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It’s over.

The election for the ages—pitting new, progressive ideas against old school politics—is his-tor-y.

This thing was finished faster than an LSU basketball team at a Final Four. Hell, The Black Donnellys, a phenomenal show NBC whacked after just six episodes, lasted longer than Election 2007: Who Will Lead Our Banana Republic?

So while it seems primetime America isn’t ready for the exploits of a band of young, working-class Irish brothers and their descent into organized crime, those of us here in the Bayou State better get ready for the exploits of a young, upper-middle-class Indian-American and his ascent into the governor’s mansion.

That’s right: Bobby Jindal is the next governor of Louisiana.

Seriously, the only way this guy avoids becoming this nation’s first governor of Indian descent is if a dead girl or live boy turns up in his bed.

Pay zero attention to those who say qualifying is still four-plus months away and the October primary 26 days after that; the only vote that mattered in this race belonged to Attorney General Charles Foti. And on the ballot was this: Is former U.S. Sen. John Breaux eligible to run for governor of Louisiana or is he a citizen of Maryland?

Foti, like so many others on an election day, never cast a vote, declaring April 13 he would offer no opinion on the question. Without such cover, Breaux, who’s never met a tough campaign he couldn’t duck, decided to remain on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Even if Breaux had the stones to run, it only would have delayed the inevitable.

Forget the spin from Democratic operatives. The numbers don’t lie, and the digits that matter are these: $5 million and 60%—as in the cash already in Jindal’s war chest and the percentage of us telling pollsters Louisiana would be better off today had Jindal beaten Kathleen Blanco the last go-round.

Couple buyer’s remorse with a growing mood for something new and dynamic in our politicians, and Jindal was going to be next-to-impossible to beat.

Interestingly, this desire for something different is also playing out in the presidential race with the early popularity of Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney. We’ll see next year if America goes for change or one of the establishment candidates—Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, John McCain or Rudy Giuliani. But in Louisiana, the old school’s out for summer.

Blanco, Breaux and Mitch Landrieu are bye-bye, leaving the Democrats with what? Foster Campbell, who’s been preaching the same populist message for years—dump state income and corporate taxes in favor of an oil-and-gas processing tax? Chris John, fresh off his pathetic U.S. Senate campaign against David Vitter? John Kennedy, who can’t decide if he’s a conservative Democrat or a moderate Republican?

At least one political wonk suggests Blanco can keep the race interesting by creatively doling out her no-longer-needed $3 million campaign kitty. Really? Someone actually sees no problem for a candidate with a direct link to Blanco, a lame duck from the instant the first levee broke in New Orleans?

Ask Jim Brown—on his way to becoming governor in 1987 until refusing to distance himself from Edwin Edwards—how well it works to be linked to an unpopular politician.

Puh-lease!

As for Republicans Walter Boasso and John Georges, both have the personal wealth to force an official vote but fuhgettaboutit.

Here’s the only remaining question: Does Jindal play it safe, uttering nothing but campaign rhetoric during his six-month victory cruise, or will he go the bold, visionary route—providing detailed plans for tackling issues like health care, education, traffic, ethics reform and a think-based economic development agenda?

For a wunderkind like Jindal this ought to be a no-brainer.

Edwards squandered his mandate election in 1972 and Buddy Roemer did the same thing 15 years later. But neither waltzed into office the way Jindal will.

Sorry to cut the celebration short, but the future is now.

Welcome to the mansion, Mr. Jindal.