Face Off: Blanco vs. Jindal

November 15 will mark a historic day in Louisiana politics as voters elect the state’s first female or Indian-American governor.
However, with less than 24 hours before the polls open, it’s still anybody’s game.
The latest statewide poll released earlier this week by Southeastern Louisiana University showed Democrat Kathleen Blanco and Republican Bobby Jindal in a tie.
According to the poll, Blanco was favored by 41.4 percent of the 705 registered voters polled from Oct. 28 through Nov. 5, while Jindal was the choice of 40.1 percent. Another 18.5 percent said they did not know or refused to answer.
According to Frank Ransburg, political science instructor and Southern University historian, voter turnout is critical to both candidates.
“The polls are continuously fluctuating back and forth,” Ransburg said. “If voter turnout is low, Jindal has a better chance of winning and if it is high, the odds would be in Blanco’s favor.”
Although state elections officials predicted that the turnout for the election would be around 45 percent– five percentage points lower from the October 4 primary election– absentee voting for Saturday’s election set a record, with 99,077 ballots cast last week.
The previous high for absentee votes was 92,439, cast in the 1995 runoff between Mike Foster and Cleo Fields.
Absentee voting was very important to many members of the Jaguar Nation travelling to Houston this weekend. Through several campaigns, students, faculty and staff made sure to exercise their right to vote.
“This shows a high degree of motivation among those who voted early,” said Albert Samuels, political science professor. “They knew they weren’t going to be here but they made sure their voices were heard through the ballot box.”
Both candidates are travelling throughout the state making last minute attempts to reach voters in heavily populated areas including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Morgan City, Lake Charles, Alexandria and Shreveport.
Blanco and Jindal will also spend more time in Orleans Parish to get the Black vote.
“History shows that the type of voter that traditionally votes on Election Day are the voters who would vote for candidates such as Jindal. It is important that Blanco reach out to nontraditional voters, especially Black voters, if she wants to win this election,” Ransburg said.
Jindal has received endorsements from organizations that traditionally endorse Democratic candidates vying for office.
Louisiana Weekly, a New Orleans publication aimed at Black readers, endorsed Jindal stating that he has “the energy, creativity and detailed plan to lead Louisiana to a better future.”
Samuels said that he predicts Jindal’s endorsements would not sway Black voters. However it brings to light underlying issues between Black and White Democrats.
“Some Blacks feel that Blanco didn’t aggressively court Black voters and make herself more highly visible in our communities,” said Samuels. “There are also Blacks who are reevaluating their relationship with the Democratic Party because they are upset that White democrats aren’t supporting Black democrats with the same vigor.”
Jindal has also received key endorsements from Ray Nagin, mayor of New Orleans, the Black Organization for Leadership Development (BOLD) and The Shreveport Times.
Blanco has received endorsements from her democratic opponents in the October primary, Richard Ieyoub and Buddy Leach. She also received endorsements from the Coalition of Pastors for Action and the AFL -CIO.
In a press conference held in Baton Rouge, State AFL-CIO President John “Red” Bourg said that the labor organization is supporting Blanco because “Kathleen has been a friend of working men and women.”
At Southern University, students have different views on who would make a good governor.
“I feel that Kathleen Blanco will make a good governor because we’ve never had a woman as governor,” said Lionel Wilfred, a rehabilitation counseling graduate student from New Orleans.
“If she can mange a career and a family then she’s the one for the job.”
Issues such as jobs and the survival of Historically Black Colleges and Universities also weigh heavily on the minds of young voters.
However, the fact that Louisianans will elect a governor that isn’t a Caucasian male, resonates among students like LaDonna Turnipseed who said she is voting for Bobby Jindal.
“I believe the election is very important,” said the senior music major from Baton Rouge. It represents a change in Louisiana’s voting perception to have an Indian American and a female to make the gubernatorial run-off.”
If Louisiana is not ready for this change, Ransburg said the state has no choice but to prepare for the future of a new wave of politics.
“Louisiana never operated along the lines of traditional Southern politics. It’s going to happen one way or another. We are about to make history.”