Testing the Waters

The Fix: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is putting his political brand to the test, a gamble that could influence his long-term prospects for national office.

NRSC Back In Louisiana

Stu Rothenberg reports:

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has reversed an earlier decision to cancel its last two weeks of advertising in Louisiana. Instead, it has purchased TV time next week and will wait to decide whether to buy the final week before Election Day. The decision comes on the heels of GOP polling showing that Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) has only a mid-single digit lead over challenger John Kennedy (R). Democrats dispute those numbers, arguing that Landrieu holds a substantial lead.

NRSC Out Of Louisiana

NYT:

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has decided to pull its television advertising out of Louisiana, a decision that drastically reduces the party's chances at its lone takeover opportunity in this election cycle.

The (New) Most Popular Governor

According to Rasmussen, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) earns good or excellent ratings from 77% of the voters. The 77% approval rating makes Jindal the most popular governor in the country. (Palin's approval ratings in Alaska, while still impressive at 68%, have come down from the often-quoted high of 82%.)

Josh Goodman quips, "Did John McCain choose the wrong barrier-breaking youthful governor who conservatives love?"