Jindal Leaving State Again, LA Doesn't Have The Luxury To Hire A Part-Time Guv
by Jeff Crouere - Ringside Politics (excerpt)

It was not surprising to learn this morning that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will be on the road again. This time he will be joining a traveling group of GOP leaders barnstorming across the nation to improve the image of the party. The Republican Party is in complete disarray, after two major election losses in a row.

A recent poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research highlighted Jindal’s problem. While he enjoyed a relatively high approval rating of 67%, it was ten points lower than the rating he scored last year and it was lower than the approval ratings for Governors Mike Foster and Kathleen Blanco at similar points in their administrations.

In addition, voters in Louisiana are not enthusiastic about Jindal’s traveling appetite. About two-thirds agreed with the statement that the governor “should stay here…and work on Louisiana’s problems.” Less than a quarter of the respondents believed that all of Jindal’s traveling was somehow good for the state’s image. In his 16 months as Governor, Jindal has traveled to at least a dozen states raising funds for his 2011 re-election campaign. Many political observers believe that Jindal is really gearing up for a presidential bid in either 2012 or 2016.

It is quite clear that Jindal is leaving the state too often on personal and party business. He was elected in 2007 as a full-time governor to deal with full-time problems. Louisiana does not have the luxury to hire a part-time governor at this point in our history. Our problems are too great and the challenges are too complex.

It is ironic to note that if Jindal would focus on his job as Governor and accomplish great things for Louisiana, it would be the best possible way he could promote himself as a presidential candidate. As usual, Governor Jindal is jumping the gun, putting the cart before the horse and trying to move on to the next job before he comes anywhere close to succeeding in his current position.

Cartoon: Jindal & RNC Chairman Michael Steele