Louisiana Voice

Posted in Bundling, Campaign Contributions, Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Finances, Governor's Office, Health Care, Higher Education, Legislators, OGB, Office of Group Benefits, PACs, Politicians, Senate, Taxes | 18 Comments

18 Responses

1. on April 9, 2015 at 2:28 am | Reply Robert Burns

   Well, having seen how quickly Garret Graves could go from people not having a clue he was even a candidate to, three weeks later, the average voter being under the impression he was the ONLY Republican in the race, there’s no denying that money can have a huge influence in an election’s outcome.

   I also agree that Bobby Jindal’s massive war chest at 1/1/11 (10 months prior to the election) scared off ALL prospective challengers, and the result has been disaster.

   With all that in mind, and I know many readers aren’t going to like what I’m about to write, but I think it’s just simply reality. David Vitter is going to win the governor’s race by a wide margin, and given the utterly dismal numbers for Dardenne in terms of fundraising, I now have to question if he can even pull enough votes to keep Vitter from winning without the need for a runoff.

   Having said that, I am an optimist and, again, I know many won’t like what I’m about to write, but Vitter has made many of his colleagues in Washington furious at him for his in-your-face style. A perfect example is his attempt to force his colleagues to have to enroll in a health policy provided through healthcare.gov and give up their Federal health insurance. I am optimistic that Louisiana will have a bright future under a Vitter administration, and I’ll take a moment to explain why.

   Here’s the bottom line: No matter who we elect as governor, we’re taking a gamble. Radical changes are going to have to be made to the way this state operates state government to reflect today’s competitive economic environment. The Koch Brothers are, in my humble opinion, not nearly as bad as they are portrayed which is largely a function of their wealth. They have strong Libertarian leanings on fiscal policies, and they are on record as being strongly in favor of abolishing low-earning occupational license boards and commissions. THAT is my key issue in this campaign, and because those who benefit from these boards and commissions remaining in place will be very vocal and oppose abolition of their turf with resolve and vigor, it’s going to take an “in-your-face” type of leader to accomplish that objective. Therefore, funds flow notwithstanding, Vitter has my vote. Like I said, it’s a gamble with any candidate, but I believe he provides the best odds. I also think his election is inevitable and that, beginning Monday, he will effectively already be governor but obviously subject to Jindal’s veto pen.

   I know my forecast is displeasing to many readers as is my support of Vitter for the reasons I’ve expressed. Nevertheless, I appreciate Tom providing this forum that we may all have the ability to state our positions and why we have them irrespective of their popularity or, in my case on this election, the lack thereof.

   
   
   • on April 9, 2015 at 8:43 am | Reply Stephen Winham

     The fact your point is well made shows the extreme limitations of our options. My current choice is different from yours for different reasons, but the fact NONE of the candidates have even acknowledged the possibility of a rational solution to the budget issue is deeply disturbing.

     So far, the only commercials I’ve seen, Mr. Angelle’s, have been filled with the same old meaningless platitudes we have always gotten and there is no reason to expect anything different from the other candidates. Oh, some will rail against current practices, but who will offer concrete solutions? My money is on NOBODY. We are in a sad shape.

     
     
     • on April 9, 2015 at 9:27 am Robert Burns

       I think you make a very astute observation, Stephen, and if last Tuesday’s forum was any guide, this is going to be a really boring race. That forum was one of the most boring political forums/debates I’ve ever been to. The only good thing that came from it was that Ruffino’s served an excellent pot roast!

       
       
   • on April 9, 2015 at 9:54 am | Reply Veritas

     I understand your pragmatism and your realistic take on the situation, but, man, is it depressing! These are dark days in our state and in our republic.

     Citizens United, the love of guns, the hatred of immigrants and bigotry of all stripes, the denial of science and the consequential damaging the planet we live on, trigger-happy neocon idiots…this could be the beginning of the unravelling of the republic or more. Vitter is on the wrong side of just about everything.

