LaPolitics by Maginnis: Jenkins rejects rumors that LSU president has been picked; Holden leads in early mayoral poll

Published Aug 17, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Aug 17, 2012)

As the LSU Board of Supervisors goes on retreat this weekend to discuss combining the jobs of president and chancellor, interim President Bill Jenkins is dismissing rumors that the gubernatorial fix is in for LED Secretary Stephen Moret, or anyone else. "That's nuts!" exclaimed the normally mild-mannered Jenkins, noting he nonetheless hopes to be replaced by the year's end. Leaving the joint budget committee meeting, he called it "irrational" that the board would pay for a consultant and go through the charade of a national search if the decision already is made. "There will be a national search. I have their commitment," he says. The retreat will be open to the media and public in the fourth-floor conference room of the new Clinical Research Building of Pennington Biomedical Research Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

—Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden leads in the only poll released so far in the Baton Rouge mayoral race, but his decline in support from white voters, compared to his first two elections, shows he needs to run a strong campaign to win a third term. The Southern Media 400-sample poll was paid for by "people who were interested in several different races and issues," according to pollster Bernie Pinsonat. The survey shows Democrat Holden at 42%, leading Republican Councilman Mike Walker at 21.5% and independent Gordon Mese at 4%. Notably, 28% remain undecided and 4% chose two other candidates who decided not to run.

They said it: "You are not a potted plant, your honor." —NFL Players Association attorney Terry Kessler, advising U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan that she can grant an injunction in favor of suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, in The Times-Picayune

(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)

Today's poll question: If the mayoral election were today, who would you vote for?