Bobby Jindal in 2nd Place in New Poll

Southern Media ^ | July 28, 2003 | Southern Media

[Pubbie]

A statewide poll released by Southern Media today shows leading Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bobby Jindal distancing himself from other Republicans in the race by moving into 2nd place overall after gaining 5 percent from a similar poll in March. Jindal saw the most growth among all candidates in the current poll and had higher poll numbers than all other Republicans combined.

“I am excited that our ‘Bold New Vision for Louisiana’ is resonating with voters and has helped us move into 2nd place overall among candidates. I am humbled by the growing and broad support from people who are excited about my campaign. With less than 70 days until Election Day, I remain the leading Republican candidate -- polling more than all other Republicans combined. This recent poll will only accelerate the trend we have seen in recent weeks of a growing number of people joining our campaign,” Jindal said.

Southern Media Poll July 28, 2003

July Change

Blanco 17.2% +3.3

JINDAL 11.3% +4.9

Ieyoub 9.4% +1.2

Leach 5.7% +2.4

Ewing 5.4% +0.6

Kyle 3.6% +0.6

Downer 3.1% -0.2

Blossman 2.9% +1.7

Undecided 41% +1

[Pubbie]

If Jindal wins the Governorship there is an EXCELLENT chance that Breaux will not seek reelection in 2004, so let's hope Jindal wins it all!

[nana4bush]

I can vote for a "bold new vision." Do you think he has one?

[danneskjold]

<my-two-cents>I believe it's going to come down a run-off between Jindal and Ieyoub...</my-two-cents>

[Pubbie]

I'm mainly hoping he wins so that Breaux is forced to retire, but if you want his platform here is his website:

http://www.bobbyjindal.com/

[bduet]

What makes you say that??????????

[Low Country Dave]

Jindal's okay, but... Bill Owens for prez? Are you familiar with the Tyranny Response Team, and why it was formed?

[nana4bush]

I am impressed with his credentials and abilities and he would certainly put a new face on Louisiana politics. But are Louisiana voters smart enough to vote for him?

[Pubbie]

?

[bduet]

With 41% undecided, I think these polls are trash. I have begun, however, to see a lot more Bobby Jindal signs around the Baton Rouge area. I am praying we don't have a Blanco "Dim Bulb"/Ewing or Ieyoub/Ewing runoff. I think Ewing is the wolf in sheeps clothing. If you would hear him, you would think he was a spoksman for the RNC. Most true conservatives in this state switched parties within the last decade. Something is up with him.

[Pubbie]

"What makes you say that??????????"

Breaux doesn't want to stay in the Senate for another term.

If a Democrat wins the Governorship in 2003, then Breaux can run for reelection in the Senate which he is guaranteed to win.

After he wins, he can resign and let the Democratic governor appoint a new Democratic Senator to the vacated seat.

However if a Republican is elected Governor, then Breaux can't run for reelection and then resign after he wins, because a Republican Governor would choose a Republican Senator to fill the seat.

[bduet]

Where did you hear this???????

[Pubbie]

Well for one thing, Breaux has said publicly that he is waiting to see how the Governor's race turns out before he says whether he will run or not.

Secondly there have been many Political papers that have said Breaux doesn't want to serve another full term.

If you do a Keyword search on "Breaux" or "JohnBreaux" on the FR search engine, you should see a number of those articles.

[JohnnyZ]

Are you familiar with the Tyranny Response Team, and why it was formed?

Buncha commie-lovin' hippies, warn't it? Plan'd on takin' over the country by means of fluoridated water, eh?

[AuH2ORepublican]

"If Jindal wins the Governorship there is an EXCELLENT chance that Breaux will not seek reelection in 2004, so let's hope Jindal wins it all!"

---

Has Breaux said he would step down?

[Pubbie]

Breaux has said he is waiting to see how the election turns out before making any statements about his future.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Breaux has said he is waiting to see how the election turns out before making any statements about his future."

---

Right, but has he said he would be more likely to retire to become a lobbyist if a Republican won the governorship? He's done fine the last few years with a Republican in the governor's mansion.

Hopefully, Breaux has already decided to retire, but decided not to make it public until after the November elections so as not to affect the governor's race. I doubt he's waiting to see if a Democrat wins to then retire before the end of his term, since I don't think he would leave early just so that a Democrat can run as an incumbent in 2004.

[Pubbie]

No, I'm saying that if a Democrat becomes governor, then Breaux would run for reelection in 2004, and then step down AFTER he wins so that the seat stays Democrat.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"No, I'm saying that if a Democrat becomes governor, then Breaux would run for reelection in 2004, and then step down AFTER he wins so that the seat stays Democrat."

---

Depending on Louisiana law, a new election would need to be held either in November of 2005 or November of 2006 at the latest if that occurred. Thus, the seat would only "stay Democrat" for 1 or 2 years, not 6, if Breaux stepped down after winning reelection (assuming we would pick up the seat when it came up). Would it be worth it for Breaux to run for reelection and then step down just so that some RAT hack can run as an "incumbent" 1 or 2 years later? It doesn't make sense to me, especially since Breaux isn't a very partisan RAT. The only way I can see him do that is if he already has a replacement in mind, and would get an assurance from the RAT governor that he or she would name his handpicked successor.

[Pubbie]

I didn't know this about La Election law!

I guess the information you present puts holes in my theory.

Why do you think he's saying that he's "Waiting to see the who wins the Governorship"???

:(