"God Bless His Little Heart

"God bless his little heart", said newly re-elected Louisiana governor, John Bel Edwards as he referred to President Donald Trump during his victory speech Saturday (Nov.16)night in Baton Rouge. Edwards won a race that could have easily gone to his challenger, wealthy businessman Eddie Rispone, had he defined himself as someone who would work for compromise in Baton Rouge instead of tying himself to President Trump. Rispone had no record to run on when it came to politics, as he was short on substance when it came to implementing a coherent policy on how he would govern as governor of Louisiana. Instead, Rispone talked about "how great" the president had been to Louisiana, even though it was Edwards who brought the state back from a billion-dollar deficit. Rispone tried to take advantage of President Trump's and VP Pence's visits to Louisiana, as they warned voters about the "liberal socialist" governor, who did nothing but raise taxes. When they say things like that, they always seem to "forget" that the Louisiana legislature is controlled by Republicans. You know, that place where bills originate, are discussed, deals made(compromise), voted on and sent to the governor for his signature. That part conservative candidates will always leave out because their fingerprints are on what the governor signs. Trump tried to make things all about himself at his rallies when he would tell his supporters that their votes are FOR him, and the state is second. As Edwards said, "God bless his little heart".

There are those who are trying to diminish the impact of Edwards' victory by saying that he "squeaked" to a win last Saturday. But this win by Edwards is even bigger than his first victory four years ago. Barack Obama was president; the Democrats were in good shape despite the popularity of the Tea Party. Then came 2016 as Trump is elected president, and the Democrats lose the House as Republicans kept control of the Senate. Democrats could only watch Republicans do what they wanted, as Trump slowly took complete control over the Republican party. But Edwards stayed focused, seeking compromise on solving the problems that Louisiana had at the state level. Republicans in Washington somehow kept shooting themselves in the foot when it came to legislating from the House, that combined with the increasing scandals that would engulf the White House concerning Russia and the 2016 elections, signaled the end of Republican control in the House. Voters became frustrated as two House speakers would leave in Trump's first term. Then came 2018, as Democrats took the fight to Republicans primarily because of President Trump's performance in office on a variety of issues, retook the House. That win, many agree, was the handwriting on the wall for what the president would face for the rest of his presidency.

By all accounts politically, Edwards wasn't supposed to win four years ago. Everyone just knew that Louisiana being a deep red state would elect another Republican to succeed Bobby Jindal. It's funny how no Republicans mention his name anymore. Edwards came at the "right" time because he is not a "liberal socialist", who will spend foolishly, but he is more to the center than most Republicans. Edwards's record as a legislator lined up Republicans on abortion, guns and spending. Voters apparently saw in him someone who had the "maturity" four years ago to turn the state around, as they seem satisfied (re-election) in the direction that the state is going in now. Republicans can continue to work with Edwards now that the majority of voters has given them the green light to do so. One has to wonder when will be the next time President Trump decides to come back and "sit a spell" with us. The state will probably vote Republican in 2020 no matter who the nominee is. But John Bel Edwards is the first back to back Democrat elected governor in Louisiana in a long time, meaning that Louisiana can change for something better. As for President Trump, Democrats joyfully say, "Bless his little heart". Remember, the world is watching. So is God.