By Judith Roberts
Special to The Journal

Sitting down with Dr. Philip Cook, a professor of history at Louisiana Tech, is more than an interview. It's an experience.

Cook has taught at Tech since 1969, after his mentor, Garnie W. McGinty--who served as a history professor and head of the social sciences department from 1928-1965--encouraged him to pursue his doctorate at the University of Georgia. History has served Cook well over the years, also giving him a desire to follow politics and also taking him to Europe at times.

Yet Cook is Tech's specialist on Louisiana history. Though Cook said he does not follow the ins and outs of the political arena as much as he has in years past, he still had valuable notes to make on Louisiana's new governor, Bobby Jindal, and the upcoming presidential race.

"(Bobby Jindal) should have smooth sailing," Cook said. "The state is in the best financial situation it's been in for years, mainly due to (former) Gov. (Kathleen) Blanco."

Cook hopes Jindal's ethical reform bill will pass, though he does note that Jindal seems to be catering to those looking for corruption in state government rather than the clean records of the previous two governors, Blanco and Mike Foster.

"There has been no corruption (in the governor's chair) since Edwin Edwards, but in Jindal's campaign, he didn't make those distinctions," Cook said. "It bothers me that he's not being specific. He tries to make all Louisiana politicians corrupt, and most do the right thing."

As for the recent Louisiana primaries, Cook said he was not at all surprised at the success Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee had in the Southern "Bible Belt."

"Forty-five percent of Democratic voters (in Louisiana) are black, and a lot of young whites are attracted to Obama," he said. "He's made the strongest case for change, and it's caught on. (President George W.) Bush and his bunch made such a mess of things that there's a ground swell for change.

"(Sen.) Hillary Clinton (D-NY) tries to talk change, but she's been in the power structure before, and young people distrust professional politicians."

As for Huckabee, Cook said the presidential hopeful will most likely win every state in the Southern Bible Belt.

"The majority of Baptists are going to stick together," he said. "Huckabee could depend on the evangelical vote."

In the end, however, Cook said he feels it will come down between the Democratic Obama and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, the Republican front-runner.

"McCain is a moderate Republican," he said. "When it comes down to it, the majority of Americans are going to support the person they admire most. He endured torture in Vietnam camps, volunteered for service, conducted himself with dignity and is not part of the power structure. He's an American hero.

"If Hillary carries Texas and Ohio primaries, she'll still have a good chance to run against McCain. Nothing is for certain at this point," Cook said.

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