Jindal predicts a runoff for Landrieu, payoff for Brownback

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) predicted on Tuesday a loss for Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and a win for Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) this fall, two of their respective parties’ most vulnerable incumbents.

{mosads}Speaking to reporters at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast on Tuesday, Jindal said of Landrieu’s defeat, “I think that that is going to happen this year.”

But he added while “she could lose in November … I think a runoff is possible.”

In Louisiana’s jungle primary system, all candidates, regardless of party, face off during the November primary, and if no candidate tops 50 percent, the top two vote-getters head to a runoff. Polling has shown that’s the likeliest outcome, and that Landrieu remains vulnerable to Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy.

A runoff, Jindal said, would “be very bad for Mary Landrieu.”

“She can’t hide [from her record], especially in a December runoff with the entire focus of the nation on her election,” he said.

Jindal said Landrieu’s seniority and experience in Washington, a central plank of her campaign, wouldn’t help her — and in fact, maybe it’s a disadvantage.

The Energy Committee chairwoman “hasn’t gotten it done yet” on energy policy, he said.

But while he said that “we absolutely have to beat Mary Landrieu,” he has notably done nothing either for Cassidy or against Landrieu in the race. That’s despite the state party taking the rare step of endorsing Cassidy over the other Republican, Rob Maness, and despite the state’s entire political establishment working for the candidate.

Some have speculated his decision to sit out the race was informed by long-standing bad blood between the governor and Sen. David Vitter (R), or because Jindal, who remains unpopular in the state, could be more harm than help to GOP chances.

He was far more optimistic about Brownback’s chances for reelection. The Kansas governor is facing a fierce fight with Democrat Paul Davis and has been down in recent polls, an unusual situation in deep-red Kansas and one informed by backlash from centrist Republicans against the hard-right direction Brownback has taken the state.

He implemented steep cuts to government spending and education funding. The state’s budget is now millions in the hole, and the economy has been sluggish. Jindal said, however, he believes Brownback will be “fine” this fall.

Jindal said Brownback’s policies will eventually pay off, and then he’ll reap the benefits of being “willing to use our political capital to implement bold policies.”

“I applaud him for being bold,” he said.

“When you’re willing to lead, sometimes you have to make tough decisions. And when people see the results of those decisions then you’ll see the poll numbers come back,” he added.