Louisiana could gain from Gov. Jindal's clout
by Stephanie Grace - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

To be blunt, politics is all about horsetrading. You've got to give something to get something. If Jindal were willing to give a little rhetorical ground to Obama, particularly on his pet issue of health care, he could get quite a bit. For one thing, he could get a political boost from potential national supporters who want a conservative voice that's less harsh and confrontational than the GOP's current leaders. More importantly, he could help win sympathy and cooperation on priorities that matter more to Louisiana than the national party. Like the $1 billion to plug the Medicaid shortfall that was caused by a temporary income spike from hurricane recovery money. Like the $500 million to $1 billion more that Jindal's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation wants the president to include in his next budget for major wetlands restorations projects. Like more progress toward Category 5 hurricane protection. All of these things will surely to come up later this week when Obama will make his first trip to Louisiana since becoming president. Jindal's office has confirmed that the governor will join the president in New Orleans. The visit presents an opportunity, and if he plays it right, Jindal could help score badly needed federal help for his state.