New Orleans had challenges before the storms. Let’s not pretend like the storms created the crime problems, the housing problems, the educational problems. The storms created a lot of new problems, but they’ve given us a chance to fix problems that were plaguing what I would call one of America’s greatest cities even before the storms. Let’s be bold. Let’s make some real changes. Let’s not just rebuild the failed public housing complexes. Let’s not rebuild the failing public schools. We have a very aggressive charter school, a very aggressive reform movement taking root in New Orleans. Let’s be aggressive. Let’s not rebuild the large public charity hospital without also helping people afford private preventive coverage. One of the most effective programs down here has been a Go Zone program that has reduced taxes, giving tax advantage treatment for people that want to invest down here.
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The reason Republicans did so poorly in 2006 wasn’t that the country stopped being conservative. It was the party stopped being conservative. It’s not enough to want power for the sake of wanting power. As the Republican Party gets to its principled roots, it will see more enthusiasm among voters. Voters don’t want you to pretend to be an imitation of your opponents. They want you to stick to your principles and be honest. Even if you disagree with a voter, tell them where you stand.
– Louisiana Governor-elect Bobby Jindal, Fox News Sunday, 10/28
