Recently, newspaper articles on both ends of the state
caught my eye.
On Nola.com, State Treasurer John Kennedy said that he’s “very,
very seriously” considering running for Governor in 2015.
At a Baton Rouge Press Club lunch, Kennedy said, “I want a
governor who cares more about Louisiana’s future than his own,” a direct shot
across the bow at current Governor Bobby Jindal.
“I want a governor that will govern this state with
knowledge and wisdom, not ambition.”
Ok, I’ll buy into that.
“I believe in the possibility of progress. I believe
Louisiana’s future can be better than its present and better than its past. You’re
all thinking people. You know what you want in a governor. I do, too.”
“The possibility of progress”?
I don’t know what that is but I do know that I like John
Kennedy.
Of all the elected officials in Louisiana, the only one that
I trust to consistently tell me the truth is John Kennedy. Now, I might not
always like the truth, but I know that I’m going to get it.
Current Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, a fellow Republican, has
also announced that he will be seeking the big chair along with Democratic
State Rep. John Bel Edwards from Amite. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain
thought about running but has reversed course. U.S. Senator David Vitter,
another Republican, is also said to be contemplating a gubernatorial bid.
Hopefully, Republicans won’t put forth three strong contenders
in Kennedy, Dardenne and Vitter and squash each other. I’m sure that Edwards,
with all of $37,000 in his campaign account compared to the Millions in each of
the three Republican’s accounts, is hoping that he can somehow sneak in under
the radar.
Or, perhaps, Treasurer Kennedy will say that he’s “very,
very, very, very seriously” considering running.
Then, we’ll know for sure.
On the opposite end of the state, Sam Hanna of The Ouachita Citizen opines that Public Service Commissioner and former interim Lt. Governor
Scott Angelle should run for Governor himself or the U.S. Senate.
Angelle has been rumored in the past as a possible successor
to Governor Jindal or as a possible opponent to Plaquemines Parish President
Billy Nungesser for Angelle’s old job as Lt. Governor.
But, U.S. Senate?
In a perverse way, it does make sense.
Angelle, from St. Martin Parish, is strong in Acadiana and
could be formidable in North Louisiana, both weak spots for current Republican
challenger Congressman Bill Cassidy.
Angelle was a Democratic who switched parties a few years
back. Even with the party switch though, Angelle has stronger Conservative
credentials and better name recognition than Cassidy, is a better public
speaker than both Cassidy and the other Republican challenger Rob Maness, and
has a history of being able to raise the money necessary to be a viable
candidate.
He would also have the support, if he wanted it, of Governor
Jindal. Jindal has not announced his support of Congressman Cassidy.
The curious part to me though, is that the idea of Angelle
for U.S. Senate came out of Monroe, the bastion of Conservative Congressman
John Fleming. For a time, Fleming was considered as one of Mary Landrieu’s
likely opponents himself.
Fleming has been cool to the idea of endorsing the Cassidy
for Senate campaign even pointing out that his participation in a Washington
fundraiser for Cassidy did not mean that “the entire delegation was supporting”
Cassidy.
So, we know that John Kennedy is “very, very seriously”
considering running for Governor and some people want Scott Angelle to run for
Governor too. Or U.S. Senate. Or Lt. Governor.
When they decide, we’ll let you know.
