Thoughts on the New Orleans Election

Kathleen Blanco won the gubernatorial race in Louisiana over the past weekend. Blanco, a Democrat, becomes the first woman in Louisiana’s history to hold that post. But while that story is interesting in its own right that’s not what intrigues me. Her opponent “Bobby” Jindal, is not only a conservative Republican, he is Indian American, and if he would have defeated Blanco he would’ve been the first non-white governor since Reconstruction. According to my colleague Adolph Reed (who is a native Louisianan) Jindal was as far to the right as you can get in politics, calling for the severe curtailment of several policies and programs designed to aid the poor.

Now here is where it gets tricky. Several prominent black religious leaders supported Jindal…as did the (black Democrat) mayor of New Orleans. Jindal only received 9% of the black vote. This should further put to rest the notion that black voters blindly follow their “leaders”. If they DID blindly support their leaders wouldn't they have voted in droves for the minority candidate? Further...if blacks only see color when they walk into the voting booth, wouldn't they have voted for Jindal?

But what I was trying to figure out was why exactly the religious leaders and the mayor would support Jindal over Blanco? From what I gather, Louisiana is (like other states) in a budget crunch, which is probably the reason Jindal gave for wanting to slash and burn social services. I also gather that Blanco did not explicitly create a platform to deal with New Orleans problems, whereas Jindal did.

But something is really fishy. Jindal's policies would've eviscerated social service programs which would've had a horrible impact on the black poor. I believe that in some cases it is appropriate for black voters and representatives to withhold support from Democrats even if it hurts short term black interests. But to give support to a neoconservative instead?

I’m thinking some type of kickback had to be in play.

Comments

[tootsie]

LKS, whats more intriguing is this format is repeated across the land,who really speaks for minority interest,they speak for themselves.Whether its Bro. Al. or Bro.Jackson in America who annointed them as spokespersons.