I was immediately intrigued when I read that Lech Walesa was in Chicago endorsing a candidate I never heard of:  Adam Andrzejewski.  Andrzejewski was running for Governor of Illinois and I thought based on two Redstate articles that he had a chance.  I even placed on my FB page an exhortation for my many Illinois relatives to vote for Andrzejewski. 

Andrzejewski is a millionaire entrepreneur who had no ties to the political establishment in Illinois in either party.  He’s a staunch conservative and a Tea Party favorite.  He did not win (he finished a respectful fifth with nearly 15% of the vote) but Andrzejewski earned my respect.  Now another Redstate article suggests a new direction for the candidate – Congress. 

Let me say that Andrzejewski has won the best consolidation prize one could get:  The endorsement of a true hero.  Stay in politics.  Run for Congress.  Bobby Jindal did that after he lost the 2003 election and kept himself relevant for the 2007 election.  Check into what Jindal called for to clean up his state – and he has made Louisiana much cleaner and more relevant.  Jindal has brought jobs into the Pelican State. 

If you run again, you’ll have my help.

It is a good question and it should be resolved.  For both to run splits the libertarian vote and causes an establishment candidate to win.  On the one hand, Gary Johnson has youth and is similar to the ideas of Paul without the social conservatism that turns off some from supporting the Texas congressman.  However, Cong. Paul is clearly the number one movement libertarian, has tremendous name recognition and can raise  money and supporters.  One site dedicated to the internet sites dedicated or supporting Paul, has about 265 pro-Paul sites registered.  (Your blogger just registered THIS site there this weekend.)  Paul is also on the opinion shows almost every night and is a frequent guest on foreign media as well.  It will be hard for Johnson to overcome that.  He would have to establish all of that exposure Paul has now.

Ron Paul and Gary Johnson agree on virtually all of the top issues that are relevant in a nationwide election. The differences come in the emphasis placed on the different issues. Johnson tends to focus more on civil liberties and a non interventionist foreign policy than sound monetary policy and the Federal Reserve.

I agree.  The simple solution is one the author does not state but implies:  Both of them run together as a team.  Let Paul/Johnson be the 2012 ticket for the libertarian movement.  Paul brings the enthusiasm and money; Johnson brings the future voice of the movement.  If they win, Paul would probably only serve one term and then campaign for Johnson as his successor.  If they lose, Johnson would inherit most of Paul’s support and take up that mantle.  He would be the TV king that Paul is now. 

Let Paul and Johnson run together – no drama on running mates BUT two campaigners to stump a state or nation.  Paul/Johnson 2012 is the libertarian dream ticket. 

Somebody might ask:  What about Jindal?  I am conflicted.  Jindal is very intelligent and very much an over-achiever.  He’s been a success in every job he held.  He’s trying to clean up his native state – no mean feat.  I believe he will be a great President and I hope I can help him.  The Conflicted Libertarian is truly nonplussed.

However, I believe 2016 (or 2020) is Jindal’s year after eight years as Governor of Louisiana.

Some highlights:

Some political observers said Jindal is succeeding in improving the state’s image and promoting economic development.

Jindal said his greatest accomplishment in office is that Louisiana’s economy is performing better than most of the rest of the country. He said that is because of his economic development policies.

The state Legislature made significant cuts in taxes, which Jindal eventually backed after his aides initially opposed the move.

Jindal has helped lead the state in poor economic times:

He [Jindal] said Louisiana’s economy is outperforming the nation and the South during the recession.

 His ethics reforms drew support even from at least one Democratic lawmaker:

Jindal began his term by calling legislators into a special session to change the state’s ethics laws.

Those changes were problematic.

Ethics Board members resigned, shutting down the board for months.

However, many believe that Jindal strengthened the state’s ethics laws and improved Louisiana’s image.

State Sen. John Alario, D-Westwego, gives the governor an “A plus” for the ethics legislation, calling the changes a giant step.

Alario also credits the governor for not sitting at his desk 24 hours a day.

The governor often is on the road, whether to meet with residents or to raise campaign funds.

“I think it’s good that he does mix with people across the country,” Alario said.

