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Projections show Jindal ahead in Louisiana

Washington Nov. 15. The polls in Louisiana today are all set to make history as voters decide between the Republican, Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American Governor-hopeful, and the Democrat, Kathleen Blanco.

Mr. Jindal, if he wins, will make history as the first Indian American Governor of a State of the United States, while a victory would make Ms. Blanco the first woman Governor of Louisiana.

The latest poll projections showed Mr. Jindal maintaining a slight and consistent lead over Ms. Blanco, though more than one in 10 voters are still to decide which way to go.

Mr. Jindal's position was strengthened by a combination of educated White Conservatives drawn by his skills as a technocrat, working class Whites and a section of Blacks.

Black voters, who constitute 30 per cent of the electorate and traditionally vote for Democrats, hold the key, experts opined. Unlike past Republican candidates, Mr. Jindal has made inroads into Black vote and also got support from the State's leading Black politician, the New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin.

Mr. Jindal, 32, worked in the Bush administration and was State Secretary of Health and Hospitals under the outgoing Governor, Mike Foster. Ms. Blanco, 60, is Lt. Governor, has 20 years in public office and is from Louisiana's French-influenced Cajun community. The campaign has been fought less on issues and more on personalities, with Mr. Jindal emphasising his youthful energy and accomplishments as a successful technocrat, and Ms. Blanco her experience in the government. — PTI

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