In his new column, Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister throws his support to Jeb Bush in his bid to be the next president and slams GOP frontrunner Donald Trump.
“He walks the walk,” McCollister writes of Bush, adding the former Florida governor has “character, competence, experience, judgment, temperament, intellect, honesty, courage—and a proven record of success to back it up.”
As much cannot be said about Trump, says McCollister.
“Let me say, I think Trump deserves an Emmy for his outstanding acting in a TV performance,” he writes. “While he has certainly made millions as a real estate developer (despite filing bankruptcy four times and trying to take a little old lady’s home for a limo parking lot) and reality TV star, as a serious candidate who is prepared to be the leader of the free world, Trump is ‘all hat, and no cattle.’”
McCollister says Trump’s ego just wants to “win” in a vain pursuit to prove to everyone he can do it.
“That is a scary thought,” he writes, noting Trump’s “big mouth” last year caused Baton Rouge to lose out on the benefits of having the Miss USA Pageant broadcast nationally and internationally.
“He blew our chance to shine internationally and reap tourism revenues—and our city and state refused to pay the balance due the pageant. We all lost,” he writes. “That’s Trump in action, and there are consequences—even right here in River City.”
Also in his new column, McCollister says he admires Gov. John Bel Edwards for remaining loyal to his beliefs and supporters, especially teachers unions, but says he hopes the new governor “will understand that others—including legislators—may be just as loyal to theirs in the battles ahead.”
Edwards has asked the public for ideas to help fill the massive budget holes for the current and next fiscal years, and McCollister offers up a few in the column. He says the governor and lawmakers should look into negotiating a larger upfront payment of its BP settlement funds, push back or pause the state retirement unfunded accrued liability payment for two years and end the approximately $50 million subsidy spent annually for college sports programs in our state—noting only LSU receives no state funding.
Reflecting on the Super Bowl, McCollister congratulates Louisiana native and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning on his team’s victory, but says Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton displayed a lack of class by walking out of his post-game interview.
“He looked and acted like a loser. He mumbled one-word answers to questions and then walked-off. … He said his emotions took over due to his disappointment,” McCollister writes. “Grow up, Cam. If he is going to act like a pouty school kid, his teammates, coach or agent should tell him to stay in the locker room.”
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