Bobby Jindal has put conservatives in a bind.
In his desperation to break into the single digits among GOP primary candidates, he decided to ignore the state legislature's decision to table his beloved Freedom to Make Teh Gays Bake Their Own Damn Cakes Act and simply accomplish the bill's aims by fiat.
This will surely play well among those conservatives who put their religion before all else, including law. There is one small problem, however: a number of his persuasion, himself prominent among them, have made many summers' worth of hay decrying "King Obama" for his use of executive orders.
Gov. Jindal has, until now, been quite sparing of executive orders in his mismanagement of the state, limiting his Thou Shalts to flying the flag at half-mast and such. Yesterday's move marks quite a departure for the governor, indeed for all our state's executives in recent history. His condemnations of "president, not king" Obama's "overreach" were consistent with his own governing style, what there is of it.
Now, in his desperation to be loved by somebody in the Republican electorate, he has become the dragon he's been fighting: King OBobby, as it were.
Oh, I know. 'Twas ever IOKIYAR. But Bobby's handed the conservatives a pretty big pill with this executive order, one that's all corners with only a sugary Jesus coating to aid in the swallowing.
Sadly for OBobby, it will still avail him nothing. As the dean of the state's pundits tried gently to explain to the governor, "Bobby Jindal Will Never, Ever Be President." The Huckster's got the edge among the "God's in charge" crowd. Rick Perry's representing the "We need a failed governor" demographic just fine. For fans of "I'm not even sure what I'm saying myself" style, Cruz and Rand have a big head start.
But don't despair, Bobby. President's not the only top job around...
(Illustration: Gambit Weekly)
Addendum: As the New Orleans Convention and Visitors helpfully reminds King OBobby this morning:
The issuance of this Executive Order will have very little practical impact, however, since under the Louisiana Constitution and statutes, and according to on-point court decisions as recently as December of 2014, no Executive Order of a governor may create substantive law, even in an emergency situation. Thus, any belief that the Executive Order could enact law similar to that proposed by Rep. Johnson is simply unfounded and would not survive a court test.
Ah, well. You still got a headline, Your Majesty.