Commentary: Find another favorite when questions go unanswered

New Orleans CityBusiness, Oct 22, 2007 by Terry O'Connor

Last Saturday, we charted the course of our state by choosing a new crop of leaders, including the chief CEO. Some races were won outright; others will require a runoff to be determined.

But before we look ahead to our future and the Nov. 17 Election Day, let's review some political highs and lows of the campaign just concluded.

The high point was reached by Blueprint Louisiana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising political pressure and accountability for our state leaders. Blueprint Louisiana's top five priorities -- ethics reform, work force development, education improvement, transportation investment and health care distribution - - define precisely the key needs of the state with at least two critical exceptions. We still need much more affordable housing and must revamp our state tax codes so businesses are not forced to pay 92 percent of all property taxes.

It was encouraging to see hundreds of politicians sign on to the agenda and promise to implement the Blueprint plan. If they keep their promises -- and Blueprint Louisiana officials vow to be watchdogs looking for those who don't -- this state will be a much better place to live in.

On the other side of the ledger, our gubernatorial candidates descended into the mud pit, particularly in the last two weeks. None showed particularly sterling leadership qualities by doing so.

Frontrunner Bobby Jindal also disappointed in not engaging in more debates and not signing on to the Blueprint Louisiana agenda. Smart politics dictated limiting the number of debates because Jindal was so far ahead in the polls and had little to gain by debating. But we have a right to expect more of him and will demand more specifics regarding how he would reduce the size of state government, control state spending and enhance The Road Home program.

The biggest problem with candidates calling each other names, like clowns, and leveling skewed charges that have been twisted into sinister deeds, as Georges did on Jindal's campaign contributions, is it takes the focus off the key issues facing this state. Mocking your opponents and throwing mud do not tell voters anything about whether you would be an effective legislator.

Jindal was by far the best choice for governor. But he needs to be more specific and focus more on how he would lead the recovery.

Another political bugaboo cropping up is candidates referring questioners to their Web sites where campaign wonks have posted reams of content. Candidates should be able to articulate their answers from the heart and from the head -- not from a digital cue card. If a candidate doesn't know the answer to a question, it's rude to put the onus back on the questioner by telling them to research your site.

I want candidates who can think on their feet and will answer direct questions specifically. I realize it's wishful thinking in this era of prepackaged campaigns where the intrusions of a prying press and clamoring electorate are skillfully managed and minimized but I won't give up hope.

The way to open our political process is to demand access. Blueprint Louisiana leaders promise to help us do just that and the press must continue to play its part, too. But the people are key.

During these next four weeks, question your candidates in the campaigns of interest to you on how they would handle specific issues. If they have the answer you are looking for, they should have your vote. If they can't or won't answer such questions, it's time to find another favorite.

Cause for applause

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will now reconsider its policy not to reimburse homeowners who rebuilt their homes ahead of its slow schedule. Many intrepid homeowners were being penalized because they elevated their homes without asking FEMA "Mother, may I?" It was ridiculous and frustrating but hidebound FEMA has consistently been unable to apply common sense to solve a problem. It mulishly insists on sticking with its red-tape requirements despite being faced with an unprecedented recovery period in which it has become a big part of the problem.

FEMA's policy has been to deny Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding if homeowners began work before going through the HMGP process. This policy makes no sense and is punitive to the most proactive homeowners.

FEMA's reconsideration on applying its hazard mitigation rules are a big sign of progress for the organization and a wecome encouragement for those intrepid homeowners who tried to help advance the recovery more quickly than the bureaucrats would let them.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously passed Sen. Mary Landrieu's Smart Response Act, which included a provision to reverse the HMGP denial of grants. Landrieu chairs the committee's Disaster Recovery Subcommittee.

"The self-starter penalty discourages swift rebuilding and protection against future floods and instead perpetuates a bureaucracy-laden status quo," Landrieu said. "While it took unnecessarily long to get here, the agency's recognition that an act of Congress was not needed to fix the problem is a breakthrough I hope we can build on."