     
     
2. on April 9, 2015 at 7:01 am | Reply charmaine mceachern

   I have never supported Jindal, or Vitter, and wont start now, however, I think Vitter will be the next governor, and maybe it couldn’t happen to a nicer fellow[tongue in cheek] maybe he can unravel the mess that Jindal, and a very complicit legislature created. I am an angry voter, Louisiana, should not be at the bottom of the good list, and top of the bad, our public schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, environment, etc, shamefully neglected. This voter will be trying to listen closely for the candidate who will address, all of our concerns with honest reality, and have the courage to utter the word “taxes” its time for the Corporations who are dodging taxes to pay up!!!!!! I, hope the smearing is kept to a minimum, as that is an indication to me that said candidate, has NO solutions.

   
   
3. on April 9, 2015 at 8:08 am | Reply Sidwit

   Angelle was in Blanco’s administration also. It seems that everyone wants to glue him to the Jindal anchor.

   
   
   • on April 10, 2015 at 11:55 am | Reply Tom Aswell

     He may have been a Blanco holdover, but Jindal and Angelle have long been joined at the hip. It was Jindal who named him as his legislative liaison (a position now held by Troy Hebert, by the way). It was Jindal who named Angelle as interim Lt. Gov. when Mitch Landrieu was elected mayor of New Orleans. Jindal also appointed Angelle to the LSU Board of Supervisors. It’s almost enough to rekindle nightmares of Gov. Foster’s appointment of Jindal as head of DHH and then as Commissioner of Higher Education.

     The two appear pretty cozy. It seems to me that the term “Jindal anchor” pretty much describes Mr. Angelle, Gov. Blanco’s friendship notwithstanding.

     What more evidence do you need?

     
     
     • on April 10, 2015 at 8:12 pm Robert Burns

       Agree totally, and I honestly don’t see Angelle breaking double-digits in the primary. The shocking thing about the fundraising that you’ve reported on in this post, Tom, is the abysmal numbers for Dardenne. I have always assumed that the order of finish on the evening of the primary would be 1) Vitter, 2) Edwards, 3) Dardenne, and 4) Angelle. Until seeing this report, I was operating under the assumption that Dardenne would get at least around 15-20% support, thus forcing a runoff between Vitter and Edwards. If he can’t manage that, however, it’s not out of the question for Vitter to win outright in the primary.

       In my opinion, Dardenne is DESPERATELY in need for another Democrat to enter the race. He needs to get the Edwards vote divided up and hope like heck he can squeak by the highest-vote-getting Democrat and back his way into a runoff with Vitter. Under that scenario, I think there is sufficient anti-Vitter sentiment that Dardenne just may luck up and pull it off (under the theory that Edwards support and that of other Democrats may likely lean more heavily to Dardenne than Vitter).

       If Edwards remains as the sole Democrat in the race; however, I think Dardenne is in serious, serious trouble! It’s funny how, given Louisiana’s unique “jungle” primary system, a Republican has to cross his fingers and hope another Democrat may enter the race to give him an outside shot at winning, huh?

       Anyway, if no other Democrat enters, I predict a possible outright Vitter victory in the primary (based on Dardenne’s horrendously-poor showing of fundraising in the first quarter) but, if not, a Vitter-Edwards runoff, the result of which I believe will be along the lines of 61-39, Vitter. Considering how little name recognition Edwards had before entering the race and his own difficulty of raising funds (relative to Vitter) and given that he’s going up against a well-known, two-term incumbent U. S. Senator, 39% will be noting whatsoever to be ashamed of.

       
       
     • on April 11, 2015 at 11:31 am Sidwit

       I’ve heard him speak several times and never once did I see visions of the always absent part time governor. Not saying he is the best candidate, just saying we ought to give him a fair shake to see if he is a public servant or a Jindal hack. Guilt by association will probably hurt his chances. I’m waiting on a debate where I can see them all and listen to them all before picking one. Since Jindal has apparently abdicated his governors office, can we hold a special election to replace him sooner than the upcoming election?

       
       
4. on April 9, 2015 at 8:56 am | Reply Greg Foreman

   Please forgive my “Anallese” but the convertible is a Cadillac not a Lincoln.

   
   
   • on April 9, 2015 at 4:09 pm | Reply Tom Aswell

     Upon closer examination of the grille, you appear to be correct. My mistake. Thanks for the enlightenment.

