Abhi over at SM points out that Bobby Jindal is the frontrunner in this year’s election for Louisiana governor:

Rep. Bobby Jindal would handily defeat Gov. Kathleen Blanco if a rematch of their 2003 governor’s race were held today… Republican Jindal leads Blanco, a Democrat, 59 percent to 35 percent, according to a survey of 600 likely voters… [Link]

The reason, of course, is the Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s botched handling of Hurricane Katrina. She’s quite rightly being blamed for her state’s shoddy response, because you can’t very well blame the weather.

But in terms of Jindal’s chances at the governorship, 9/11 is a closer analogy. Dubya’s re-election was virtually sealed because he happened to be in office during 9/11. Because you can in fact blame the terrorists, ‘04 was largely a security vote, just like the Louisiana vote will be about Katrina.

Unfortunately, despite Jindal’s intelligence, his politics are less than appetizing. He wants to ban abortion even when the mother’s life is at stake. He also backed the wastrel Iraq war from the beginning, only now finessing his position:

Jindal… issued a circumspect statement after [Bush’s Iraq escalation] speech calling for a “sea change” in U.S. strategy, although he didn’t explain what he had in mind. “President Bush’s comments tonight indicate that he understands that a change in strategy is needed… The military commanders on the ground in Iraq must determine the best way for us to be successful and bring our troops home soon…” [Link]

How fitting that an evangelical Republican with bad policies may again luck into power through an act of God.

Related post: Bobby Jindal: ustad of Indian culture