The first-term Republican governor brings exactly what the Bayou State needs. And guess what? The nation needs it, too.

Amen. That is why I am writing this blog.

He is first and now the governor of Louisiana. His message resonates with Middle America, starting right here with Middle Americans in Louisiana.

Preach it, brother!

Thank you, colleagues, for taking seriously the need to end corruption — and the perception of corruption — in Louisiana.

Thank you, colleagues, for collaborating on economic-development initiatives that have helped to keep Louisiana ahead of the nation during a time of real recession.

And thank you, colleagues, for learning from the mistakes we’ve made — individually and together — and for choosing to look ahead. We’ve got big problems that need solutions that work for all of Louisiana.

It is still breathtaking that the Huey Long era is over in Louisiana. (Now, let me add, it will take time for the new ethical upright Pelican State to be trusted – to even be put into practice. This may be the enduring legacy of Governor Jindal if he is a two term governor.)

The governor’s five-point legislative agenda includes changing the rules so the governor and Legislature can review spending in its entirety every year, require programs to justify their spending through performance, and allocate taxpayer funding where it is needed.

That should be tackled immediately. It is an essential first step toward rethinking state government, reducing its size and providing common-sense solutions to complex problems.

We will discuss in due time the five-point plan. The success of the governor will be measured by the session that just started. I would urge my readers to keep in mind, few chief executives get everything they want every year. They may end up with one or two clear successes and maybe serious compromises on other goals.

But the Alexandria media states the case well. Whether Governor Jindal runs for President or not, he brings new ideas and thinking to his home state.

The problem is that New Orleans is a small market for a professional franchise and it is difficult to build the fan (that’s paying fan) base to keep a quality operation in town. The Green Bay Packers had the same problem – but they are publicly traded and could not easily move. The Saints are several moving vans away from being a former Louisiana resident. What to do? Most localities beg with tax dollars the teams to stay. Libertarians and many others disagree. I side with the libertarians. Enter Governor Jindal…

The Associated Press however reported recently that the Saints and the state signed a deal to keep the team in the Big Easy until 2025 and that the Saints’ owner, Tom Benson, will take over two other nearby buildings. Governor Jindal also reported that this deal would save Louisiana over the next 17 years the sum of $280,000,000. While not a huge sum, that is great compared to the usual sweetheart deals most governments make to keep pro teams in town. Jindal also asserted that no new tax dollars were spent to keep the team in New Orleans nor will there be a new stadium.

Maybe Governor Jindal should wait after all until 2016 to run for President! He is a great governor now. I applaud his vision to keep the team in town without giving away the store. Now if he could make the Saints a consistent winner, that would be an accomplishment…

photo by JaseMan

Fast forward with me to 2012, the year the next U.S. election will be held.  Who will Bobby Jindal, current Governor of Louisiana, be at that time?  We know who he’s been in the past, and who he is now, but who will he be in 2012?  What kind of man will he be?  Let’s take a look:

Age – Bobby Jindal was born on June 10, 1971.  He is currently 37 years old, the youngest current governor in the U.S.  In 2012, he will be 41 years old.  If he were to run for President and win he would be the youngest person ever to hold the office.

Governor of Louisiana – Bobby Jindal is currently the Governor of Louisiana.  The Louisiana Governor holds office for four years.  The next election will be in 2011.  Therefore, in 2012, Bobby Jindal would be the Governor of Louisiana serving in his second term, provided he runs for and wins that election.  Which will be no easy task in Louisiana.  He had a dominant victory in 2003, but we’ve seen what natural disasters and corrupt politics have done to that state in the past.  We will have to watch an see what happens.  Subscribe by reader or by email.

Record – Since Bobby Jindal is a state governor now, he will primarily only focus on matters of the state over the next four years.  His political record in 2012 will largely reflect what he’s done as governor of Louisiana.  His U.S. Congressional career (2004-2008) is complete at this point and that record will remain unchanged.

Experience – What Jindal lacks in record over the next four years he will likely make up in experience.  Being the governor of Louisiana is no easy task.  Jindal will likely have to prove himself against another natural disaster threat, as well as, against the corrupt politics of Louisiana.  There’s a great deal of opportunity for Jindal to showcase his leadership in Louisiana.

Bobby Jindal in 2012

So there you have it.  In 2012, Bobby Jindal will be 41, a highly experienced (potentially) second-term state governor, holding a U.S. legislative voting record largely unchanged from 2003.  Primed to be President?  Let me know what you think in the comments below.