Another more prominent Democrat, James Carville, adviser to former President Bill Clinton, praises Jindal and predicts he’ll run for President in the future:

“I would be surprised if at some point in his life Bobby Jindal doesn’t not run for president,” Carville said.

He said Jindal should not fret about the state’s budget crisis negatively impacting his future aspirations.

He noted that the recession is having a widespread effect.

“Every governor’s having budget problems,” Carville said. “Who’s not?”

This is one of the few times I agree with James Carvile!  It may not happen in 2012: 

Jindal said he intends to serve two full terms, dismissing speculation that he will win re-election and resign for a national office.

But we cannot yet rule out the VP nod for 2012.  It seems to me that if a nominee says to the Governor that he’s the best choice for party and country, it would be difficult for Governor Jindal (or anyone else) to say no without a compelling reason (some skeleton that Jindal does not have in his closet) to do so.

PS:  I recommend the chart for your reading.

The Times-Picayune reports that Jindal and two of his cabinet officials (The Secretary of the Department of Human Resources and the Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development) have filed comments opposing the EPA finding. 

A highlight from the T-P article:

In his letter, Jindal said the proposed rules “will have a dramatic, chilling effect on the refining and production capability of our state” and that cost of increased regulation will reduce the chances that companies will create jobs. Jindal said the EPA’s proposed rule could force manufacturers to move operations overseas, harming the national economy, and might ultimately harm the environment if those destinations have less stringent environmental regulations.

I am pleased to see this sort of stand.  This is good news.

Here is the article from Channel 9 WAFB.  A highlight:

“He and the president have gotten along well when they have encountered each other,” Engster said. “It was President Obama who said he was going to be a bi-partisan president. He’s (Jindal) a likeable person and someone I think the president is comfortable having in his presence.”

This is a video from the same station. 

Here’s the NOLA coverage.  

Here’s a great article from CNN International. 

No word on any special moments for the Governor.  Many prominent Indian-Americans were invited.

I do want to move the blog into new directions.  It will not be radical changes:  I do admire both Cong. Ron Paul and Gov. Bobby Jindal.  I would be torn gravely if they both ran for the GOP nomination in 2012.  I think that chance is small.  Paul is likely to run even though he’d prefer not to due to his status as political hero and movement founder.  Jindal is likely to run for re-election for Governor of Louisiana in 2011.  That may be good actually to have eight years of good government in the Pelican State.  Four years to set up systems and another four to implement the new systems and protect them from repeal and/or misuse. 

I will still write on Jindal as well as the 2012 election.  I will also write about the Saints, Christian apologetics and other interesting topics. 

I’ll start on the global warming email controversy.  I do not in ANY way condone the hacking of emails – it’s illegal and immoral.  But assuming the emails are accurate, it tends to support a great belief in global warming that is almost religious in fervor.  The entire environmental movement has that sort of propagandization, especially among children.  I recently heard on a children’s channel teens actually pledging allegiance to the Earth!  I’ll NEVER do that.  I intend to pledge allegiance to the Flag, the Constitution, and the Republic on which it stands! 

I submit that much of the global warming/climate change pressure is to bring about world government.  If the global warming threat is legitimate, it almost begs for some sort of cooperation among nations with binding enforcement mechanisms.  We already have the International Criminal Court and the WTO.  The EU is an elitist regional government with little imput from the people it purports to serve.  It should not be US policy to encourage its growth. 

Evangelical Christians like me are (or should be) concerned about world government.  The Bible speaks clearly to world economic control by the beast through a symbol described as 666:

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name.”  Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV).

Not all my readers believe the Bible, although I exhort them who do not to soberly consider the claims of Christ.  However, I will not support actions to speed the day when there will be world economic control. 

I look forward to comments and more readers.  Let there be free-wheeling debate!

