A question about Jindal, Louisiana, and Race...

[fujiyama]

I've been watching the La. gov. race with some interest, because here we have an Indian-American candidate running a pretty decent campaign in a relatively conservative, southern state. Granted, he seems to be somewhat of a right wing loony, but nevertheless...

Also, Jindall converted from Hinduism to Envangleical Catholicism. Had he not converted, would religion have been an issue? It seems as though race really hasn't been. If he had not converted, and kept the same views on abortion, etc., would he have been polling more poorly?

Another thing I've been wondering about -- and this is very important for the democratic party -- is what the party is doing to recruit good minority candidates. I recall hearing that in the NY gov. race, the African American candidate was not given enough support by the party.

Is this a result of some misguided attempt by the DLC to woo back conservative whites/ southerners to the dem. party? Because, if it is, it seems disasterous. One thing, this La. race is proving, is that race may not be as important for the south, as are issues that resonate with them.

Obviously the republican party has little to offer minorities (or working class/middle class people of any race), but the GOP may be able to use this for great PR stunts. If Jindall wins this, expect him to be another GOP minority poster boy. And so far he has been impressive, considering his resume (his politics may suck, but he's obviously quite intelligent, and accomplished at a young age), and his various endoresements.

[_Jumper_]

1. I'm curious about this too

:kick:

[robsul82]

2. Oh yeah...

...many comments I've heard about Jindal from your stereotypical CONFEDERATE FLAGS ON THE PICKUP TRUCK people have been, "Well, I wouldn't be voting for him if he worshipped cows no more." Actual quote.

Later.

RJS

[MojoKrunch]

3. Haven't lived there in 15 years, but *YES*.

//Also, Jindall converted from Hinduism to Envangleical Catholicism. Had he not converted, would religion have been an issue?//
Oh, hell yes.
You can't do *SHIT* in Louisiana politically without going to church functions and "Evangelical Catholicism" pretty much covers all your bases.
La. is split North/South, Southern Baptist/Catholic right at Alexandria.
It wouldn't surprise me if he was an LSU grad and a Frat boy, too.

//It seems as though race really hasn't been. If he had not converted, and kept the same views on abortion, etc., would he have been polling more poorly?//
YES.
From what I can tell, he has worked *very* hard at becoming a "good old boy"... they nicknamed him "Bobby".

And I can tell you the *only* reason "race isn't an issue" is because he is a brown eye, brown-haired,(as are the majority of Louisianians) obviouly *NOT* of African decent *male*.

I was *shocked* when I found out the choice for La. Governor was going to be a transplanted Hindu/Indian and a *woman*!
Either way, history is being made.
No white men in sight.

It was to little surprise when I found out my father was going to vote for this Repuke idiot who was a "foreigner" rather than a woman.
Dad voted for the only Cajun sounding fella in the primaries.
And he would *NEVER* vote for a woman, especially a "non-fiscally conservative" one at that.
Ah, DixieCrats.
The GOP just *love* 'em.

//Another thing I've been wondering about -- and this is very important for the democratic party -- is what the party is doing to recruit good minority candidates. I recall hearing that in the NY gov. race, the African American candidate was not given enough support by the party.//
That's no shock.
The Democratic Party has done its best to shoot itself in the foot for a while now.

//Is this a result of some misguided attempt by the DLC to woo back conservative whites/ southerners to the dem. party? Because, if it is, it seems disasterous. One thing, this La. race is proving, is that race may not be as important for the south, as are issues that resonate with them.//
You can't really use La. as a marker for the rest of the south.
It has too much of its own twisted politics.
Kathleen Blanco is from a political family in Southeast La., "Cajun country", and with a bad economy she *should* be the easy front-runner.
The fact that she is neck and neck tells me that the Baton Rouge GOP is playing some serious hardball behind the scenes.

For instance, my dad believes that Jindal is a "fiscal conservative" and that Kathleen Blanco will "give the state away".
This after he bitched about Jindals mentor, Mike Foster, spending all sorts of taxpayer money to get the Charlotte Horents NBA team to move to New Orleans.
So obviously the spin is hot and heavy.

In the end, it won't really matter.
It will be politics as usual in La.
Edwin Edwards proved that much with his multiple governorships.

//If Jindall wins this, expect him to be another GOP minority poster boy. And so far he has been impressive, considering his resume (his politics may suck, but he's obviously quite intelligent, and accomplished at a young age), and his various endoresements.//
Oh no doubt.
I expect to see him in DC, regardless.

Mojo

[0rganism]

5. That's my impression of Jindall, too: headed for DC in a few years

Saw Jindal on CSpan for a few minutes, debating Blanco. He looked sharp and dangerous, like a well-honed knife about to cut services. Blanco looked dull and clumsy, almost asleep.

I don't want to get too pessimistic, but it seems like the Democratic party doesn't even want to put up solid candidates anymore.

[ronzo]

6. Doomed.

FMITGA

[fujiyama]

4. kick!