The Economist reports on Louisiana’s recent gubernatorial election and is, as ever, scrupulously fair:
Mr Jindal is something of a paradox. He is the first non-white governor since Reconstruction; he is a Rhodes scholar; he is the nation’s youngest governor. In other words, he’s a breath of fresh air, a sign of progress who promises to eradicate corruption in what many say is America’s worst-governed state. On the other hand, he is a religious conservative who was as reliable a rubber-stamp as George Bush had in Congress, refusing to make a fuss even when Republicans there were blaming New Orleans for Katrina. Not all of the air is fresh.
If Bobby Jindal delivers on his promises to reform government ethics in Louisiana I will be the first to congratulate him. It is sorely needed. Sadly, his record in Congress does not fill me with optimism.
More interestingly, The Economist notes that only 80,000 New Orleanians voted last Saturday. Why is that number significant? In 2002, Sen. Mary Landrieu’s (D) victory margin in New Orleans was 80,000. The total number of voters decreased 40%. It is safe to assume that the vast majority of that 40% were African-American, Democratic voters and likely supporters of Sen. Mary Landrieu.
Despite more than $3.4m cash on hand and no confirmed opponent, it is now clearer than ever that Sen. Mary Landrieu faces an uphill battle in her bid to be re-elected in 2008.
Steven Preston, the head of the Small Business Administration gave an passionate address on the state of small businesses in South Louisiana. Continue reading ‘LiveBlogging: Steven Preston at Senator Landrieu’s LA Hope & Recovery Summit’
Harry Alford - President/CEO, National Black Chamber of Commerce
Ernest Broussard - Executive Director of Planning & Development, Cameron Parish Recovery
Eugene Cornelius - Louisiana District Director, US Small Business Administration
Mark Drennen - President & CEO, Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Darlene Kattan - Executive Director, Louisiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Andy Kopplin - Executive Director, Louisiana Recovery Authority
Ronald Langston - National Director, Minority Business Development Agency
Tiny Nguyen Owen - Chair, Asian Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana
Roop Raj - WDSU (Moderator) Continue reading ‘LiveBlogging: Business Recovery Panel at Senator Landrieu’s LA Hope & Recovery Summit’
Don Powell, President Bush’s Federal Coordinator of Gulf Coast Rebuilding, gave a fairly uninspiring address. Hardly surprising, given he is an employee of the Bush Administration, but in sharp contrast to the tone of the day so far. Continue reading ‘LiveBlogging: Donald Powell’s Address to Senator Landrieu’s LA Hope & Recovery Summit’
Gov. Huckabee was as lively and humorous as ever, focusing on the strong connection between Arkansas and Louisiana and what Arkansas did under his leadership to help the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Continue reading ‘LiveBlogging: Governor Huckabee at Senator Landrieu’s LA Hope & Recovery Summit (Cont.)’
Here’s the rough and ready version of my notes from this morning’s first panel at Senator Landrieu’s Louisiana Hope & Recovery Summit. I’ll post a more polished version later.
Governor Mike Huckabee, the surprise second place finisher in the Iowa Ames Straw Poll, is up next… Continue reading ‘LiveBlogging: Senator Landrieu’s LA Hope & Recovery Summit’
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