LA-GOV: Wrap-up about Governor Jindal's Performance
The Slightly Less Important Implications of Gov. Jindal's Victory
By Adam C Posted in 2008 — Comments (3) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
First, Governor Jindal (I love the sound of that) will be relinquishing his House seat in LA-01. This is a Bush/Kerry 70-29 district and is the most Republican Louisiana district. Nevertheless, Rs should pay attention to the primary. And people are already jockeying for position.
Second, Governor Jindal (still love the sound of that) is the first Indian-American Governor in the history of the United States. Republicans don't bring this up as much as Democrats would because Republicans put more emphasis on merit and colorblindness. However, for many Americans and especially younger voters, this type of historical moment is important and forward-looking. As the country becomes more diverse, so will the nation's higher offices. Governor Jindal is an example of what hard work, personal responsibility, and merit can achieve in America. Hopefully his life story will be an inspiration for many people in the years to come regardless of political persuasion.
And although petty, I feel the need to point out that a state that is maligned as having "race problems" by the coastal elites due to its history and the fact that it is in the South has put an unmistakable vow of confidence in Governor Jindal. America has come a long way and those who resist a colorblind America are holding us back from continuing toward a nation that would not need to note that Bobby is a "first" and would acknowledge his successes and merits alone.
Third, although I cannot find exit poll data or voting by demographics, the regional data seems to suggest a well-above-par black vote for Governor Jindal. If he won close to 20% that would signify a higher level of openness to voting Republican than in the past. When coupled with the recent success of fellow Southern Republican Governor Haley Barbour in winning the endorsement of prominent black leaders, the possibility of a strong showing for Jindal in the black community may be the first step toward a more healthy relationship between black voters and Republicans.
Finally, Governor Jindal will be the youngest currently serving Governor in the country at the age of 36.
None of these points are nearly as important as the fact that Louisiana voters did the right thing and elected a smart, efficient, knowledgeable, reformer to steer their states away from the Blanco-era failures and into a better future. Governor Jindal has much work to do, but he is assuredly the right man for the job.
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LA-GOV: Wrap-up about Governor Jindal's Performance 3 Comments (0 topical, 3 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
According to a Kos thread, the House shows an R +3 with a good number of runoffs but only one other seat that was held by a D and where the combined Rs received more votes than the combined Ds.
The Senate has not changed, but they did not say how many runoffs could change party hands.
There was less movement to the R column than some hoped. But it look likes the House is moving toward around a 57 D - 47 R makeup. With term limits creating more opportunities every 2 years, this movement will probably lead to a R house. OK has had a similar slow and steady R takeover since term limits kicked in back in 2002.
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...and it did! Congratulations Governor Jindal!
But on the issue of race and racism, you're right, America has come a long way.
I believe that the "race problems" in America are manufactured. We dont have a race problem in LA or the rest of the Country! I am so sick of this race baiting and race peddling, and not just during elections but especially during elections.
There is only one issue that gets the same kind of reaction in this country as a claim of racism and that is sexual harassment! If either of these claims are made by anyone in the USA; everything stops until the truth of that matter is revealed.
Here is a valuable quote - "You're not able to bring racism to the public square and limit the lives of non-whites; its just not possible anymore." Boy the race peddlers hate who said that! Shelby Steele author of a great book called White Guilt
The trouble starts when an issue gains media attention and they have the time to conjure up all of the anger and madness and blame while the investigation is ongoing. When the media gets done with the issue it is usually more of an angry mess. And the cameras bring out the race peddlers (Cosby,Jackson, Shabaz, Sharpton etc...) But when it is all said and done, you just can get away with racism in America. Racism has "lost its authority in our culture; it is looked at with disgust and cannot survive."
Anger is a means; a tool; a form of opportunism. In my entire life I have rarely seen genuine racial outrage.
- Shelby Steele
Speaking about his optimism about the end of the civil rights industry Mr. Steele said this -
The civil rights leadership is no longer held in esteem in American society. We look at people like Jackson and Sharpton as shakedown artists, no one believes them anymore. America knows what the race card is and they've seen through the game. it is going to pass away soon. and I dont think that many will rise up to take their place.....It is like any other historical dynamic; it finally just exhausts itself.
And finally, my favorite quote from Mr. Steele.
In the 60's we made the worst decision in our entire history: to get ahead by manipulating white guilt.
Racism; when genuine and real; gets recognized and dealt with as quick and harshly as it should in America. It just makes me sick everytime I hear it brought up. Does it happen; yes. Does it last when the light is shined on it; hell no! I wish that the Left in America would just let it go and try to win on ideas.
* Quotes frm Mr Steele were taken from a June 2006 interview that he gave to Rush for the Limbaugh Letter. It is one of my favorite interivews of all time in this publication. It seems so fitting here this morning.
That he (a) nearly won a plurality in Orleans parish, (b) he succeeded in winning 35%, (c) he was beat in Orleans not by the Democrat, but by the independent, (d) the two major Democrats combined for less than Jindal, (e) in 2002, Landrieu won 75% of the vote in Orleans and about 95,000 votes, which is less than voted TOTAL this year, and (f) that there will be a runoff for every statewide office except Lt. Gov. (where incumbent Mitch Landrieu barely outperformed Jindal).
Mary Landrieu is, well, I can't use the word here.
BTW, any word on statehouse results?
http://www.myelectionanalysis.com