But McDonnell will be a national figure in the GOP.  He won convincingly.  Winning is everything in politics.  I did note that he’ll campaign for out of state GOP candidates but not go to Iowa!  I agree.  2012 is too soon for McDonnell in national politics.  But he may be asked to be the VP for another candidate, maybe another governor who has come to Virginia to campaign for him twice – Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.  You saw it here at THIS blog first…

Highlights:

Piggybacking on the Center of Public Disclosure’s ranking of Louisiana as the Number One state in the nation in public disclosure, a recent Portfolio.com analysis of how all 50 states and the District of Columbia fared during the recession, Louisiana ranked second best with an overall economic index of 7.298. North Dakota was the only state that fared better than Louisiana with an overall economic index of 7.463.  

There’s more:

Louisiana’s position has improved across a variety of national business climate rankings over the last two years, including Forbes.com’s Best States for Business, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council’s Business Tax Index and Small Business Survival Index, Beacon Hill Institute’s State Competitiveness Report, Pacific Research Institute’s Economic Freedom Index, CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business, Kauffman’s State New Economy Index and State Policy Reports’ Index of Economic Momentum.

In addition, Louisiana currently ranks in the top five in ethics rankings published by the Better Government Association, and Center for Public Integrity recently announced Louisiana’s legislative disclosure requirement was first in the nation. Louisiana also won the Co-state of the Year award from Southern Business and Development.

The Governor was quoted as stating that while he is pleased, he is not resting on this accomplishment:

“Portfolio.com’s analysis underscores what we have known for a long time — Louisiana’s economy consistently has outperformed the South and the U.S. since the beginning of the national recession,” said Gov. Bobby Jindal. “While we are pleased with this ranking, we will continue to aggressively pursue economic development efforts so that we can remain ahead of the South and the U.S., but more importantly, so that we can create more opportunity for our people.”

This is very impressive.  The state that beat Louisiana is North Dakota.  I salute North Dakota for its clean government and good people but I think Louisiana might have several business advantages over ND – climate, The Big Easy, culture, food and of course the SAINTS!  (Still unbeaten!) 

Here is the press release from Louisiana Economic Development.  I also must thank GOP 12 again. 

Might be IMPORTANT blog news coming up…

Governor Jindal came on after the Great American Panel about 9:45PM EDT.  A few notes:

Bobby Jindal is in NYC after campaigning for Chris Christie in NJ!  (He has already TWICE campaigned for Bob McDonnell!)  Jindal suggests that there is a mirror to 1993 – VA and NJ went for the GOP and this led to taking over the House in ‘94.

“We can’t just print the money” Jindal says.  Cong. Ron Paul could not have said it better!  Jindal says the GOP has great candidates and in 1994 some of those candidates came about after the 1993 elections.  Hannity asked about if the Republicans have repented of their big spending ways.  Jindal suggests they have.  I am not sure I am persuaded.  Jindal asserts that the highest tax rates in some states will be higher than France if Obamacare passes! 

The governor thanked President Obama for keeping his word and coming to New Orleans.  Hannity immediately  asked Governor Jindal about Louisiana.  The governor quickly cited several statistics in a row about the Pelican State that I could not keep up with.  (A recent blog entry spoke to that!)  Ethics reform, best government in the South, etc.  The Wonk is in the house!

This is an excellent presentation!  Much better than a certain speech made earlier this year.  My only criticism is Governor Jindal talks fast and is hard to live blog!  But the meat of his message is clear even if he speaks fast. 

We ‘ll try to get a video of this interview.

The Advocate reports that other agencies such as Moody’s and Fitch’s have raised their ratings for the Pelican State.  The State Treasurer, John Kennedy, was quoted that this will save $2,700,000 in interest for twenty years.  Kennedy also told the Advocate that Louisiana is in better financial condition than other states in a bad economy.

Thanks for this tip to GOP 12 again!  Go read it daily!  GOP 12 is great!

I would add this:  Moody’s has warned the Federal Government that the deficit must be cut or the United States might lose its Aaa credit rating.  This should warn all of us and the Obama adminstration that we must abandon health care reform and other new projects and programs other than what is absolutely necessary.  We must also consider what Cong. Ron Paul says and find ways to cut back our foreign troop involvements as well.  The GOP must rally behind the slogan, “No new programs until we cut the deficit!” 

Perhaps it will take a President that has improved his state’s credit rating and brought necessary reforms to step up to leadership.  Someone like Governor Bobby Jindal.