud enough to be heard in Baton Rouge.
With political newcomer Vance McAllister walloping State Sen. Neil Riser (R-Columbia), the heir-apparent to Rodney Alexander’s 5th District seat not by a comfortable but by an astounding and resounding 60-40 margin (an actual vote count of 54,449 to 36,837), the Louisiana Tea Party and Bobby Jindal have to be reeling and wondering what the hell happened. And Riser especially has to be feeling quite flummoxed and embarrassed at this juncture—particularly given the fact that he could muster only 3,800 more votes than he got in the Oct. 19 primary while McAllister pulled in an additional 36,000 votes, a margin of nearly 10-1 in the number of votes gained.
Actually, when you break it all down, there was more than one message sent in this election that Riser entered as the odds-on favorite to walk into office on the strength of the fast one that the Jindalites tried to pull off, not the least of which is that the Duck Dynasty’s political clout appeared to eclipse that of the governor (Gotta give credit where it’s due). Jindal clumsily overplayed his hand when he maneuvered Alexander into “retiring” halfway into this two-year term of office so that he could take a cushy state job as head of the Louisiana Office of Veterans Affairs at $130,000 per year, a job that stands to boost his state pension (he was a state legislator before being elected to Congress) from about $7,500 per year to something north of $80,000 per annum.
Then, as part of the bargain, Riser formally announced the day after Alexander’s announcement that he would seek the position and miracle of miracles, large—no huge—Riser campaign signs literally (as in the day after Riser’s announcement) appeared overnight in Ruston. Political pundits all over the state all but conceded the seat to Riser but then who would bet against him given the fact the job was all but handed to him on a platter? Or so it seemed at the time.
One message was that voters resent being taken for granted, considered a pesky afterthought as it were. Since when does the coronation precede the decision of the electorate in this country? As comic Ron White is fond of saying, you can’t fix stupid and assuming the job was his by Divine Right was stupid—even if that Divine Right was the coveted Jindal anointment.
A second lesson that should sink in on the fourth floor of the State Capitol: instead of flitting around the country like a hummingbird on crack, perhaps Jindal should stay home and do the job to which he was elected—you know, Bobby, that of governor, the job you said you wanted. Forget Iowa. Forget New Hampshire. Forget Faux News. Forget those op-eds for the Washington Post. Do your damned job. Don’t worry about Obama; my grandfather always told me, “If you do your job and quit worrying about the other fellow doing his, you’ll find your own path much easier to walk.” Being absent from the state the equivalent of two of the first 10 months of the year just doesn’t cut it when there is plenty to do right here.
And while Riser was wearing his “guns for felons” NRA mantle like the breastplate of righteousness (Isaiah 59:17), Vance McAllister had the guts look to look beyond that easy position and to say that Medicaid should be extended in Louisiana because of the 400,000 citizens of this state who have no health insurance. And, the message that was apparently lost on Jindal, Riser and the rest of the Tea partiers, is that not all of those are deadbeats; many of them are the working poor—those working but earning too little to afford health care.
And they vote.
A lesson that the remaining 143 members of the Louisiana Legislature might do well to ponder: Despite recent evidence to the contrary, Louisiana apparently is not for sale. When the light is shone on privatization, campaign contributions, health care, inept and unqualified appointees such as Superintendent of Education John White and general mismanagement of the state’s finances, people don’t like what they’re seeing.
As the count mounted Saturday night, two stars—that of Neil Riser’s hopes to move on to Washington and that of Jindal’s already fading aspirations of occupying the White House—were for all intents, snuffed out, obliterated, imploded like a supernova. Jindal, instead of being sought after by the right wing talking head zealots, should now be shunned given that he can’t even deliver votes for a congressional candidate (or for a Republican candidate for governor of Virginia).
Legislators need to take a long, hard look at Jindal’s record of late. It’s really not all that impressive. He has lost court case after court case over retirement reform, vouchers, budgetary matters and public records even as he paid a single attorney more than a million dollars to defend those dogs. The FBI is looking into contract irregularities between DHS and CNSI. He fires anyone who disagrees with him, including members of a levee board who wanted to hold oil companies accountable for the egregious coastal erosion so that he could protect big oil (but he can’t fire the local political leaders in Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes who followed with litigation of their own).
