St. Tammany News

Local radio and television talk-show host and political pundit Jeff Crouere played odds maker Tuesday as he gave his views on the upcoming Oct. 20 election to the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce.

Calling the upcoming election "an historic time in Louisiana politics," Crouere did not mince words or opinions on what the electorate can expect on Oct. 20. He said this election could be a real turning point for the Republican Party.

"This may be the first time since 1863 that the Republicans may become the majority in the Louisiana House," Crouere said.

He said there are several factors for his prediction. Because of term limits, there will be a 60 percent turnover in the House.

"There will be a lot of fresh faces, with lots of calls for reform," Crouere said.

Of course, Crouere is hoping for a GOP majority. He is the former deputy chairman and executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party. Bias aside, Crouere said it is a time for a change anyway, and a time for real political reform in the state.

He said another important thing to remember is that for the first time in history every state race has a Republican candidate.

He said term limits have put St. Tammany Parish in the catbird's seat. With new faces, Jefferson and Orleans parishes will see a big change in their political structure. He predicted that Orleans Parish would lose seats because of population loss.

This means that more power will come to St. Tammany Parish.

"Term limits are very good for St. Tammany," Crouere said. "It's about time. We give more taxes to the state, and we have been getting nothing in return."

As for the individual races, Crouere gave some of his predictions.

He called the governor's race "a snooze" because of Republican U.S. Congressman Bobby Jindal's large lead in the polls.

"Jindal is so far ahead, there is a limited number of debates. Nobody is getting excited," he said.

According to Crouere, Jindal has a chance to win in the primaries. However, if there is a runoff, "all bets are off."

He said Mitch Landrieu will be reelected lieutenant governor, but it will be a tight race.

He said he thought the GOP might be able to win the Attorney General's race, but GOP candidate Royal Alexander has shot himself in the foot with the disclosure of a sexual-harassment lawsuit and attempted "shakedown" of contributors for money. Even though he considers Attorney General Charles Foti "the worst Attorney General in history," he doesn't see any other candidates who will unseat him.

He also predicts that Bob Odom will be re-elected Commissioner of Agriculture. Crouere said St. Tammany candidate Mike Strain might make it a race, but Odom will win out.

"I consider Bob Odom the most powerful man in Louisiana politics today," Crouere said.

The Democrats will retain control of the Louisiana Senate because of the influence of Sen. John Alario and the survival of what Crouere calls "the old boys' network."

"It will be a real dichotomy. Reformers in the House and the old boys' network in the Senate," Crouere said.

If Jindal is elected, he will have his hands full trying to balance the two opposing forces in the Legislature, Crouere said.

"It's one thing to be a U.S. Congressman, and it is another to be the governor of Louisiana," Crouere said.

Despite the soap opera atmosphere of the District 6 Senate race, Crouere sees Sen. Julie Quinn keeping her seat.

As for U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, Crouere is sure he will be convicted at his embezzlement trial in January. Crouere said he has it on good authority that when Jefferson goes into "the big freeze," legally, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin will run for the spot, and probably win.

"But that's a good thing," Crouere said. "He can do less damage in Washington than he can in New Orleans."

He said after that, the New Orleans mayoral race will be "wide-open."

He said these political times are also strange in the state. Crouere is puzzled by former Gov. David Treen's attempts to get former Gov. Edwin Edwards out of prison. He said Treen is a personal hero of his, and he can't understand why Treen wants Edwards freed.

"But I predict that Edwards will be released by the end of the year," Crouere said.

Finally, as far as presidential politics go, Crouere said it is too soon to make any real prediction. However, he said Sen. Hilary Clinton would continue to be the front-runner.