Campbell reminded the audience of his lifelong alligiance to the Democratic Party, a direct criticism of Walter Boasso, and he invoked the brand of populist rhetoric the Louisiana Democrtatic Party has long championed, recounting the battles he fought against telephone companies and the railroad industry. Alford writes: Since the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, the insider buzz has been growing around Campbell, (Julie) Vezinot says, adding that the party is not favoring either candidate. "Foster got overwhelming support from the [Jefferson-Jackson Dinner]," she says, "It appeared to be a great night for him." Traditional factions within the party are also inching toward Campbell. "I've seen some of those stirrings moving in that direction too in recent months," Vezinot says.
Although some may contend the governor's race is a foregone conclusion, others believe that Jindal's lead is hardly insurmountable. Boasso's recent double-digit surge in the polls following a $1 million ad buy demonstrates Jindal's support may be softer than his campaign believed. Furthermore, when one considers the entrance of another Republican challenger, John Georges, who is hitting the airwaves with an expensive 1,800 point ad buy, Jindal's lead among conservatives is likely to suffer, and once this lead sinks below 50%, a run-off is guaranteed. One must also not forget that the Louisiana Democratic Party will be running their own 1,800 point commercials about Mr. Jindal's voting record. This is why it would be wrong to count Mr. Campbell out of the race. If "traditional factions" are now lining up behind him, Campbell can be guarateed key endorsements and the contributions necessary to turn this race into a serious discussion of the issues and not merely a series of recycled and vague political platitudes, which is the exact type of race Bobby Jindal had hoped to avoid. Suffice it to say, you will never see a comprehensive report like this one on Bobby Jindal's website. Why not? Take a look at Jindal's campaign finance report and attempt to connect the dots. The words "Big Oil" are spelled throughout. While you're at it, do a Google search for "Stephen Waguespack," Jindal's most heavily-paid campaign "staffer." |
Along with the meet and greets, the obligatory pandering, the open bar, the Cajun cuisine, and the much-anticipated speech from Presidential candidate John Edwards, the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, held last weekend in Baton Rouge, also featured somewhat of a surprise, a rousing speech from Gubernatorial candidate Foster Campbell. Campbell, unlike his opponents Walter Boasso and Bobby Jindal, had remained relatively quiet, even when Boasso switched parties in order to run against Jindal as a newly-reminted Democrat. 