Those legislators would do well to understand that we the citizens of Louisiana are starting to take an interest in what goes on in Baton Rouge. Using campaign funds for such things as installment payments, gasoline and insurance on personal vehicles, paying for “campaign work” when there was no campaign, paying for roof repairs, purchasing LSU football tickets and pricey tabs in the Senate dining hall are perks not available to the great unwashed and we kind of resent that abuse. And make no mistake about it, it is abuse. You are not royalty; you work for us. Never forget that.
Accepting a hundred or so contributions from political action committees tends to drown out the voices of the school teacher, the retail store clerk, the truck driver, and hundreds of thousands of others who cannot afford to go up against those well-heeled corporate lobbyists who ply lawmakers with meals during the legislative session each year. It raises the question of just whom do you represent, the voters or the fat cats who pour money into your campaign so that they will have your ear when push comes to shove in Baton Rouge on key issues while the interests of those who elected you are ignored?
And finally, to Vance McAllister: Congratulations. Enjoy the moment because once you take office, you will be inside the Beltway and somehow that becomes intoxicating and those who go there with good intentions often fall victim to the lure of the siren song of power and influence.
Don’t let that happen because we will be watching and if you screw up, LouisianaVoice will treat you no differently than it treats any other crooked politician (I hate redundancy) who violates the public trust.
Perhaps it is fitting in this, the 100th anniversary of Sam Rayburn’s taking the oath of office in 1913 to begin his 48-year tenure in Congress, that we give McAllister the same advice Rayburn’s father gave him as he departed Texas for Washington following his first election:
Be a man.
Louisiana Voice 
BAM❢
Actually, it’s not such a great win – a Republikan (yes, with a k) still got elected. Louisiana needs a representation distribution that is less Republikan and more Democrat(ic).
Dick Hemmings
It was a great win in that it was a severe slap in Jindal’s face. What’s the expression? The enemy of my enemy is my friend?
Should add “today” to that 🙂 “The enemy of my enemy is my friend…today”
It was with shock and a bit of delight that I saw those election returns. I’m certain the guv, Riser and lil Timmeh are all asking “wha happened?” .
The Tea Partiers don’t always support Republican candidates. Many Tea Party members think of the establishment Republicans as the same Democrats – Progressives (modern Communists).
Sent from my iPad
Well spoken. Jindal is in the business for someone else. Time for him to step tp the plate and be a Governor. Time is up for the tea Party.
Time for Jindal to be gone. When he actually “governs,” Louisiana loses.
We lose jobs, tax revenue, services to the “least” of our people, decent education for our children, anything resembling good government uncorrupted by personal ambition and greed. All we get when Piyush governs is the ALEC agenda including manufactured budget crises designed to eliminate jobs and services.
Those who insist that government is the problem ARE the problem. Go home, BJ, wherever that is. Someplace far from Louisiana, wherever your hard heart is, because if he has a heart, it is NOT for Louisiana.
Congrats to Mr. McAllister.
And thank-you to my fellow citizens! 👊
I bet Rodney Alexander eyes were wide open when he saw the results last nite
kinda like the 60 Minutes interview
Hee hee hee!
[…] So, from my standpoint, the best thing about this is the total humiliation to Gov. Bobby Jindal; Did I mention he actually hornswaggled the current congressman to retire early? […]
I don’t have a dog in this hunt since I am living in Mississippi until I can sell my place and buy one there (retiring). It is refreshing to see some new blood moving into position. I, like you, hope he doesn’t crawl out on that leaf like some of the other lizards and turn green.
This is just the beginning of the cure for the Jin’dal herpes infecting many of our legislators. Great column Tom!!
I am so thankful for Louisiana voice for keeping us aware of all these “behind the scenes” activities. Our local papers are evading their responsibilities. YOU certainly got the word out! We appreciate it. And congratulations to Vance McAllister. We were excited to vote for a “new face” on the political scene.
I can’t help but wonder, after things taking this kind of turn, if Riser’s refusal to separate Tim and Jonathan Johnson from his campaign had anything to do with his failure to be elected? I wonder if Riser, or any other politician the Johnsons have or want to ride the pants legs of will see the folly in associating with them, considering that these two men played a crucial part in covering up decades of alleged pedophilia, child trafficking, rape and fraud perpetrated and allowed by the patriarch of their family?
