GOP accuses Blanco of smear

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Oct 2, 2007

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The Republican Party of Louisiana on Monday accused Gov. Kathleen Blanco of helping fund a television commercial that questioned U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal’s religious beliefs.

Blanco, who gave $50,000 to the Louisiana Democratic Party’s political action committee in early August, flatly denied the charge Monday.

“I gave money to the (Democratic) party for general purposes as a thank you for its help during my campaign. I did not give money for the purpose of developing or running those ads,” Blanco said in a written response to a request for comment about the controversy.

The state GOP points to Blanco’s Aug. 2 campaign contribution as the smoking gun in linking her to the commercial.

About two weeks later, the Democratic Party began airing a commercial in north Louisiana that contended Jindal thinks poorly of Protestants.

Jindal, R-Kenner, is running for governor in the Oct. 20 primary election. Blanco, who beat Jindal in the 2003 runoff, is not seeking a second term.

Jindal’s campaign chairman, U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery, jumped on the Republican bandwagon criticizing Blanco Monday.

McCrery, R-Shreveport, accused Blanco of “a clearly underhanded attack.”

However, Jindal steered clear of the controversy.

“I really don’t care who paid for the ads,” he said in a telephone interview.

Jindal said he is willing to ask both political parties to stop throwing mud.

He said he is not accusing the GOP of throwing mud but merely responding to a talk radio host’s call for an end to name calling.

Jindal refused to say whether he thinks Blanco’s campaign contribution was behind the religion commercial.