Inside Report for July 1, 2008

• By LANNY KELLER
• Advocate Opinion page staff
• Published: Jul 1, 2008 - Page: 7B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Bobby Jindal would be wise to face his P.J. Mills Moment sooner than Buddy Roemer did. Jindal needs a new chief of staff who can command the confidence shaken after the administration’s first months.

Admittedly, this is ancient history to the young men and women of the Jindal administration, but in June 1989 Roemer’s administration sought to restore its credibility in the State Capitol with a new face as chief of staff. Mills was a prominent businessman with experience in government.

When Roemer, who had switched parties and was burdened with personal and political problems, tried to run again during the riotous circumstances of the 1991 primary, he was squeezed from the left and the right: Edwin W. Edwards and white supremacist David Duke made it into the runoff. The strategy of bringing a new face into the inner circle was a sound one.

Had it been pursued earlier instead of 15 months into the administration’s life, it might have made a bigger difference.

As governor, Jindal has few “graybeards” in his circle, none of whom are seen in the Capitol as having real power. A tight circle of young aides, who have done their share of antagonizing, aren’t sharing power or information. If that’s the way Jindal wants it to continue, there’s not much to be done.

After the legislative session is an obvious point for Jindal to signal an internal reorganization that will have strategic consequences beyond the immediate tactical decision he made in vetoing the big legislative pay raise.

Having vetoed a pay raise bill passed by both the House and Senate, the administration’s problems in the State Capitol will be substantial because of hard feelings about the political fallout.

The natives will be restless downstairs, and the Governor’s Office on the fourth floor of the Capitol has been poorly served by the on-the-job training of the neophytes in government.

Does this mean that the chief of staff, Timmy Teepell, should be dismissed?

No, and it’s absurd to think so. He is Jindal’s closest aide. In his boss’ interest, Teepell ought to be willing to bring on board a figure with more stature and experience in state government to help the administration.

As a practical matter, in a presidential election year, Jindal is going to be busy with national politics this fall.

Short of telling his party that he’s too busy to help it in its hour of need, Jindal will have to hit the campaign trail. He will be asked to speak and raise money for the national ticket in some capacity or another. Teepell’s role in that effort is indispensable, as well as contributing his hard-won expertise in the State Capitol.

A more senior figure as chief of staff seems a good managerial move.