Character Assassination

Just yesterday, a shameful, desperate TV ad attempting to mischaracterize Bobby’s record and personally attack his character hit the airwaves. Walter Boasso released his new insulting attack ad after announcing that he would “do whatever it takes” to get elected, and we are now seeing that approach in full force.

Let’s not forget, these are the same folks who ran the ad attacking Bobby’s Christian faith just a few weeks ago...now they have an ad calling him “heartless.” Apparently, doing “whatever it takes” includes lying, deceiving, mudslinging, and just plain Character Assassination.

The truth is that Bobby’s strong record on improving health care in Louisiana is indisputable. His work at DHH not only won him the endorsement of the Times Picayune and accolades by the Baton Rouge Advocate, but Senators John Breaux and Mary Landrieu also personally praised his service. Bobby was able to create savings in our health care system by rooting out millions of dollars worth of waste and abuse. This made him some powerful enemies and they have been after him ever since.

When Bobby took over DHH all the experts agreed that Louisiana was headed toward a health care meltdown that would have jeopardized the lives of thousands of patients across the state. Bobby came in and fixed the problem on the backs of many who were gaming the system - thereby securing health care for those who needed it most.

Just as we did when they attacked Bobby’s Christian faith, we have launched a quick and direct response to the lies and misinformation in this most recent Boasso attack ad. Today, we began airing a new TV ad titled “Stand Up” which you can view online here.

We know Walter will do ‘whatever it takes’ to hold onto the old corrupt system of the past that he has benefited from for so long, but this won’t stop us. Bobby is committed to ending the corruption in our state, no matter how many smears, lies, character attacks, and personal insults are hurled his way during the old corrupt gang’s do-whatever-it-takes attempts to hold onto power.

Thank you for your continuing support. I have included some articles below which speak to Bobby’s strong record of accomplishments in health care.

Timmy Teepell
Campaign Manager
Bobby Jindal 2007

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Bobby Jindal Has Strong Record of Improving Health Care

Times Picayune Endorsed Jindal, Citing His Good Work at DHH. “The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune endorsed Jindal in its Sunday editions, saying Jindal ‘has a track record of success’ and is ‘someone who can make things happen.’ The newspaper credited Jindal with wiping out a $475 million deficit and cracking down on Medicaid fraud when he was the secretary of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.” ("Poll: Blanco, Jindal tied at 18 percent.” AP. 9/20/03.)

ADVOCATE: Before Jindal, DHH was “Racked By a Chronic Funding Crisis And Tainted by Scandal.” “Bobby Jindal Took Over A Department Of Health And Hospitals Racked By A Chronic Funding Crisis And Tainted By Scandal. He Leaves A Department Leaner And Almost Certainly Cleaner. ...[H]is Credentials, No-Excuses Approach And Willingness To Tackle A Massive Medicaid Shortfall Impressed Lawmakers And Others.” (Editorial, “Jindal Leaves DHH Leaner And Cleaner,” The Advocate, 1/31/98)

TIMES PICAYUNE: Jindal “Reformed” Public Health System. Bobby Jindal Reformed The State’s Bloated And Mismanaged Medicaid Program, Pulling Our Public Health System Back From The Brink Of Bankruptcy. ...Mr. Jindal’s Talent, Energy And Honesty Will Be Missed In Louisiana...” (Editorial, Times-Picayune, 2/1/98)

John Breaux Supported Jindal’s Work at DHH and Recommended Him to the President. “Breaux and Rep. William Thomas ‘sent a letter to Bush last week lauding Jindal’s achievements as head of the state Department of Health and Hospitals from 1996 to 1998 and as executive director of the Medicare commission the two lawmakers chaired from 1998 to 1999.” ("Breaux Supporting Jindal For HCFA.” Frontrunner. 1/25/01.)

Sen. Landrieu Praised Jindal For “Improving The Quality Of Health Care For All Our Citizens.” “The commission could not have chosen a better person to lead the efforts to secure our Medicare system,” [Sen. Mary] Landrieu said. “In just two years, as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary Jindal has instituted reforms which have save taxpayers million, and helped eliminate fraud, while improving the quality of health care for all our citizens.” (Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-LA, “Landrieu Please With Jindal Appointment,” Press Release, 1/28/98)

The President of The State Medical Society Applauded Jindal’s work at DHH. “He amazed many of us with his excellent job of improving a substantial part of the Medicaid budget from a total mess to a program moving in the direction of efficiency, better allocation of resources, and proper management. The LSMS has worked well with him,” said Michael Ellis, then head of the Louisiana State Medical Society. ("DHH Secretary Jindal Selected To Lead National Medicare Commission,” Capsules, 2/98)

Jindal “Rescued” Medicaid Program, “Produced Positive Health Outcomes”. “He is credited with rescuing Louisiana’s Medicaid program from bankruptcy by turning a $400 million deficit into three consecutive years of surpluses totaling more than $220 million; even as he was reducing annual spending by $1 billion, Jindal was able to produce positive health outcomes. For example, Louisiana moved from 37th to 3rd best nationally in health screenings for children, increased childhood immunizations from 50 to nearly 90 percent, and offered new and expanded services for elderly and disabled persons.” (Press Release. David West, Northwestern State University Press Release. 12/2/99.)

Jindal “Transformed” Department that Had “Run Amok For Years”. Jindal’s Tenure At DHH Is “A Success Story That Has Totally Transformed A Department That Had Been Allowed To Run Amok For Years.” (Editorial, “State’s Health Agency Has Worked Miracles,” [Lake Charles] American Press, 7/17/97)

Jindal Fought Fraud in Medicaid. “Jindal, at age 24 in 1996, took over the state Department of Health and Hospitals and became Foster’s boy wonder, turning the state agency around and making it a national model for fighting Medicaid fraud.” ("Jindal headed toward university system job.” Guy Coates, AP. 4/23/99.)