Jindal sworn in for second term

In a 13-minute speech, Jindal gave an overview of his goals without providing details on how he plans to achieve them. Specifics are supposed to come in less than two weeks.

Gov. Bobby Jindal took the oath of office for his second term Monday vowing to blur the divide between social classes that prevents many children from getting a solid education.

In a historic setting on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, Jindal cemented his conviction that improving the state’s public schools must be his primary focus over the next four years.

“In America, you do not have a right to have everything your neighbor has, you do not have a right to a big house or a fancy car, and you do not have a right to redistribute your neighbor’s wealth.

“But I would suggest this. I would suggest that we long ago decided that every kid does have a right to a quality education from an excellent teacher. And by getting a good education, kids then do have an opportunity to pursue their dreams,” Jindal said in his inaugural address.

Barring catastrophic storms or oil spills, education is emerging as the central theme of the governor’s second term.

A sparse crowd turned out to watch the 40-year-old governor place his hand on a Bible and take the oath of office at the Old State Capitol three months after easily winning re-election against nine challengers.

The weather held despite a threat of rain.

Cannons boomed out a salute. Fighter jets soared through the air as singer Deacon John sang the final lines of “God Bless America.”

Also taking the oath of office Monday were Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, Secretary of State Tom Schedler, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, State Treasurer John Kennedy, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

The governor’s wife, Supriya, wore red, offering a bright contrast to the overcast sky. Jindal adorned his suit with a purple-and-gold tie in a nod to the event that overshadowed his inaugural celebration.

Seven hours after the swearing-in, LSU and Alabama were scheduled to battle for the national championship in New Orleans.

State Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, parked his rented helicopter across the street from the Governor’s Mansion for a quick trip to the game.

“I am so grateful that the inauguration is happening this morning. I’m afraid if we waited until (Tuesday) we would be inaugurating National Champion football Coach Les Miles,” Jindal joked.

From football, the governor swiftly moved to public education, which he said can be improved without massive spending or tax increases.

In a 13-minute speech, Jindal gave an overview of his goals without providing details on how he plans to achieve them. Specifics are supposed to come in less than two weeks.

Afterward, state Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Marksville, said he hopes the governor proposes bringing teacher pay closer to the national average to create a more competitive profession.

State Sen. Fred Mills, R-St. Martinville, said the governor’s speech was timely. He said he did not expect to hear details on Jindal’s education package.

“Today was more ceremonial. I just hope he’s right with the Tigers,” he said.

State Sen. Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb, D-Baton Rouge, said it will be important for the governor to be inclusive. She said all state officials should have a say in the changes so they can feel they added value.

Only two of Louisiana’s former living governors attended the inauguration.

Former Gov. Edwin Edwards attended Sunday night’s inaugural ball but bowed out of the swearing-in because of the national championship game. Former Gov. Buddy Roemer was preparing for the New Hampshire primary. He is vying for the GOP presidential nomination.

Jindal included the two who did attend — former Govs. Mike Foster and Kathleen Blanco — in his speech. He thanked Foster for launching his political career at age 24 by hiring him to run the state Department of Health and Hospitals.

He credited Blanco with keeping him humble by handing him defeat in the 2003 governor’s race. The remark got a broad smile from Blanco.

The inauguration was not without some drama.

A National Guardsman fainted as Jindal’s three children walked hand-in-hand down the steps to their seats next to the podium. The Guardsman left the ceremony and recovered.

Just before Jindal and his wife were announced, a siren-blaring police escort announced the arrival of legislators coming from their own inauguration at the new State Capitol.

The Jindals hovered at the top of the steps while legislators piled out of buses and made their way to their seats.

The ceremony attracted Jindal loyalists, curious schoolchildren and even a few tourists.

“I am proud of him,” said Richard Hurst, of Gonzales, a Jindal backer, a Vietnam veteran and, like lots of the crowd, wearing LSU attire.

Hurst said he traveled to the Old State Capitol “to see this great man raise his hand.”

Deborah Adams, of New Orleans, agreed. “He is committed, he is honest and he supports our military,” Adams said of the governor.

Jeff Elliott, of Baton Rouge, said he wanted to take advantage of the ceremony for his three home-schooled children — Libby, 10, Jacob, 8 and Nicolas, 6.

Erica Marcello and her husband, Pat, formerly of New Orleans and now living in Baton Rouge, and their daughter were with the Elliotts for the same reason.

“We just feel it is very important for them to understand the importance of the governor,” Erica Marcello said.

Stephen Pierre, of Port Allen, is a veteran of Louisiana inaugurations.

“I haven’t missed one of these since big John McKeithen,” Pierre said, a reference to the former two-term governor who served in 1964-72.