     
     
5. on April 9, 2015 at 9:06 am | Reply R P

   “Libertarian” seems to be the flavor of choice for a lot of conservatives these days, and I can understand the appeal of the theme. On the other hand, I find myself very wary of the concept in that I know, we all know, that human nature is to look out for one’s own self first and foremost and above all and often without the slightest care for other person. Laws and rules and policies are a necessary fact of life for a civilized society and the absence of such has often engendered—and still does engender—lots and lots of problems and especially disparities of income. For instance, maybe not all owners of businesses are greedy jerks, but nonetheless, without regulations, what’s the chance that we would have safe working conditions for workers and fair treatment in other regards? It was pointed out elsewhere how businesses in these days of declining union membership and union clout have been able to instigate significant changes in worker pension practices, with of course, ownership pulling in a larger share of the pie (and incomes in general have been essentially stagnant nationwide for more than a decade or even two decades while the average CEO is pulling in higher and higher multiples of what the average worker makes).

   
   
   • on April 9, 2015 at 4:27 pm | Reply Robert Burns

     Hi R. P. You make great points, and I don’t want anyone to get the impression that I’m part of the “whacko” element of the Libertarian Party (and, yes, that element exists) advocating anarchy. I fully support federal regulation of safe work environments and inspections thereof to minimize the chance of injury to workers and/or harm to the public. I also don’t want anyone to think that don’t believe in licensure for some professional fields. I would never pose the argument that doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, pilots, and other such professionals should not be licensed.

     Also, I know for certain that many boards and commissions actually are in place for the purpose of TRULY protecting the public, and they accomplish that goal. Examples include the Louisiana Real Estate Commission and the State Board of CPAs of Louisiana. The R/E Commission takes its mission seriously, and if any licensee thinks they don’t, just try having an offer on a property that isn’t presented to the seller in quick fashion, and watch how they handle the situation!

     Regarding the R/E Commission, I know it takes its consumer-protection responsibilities seriously because I filed a complaint on that very issue of not presenting an offer timely to the seller. It turned out the agent to whom I submitted the offer (I was buying agent on the transaction) was not even licensed for over a year!. Now, that agent worked for a VERY large Baton Rouge R/E brokerage, so I figured they’d find a way to sweep it under the rug (too accustomed to how the Auctioneer Board would handle things I guess).

     Well, not only did they NOT sweep it under the rug, they fined the sponsoring broker (that’s who’s responsible for ensuring all agents under his/her brokerage license is indeed licensed) $3,000! I was shocked, but it demonstrated they take their responsibilities to the public seriously. The agent with no license was trying to keep all of the commission “in house,” and that’s why he wasn’t presenting my client’s offer. Ironically, I got the $4,200 buying agent commission AND he got fined $3,000 as well for not having his license like he should have and failing to present my client’s offer timely.

     What I’m referencing is the utterly useless licensing boards and commissions which not only do NOT protect the public but, in reality, serve as a FASE security blanket to the public when, in reality, they are out to protect NOBODY but the licensees of the profession. They are, in effect, de facto trade unions with compulsory membership in an supposed “right to work” state!

     Louisiana ranks #1 with this problem: https://youtu.be/Jr8qHv4hCVw. Not only do these entities serve as job killers, but they also covertly engage in discrimination! It’s a problem that this state has GOT to get remedied if it expects to encourage career mobility in which folk who practice these areas in an unlicensed state can and will want to relocate here, especially when a spouse gets a lucrative job offer from a major company with Louisiana operations.

     The problem has been ignored for WAY, WAY too long, and Jindal has been a MAJOR disappointment in that regard. It’s ironic he would destroy so many public sector jobs that seemed to be working fine (OGB, hospitals, etc.) but yet this OBVIOUS problem of state government continue unabated. Of the four candidates, I feel Vitter represents the best chance for a remedy, so I’m going with him but, also as I said, it’s a gamble no matter who we choose. Jindal is leaving behind that much of a mess!