Will any other La. politicians see the benefit now, rather than the risk, of EXPOSING the corruption within the state that is directly connected to sweeping pandemic institutional abuse of children under the rug?
I’m also wondering how Riser being knocked out of the saddle will affect the next election in Bienville Parish for Sheriff and DA? Especially considering Ballance’s denial to the independent press of any recent reports alleging aggravated rape being made against Tim Johnson’s fathers-in-law, the Rev. Mack W. Ford, as well as the DA’s office (asst. DA’s written words) stating that they are not an investigative agency and will not prompt an investigation?
I see things becoming quite interesting regarding these matters in the coming months.
At last enough people woke up and took action to make a difference. Although many others and I tend to lean heavily toward cynicism, this is encouraging. I am sick of hearing elected officials fervently spout, “My constituents don’t want this; the American people don’t want this…” about various things I personally favor. This election is clear evidence of what the people don’t want. Let’s keep it up. If people are informed they can see the need to make a difference and can make a difference. LouisianaVoice fills a significant void in this regard. Keep on keeping on, Tom.
I too am tired of hearing “the American people don’t want this”, when so many apparently do. I am so proud of the voters in the 5th district right now. I was very worried that they were not paying attention!
Thank u, the people of the 5th district, for beginning the healing process of dejindalizing our state from the grips of this little weasel L’il booby.
As Watts said “I don’t have a dog in this hunt” I live in NE. this however gives me hope that the tide is beginning to turn against the Tea Party Extremist which certainly describes Jindal.
This was an excellent article and I intend to share it widely.
Congratulations to Mr. McAllester and the people of Louisiana.
He may be a Republican but at least he sounds sane, here’s hoping he stays that way.
Thank you. More information keeps us aware.
Knowing how power plays a huge part in changes that take place when an individual is given such power, and knowing Mr. McAllister is a wealthy individual, I hope he does not only what is best for his district, but what is also best for the people of Louisiana. If that happens and the people see it happening, then there is no limit as to how high he can go. Wishing him and his district nothing but the best and wishing his best spreads throughout Louisiana, cause it has been a long time since someone puts others ahead of themselves and puts Louisiana ahead of their own desires! Good luck, pray that you make us all proud!!! We’ll be watching.
Congratulations to Vance McAllister, the people of the 5th, were paying attention, and found the circumstances surrounding the retirement of Rodney Alexander, his subsequent appointment by Jindal to a nice “cushy” job, that increased his retirement from a paltry $7,500, to a whopping $80,000 unpalatable.
I hope the trend will continue in 2014, and the 4th District can rid us of another T.Pub zealot, John C. Fleming..
God bless you for shining the light of truth on Louisiana’s crooked politicians, Mr. Aswell. I’m not a Republican but am a low-tiered civil service employee and can’t help but cry tears of relief at the outcome of this election, due in large part to your courage & tenacity in exposing the rampant corruption.
Thank you!
“And, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31.
Your admonishment to Jindal to “do your damned job” assumes Jindal knows what and how to do the job of governing the state. Jindal’s governmental approach can be best summed up as the “Dalek Approach.” You know, the Dalek’s, from the Dr. Who series on BBC, little robotic creatures that roll around repeating “terminate/terminate/terminate” or “assimilate/assimilate/assimilate.” Such has been Jindal’s approach to Louisiana. “Terminating” any and all services which in any way benefit Louisiana citizens in need, while “assimilating” as much financial and political support from the wealthy and wealthier segments of Louisiana.
[…] was more to this race than Obamacare, but that’s precisely the point: Even in a +23 Romney district, a Republican […]
[…] was more to this race than Obamacare, but that’s precisely the point: Even in a +23 Romney district, a Republican […]
As an apparently “moderate” Republican Vance McAllister – possily is next governor?
In a runoff without a Democrat in the field he will get majority of Demo and Independent vote – our next Governor in a landslide!!
Scott A. and all the Jindalistas need to be concerned! – Tea Party is insignificant!!!
Yes, the Tea Party is irrelevant but McAllister’s win was as much a rejection of Riser and Jindal as it was an embrace of McAllister.
Let’s not let ourselves become too enamored with him just yet. The Beltway has a way of turning decent people’s good intentions into greed and self-interest.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/17/1256192/-Republican-supports-Obamacare-Medicaid-expansion-wins-House-seat-In-Louisiana