Collection:LPB

Genre: Debate

Place Covered: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2003-09-25

Duration: 01:27:20

Subjects: Television debates | Elections, 2003 | Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2003 | Downer, Hunt | Ieyoub, Richard P. | Jindal, Bobby, 1971- | BLOSSMAN, JAY | Blanco, Kathleen Babineaux, 1942- | Ewing, Randy L. | Leach, Buddy | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | Education | Science | CREATIONISM | Evolution | Taxes | OIL INDUSTRY | GAS INDUSTRY | Political ethics | TORT REFORMS | Transportation | Interstate 49 | Small business | Casualty insurance | Political campaigns | Health Care | Louisiana Charity Hospital System | Privatization | Corporate tax | LOBBYISTS | Campaign Finance | Gambling | COASTAL RESTORATION | Environment | COUNCIL FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA | Politics | Government

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Moderator
• Erwin, Barry Moderator
• Scott, Robert Travis Interviewer
• Wilson, Sabrina Interviewer
• Redman, Carl Interviewer
• Downer, Hunt Panelist
• Ieyoub, Richard Panelist
• Jindal, Bobby Panelist
• Blossman, Jay Panelist
• Blanco, Kathleen Panelist
• Ewing, Randy Panelist
• Leach, Buddy Panelist

Beth Courtney and Barry Erwin of the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) moderate a live debate from Tulane University in New Orleans on September 25, 2003, between the seven candidates for Governor: State Representative Hunt Downer (R); Attorney General Richard Ieyoub (D); former Health and Hospitals Secretary Bobby Jindal (R); Public Service Commissioner Jay Blossman (R); Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Blanco (D); former Senate President Randy Ewing (D); and former State Representative Claude “Buddy” Leach. The debate consists of an opening question and four rounds of questions. In lieu of an opening statement, the candidates answer the following question: As Governor, what would be your expectations and plans for the economy of New Orleans that would benefit both the citizens in New Orleans and those in the rest of the state? For the first round of questions, a panel of journalists, Robert Travis Scott of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Sabrina Wilson of WVUE-TV in New Orleans, and Carl Redman of the Baton Rouge Advocate, ask a question to an individual candidate on the following topics: Jindal’s position on teaching creationism in public schools; Downer’s ability to “shake things up” from the Governor’s Mansion; Leach’s fallback plan if his proposed oil and natural gas processing tax does not pass; Blanco’s failed attempt to expand airline service between Louisiana and Latin America; Blossman’s policy on receiving gifts from lobbyists; Ewing’s proposed plan to create 200,000 jobs in the state; and Ieyoub’s position on tort reform. For the second round, all candidates answer questions submitted by viewers via email on the issues of financing the completion of Interstate 49 and hurricane evacuation routes and helping small businesses to find affordable casualty insurance. For the third round, each candidate asks another candidate a question. Their questions cover the following topics: spreading rumors in the campaign; Ewing’s deciding vote on breaking up the state’s second majority African American Congressional district; Jindal’s plan to privatize the Charity Hospital system; Leach’s proposed processing tax on oil and natural gas; and Blanco’s position on phasing out business taxes. For the last round of questions, the moderators and journalists ask the questions to all candidates on the following topics: ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance reform; the state’s reliance on gambling revenues; increasing the number of minority-owned businesses in the state; funding coastal restoration projects; their priorities for their first 100 days in office; and who they support for the leadership in the House and Senate. The debate ends with each candidate’s closing statement.