     
     
     • on April 9, 2015 at 7:14 pm R P

       I, and I believe most others, also, would be pretty surprised to see a Vitter administration turn out to be anything other than standard-variety 21st century conservative “de-regulate, cut government, cut taxes, fight unions (as if those things have never been done or tried before anywhere)” Republican in the same exact vein as so very many of these Republican gubernatorial administrations around the country. Now perhaps Louisianians need to have a conservative Republican be the one to do it, but what this state needs first and foremost is a governor who will SELL to the public that there needs to be some version of the Stelly revenue plan re-instated and also will SELL to the public that not only must the budget-cutting of higher education come to a stop but also that the funding that the Jindal administration has continually cut has to be RESTORED (I see this as an absolute vital necessity in order for Louisiana to be even remotely competitive). While at the same time lead a program of vigorous reform of higher education, as that is also vitally necessary. Reform of boards and commissions is certainly important, however, what I have mentioned, along with addressing infrastructure improvements, is what I see as the very most important issues facing the state. Perhaps we need a conservative Republican do it, but someone has got to stand up and tell the people of the state that “no, even as a conservative Republican, I’m telling you that we in fact are NOT suffering from excessive taxation and excessive regulation and evil, terrible unions here.” Does David Vitter have any willingness and also the courage to do that? Highly, highly doubtful. If anything, what David Vitter is is what I would call a country-club Republican (who used to have, before his personal misdeeds became a story, some tendencies to moralize and pander to the Religious Right crowd) looking to represent the upper class and upper middle-class. Is it possible for such a person to be truly bold with reforms and also deliver on things that benefit not just the well-off classes but the working classes, as well (to me, many conservatives like to talk about “reform” but never with an intention to actually deliver on real reform outside of something “just around the edges,” since if they were to do the good old boys would lose its advantage)?

       
       
6. on April 10, 2015 at 10:49 am | Reply charles bowman

   I remember Butch Baum’s 5 million $$$ sign campaign where he failed to even get what office he intended to run for on the sign. I believe that Vitter has somewhat the same problem. At least he knows what office he running for but his problem is that he doesn’t know why he’s running for that office and it could be a problem if the other candidates force him to elucidate. Vitter has never run against a well know, well funded candidate enroute to his Senatorial victories. Will his money be any better than Baum’s wasn’t? Do the people of Louisiana really believe that this controversial candidate is really a governor? There are a lot of questions still out there for anyone to start declaring victory, and I believe that those questions likely will not be answered and will be very important to the progress of this campaign.

   
   
   • on April 10, 2015 at 11:33 am | Reply Robert Burns

     Ah, yes, who can forget Butch Baum? I remember him vividly, but only because of his controversial “financial products” and associated debt with Capital Bank (my first job out of college). I don’t believe his campaign expenditures remotely approached $5 million (equivalent to about $17 million in today’s dollars). He also had zilch in the way of name recognition outside of Baton Rouge, and certainly not on a par with a sitting U. S. Senator who has also served as a U. S. Representative and a Louisiana State Representative.

     Money’s not everything or else Meg Whitman would have become Governor of California with the $144 million of her own money she spent in the 2010 CA governor’s race. Also, upsets happen. Miami of Ohio defeated LSU in Tiger Stadium when LSU was ranked fifth in the nation right around the timeframe of the Butch Baum run. Only problem for Vitter foes is that those upsets tend to be few and far between, but sometimes the stars line up and it happens.

     
     
7. on April 10, 2015 at 12:19 pm | Reply Greg Foreman

   Yes, “large money” trying to buy elections is offensive. However, what is equally offensive is the lack of voter participation. In 2011’s gubernatorial election, more than 64% of registered voters didn’t bother to get off their collective rears and vote. Yes, Jindal was elected by a 66% margin of those voting. What was not widely reported was the level of voter participation was less than 36%. Running the numbers, one discovers that of the 2.80 million registered voters in Louisiana, only 1.008 million voted. Of the 1.008 million voting, 665,280 elected Jindal. So, essentially, Jindal was reelected by less than 24% of Louisiana registered voters. The only factor more pathetic than voter turnout are the companies and political packs “donating” money to “spin campaigns” in favor of their “hand picked spin candidates” when those “targeted” voters would have voted for their “spin candidates” anyway. I think maybe Jed Clampett said it best, ‘there just ain’t no fixing stupid’.

   
   
   • on April 10, 2015 at 9:04 pm | Reply Tom Aswell

     Did Jed Clampett, aka Buddy Ebsen, say that? Or was it stand up comic Ron White? I know White uses that line in his act.

     
     

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