The Brewing Louisiana Religious Freedom Fight Could Be Biggest One Yet

WASHINGTON — A brewing fight in Louisiana over a controversial religious freedom bill has the potential to grow into an even bigger skirmish than fights over similar bills in Arkansas and Indiana.

On Thursday, in a New York Times op-ed Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) vowed not to follow the examples of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) and bow to national or local pressure to pull support of a controversial religious freedom bill. Jindal's line in the sand is the latest example of how Louisiana's fight differs from Indiana and Arkansas.

Here's five things to keep in mind:

1. The Louisiana Bill Isn't A Carbon Copy Of Indiana's Or Arkansas's

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2. Jindal Is Showing Absolutely No Sign Of Backing Down

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3. GOPer Johnson Getting Attacked By Other Republicans

Republicans in Arkansas and Indiana seemed much more united during passage of the respective religious freedom bills in the legislature there. But in Louisiana, Johnson has already caught flack from his side over the bill. Baton Rouge Metro Councilman John Delgado called Johnson a "despicable bigot of the highest order."

CNN political contributor and former National Hispanic co-chairwoman for former Utah Gov. Jon Huntman's (R) presidential campaign also mocked Jindal over his support of the bill.

Ana Navarro @ananavarro

Bobby Jindal so wants to draw attention to himself and be part of the conversation...any conversation.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/23/opinion/bobby-jindal-im-holding-firm-against-gay-marriage.html?referrer= …

9:12 AM - 23 Apr 2015

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4. IBM Has Been Quick To Criticize The Louisiana Bill

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5. Jindal Has Tried To Stay In The Possible 2016 Mix

Jindal has worked to stay in the pool of Republicans showing interest in running for president in 2016. He's hired a state director in Iowa and has travelled to New Hampshire alongside other declared and likely 2016 Republican candidates. Pence has been mentioned as a potential but he hasn't taken the steps other Republicans interested (or at least toying) with the idea of running have in the past few months. Hutchinson's name never comes up as a possible presidential candidate.

Jindal tends to poll near the bottom of the 2016 field, though. A CNN poll released on Monday found just 2 percent of Republicans surveyed say Jindal is their first choice for president.

Full article
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/fivepoints/bobby-jindal-religious-freedom-mike-johnson