Republicans are typically better at using power

When you just clobbered the opposition in an election, the thing to do is use the gains you have won to maximum effect. Otherwise, what will have been the point of doing the clobbering in the first place?   Louisiana Republicans clobbered their opponents in the legislative elections this year. Why would they not demand the maximum benefit of that?

The House Republican delegation meets Friday in Baton Rouge, with the speaker’s race expected to be among the top discussions. 

Negotiations with the 37 Democratic and independent members could assist a speaker candidate to reach the majority needed to win the top job. Talks across the aisle often have helped determine legislative leadership in prior terms.

But Kennedy and Landry called on Republican lawmakers to attend the Friday gathering, choose among themselves “and come up with a consensus candidate we all may rally behind to advance a conservative agenda” when the vote is held Jan. 13 with the start of the new term. 

“Whatever member is able to gather the majority of Republican votes, should be unanimously nominated and supported by our 68 members,” the two GOP leaders wrote.

They didn't have any problem freezing the Governor out of the process last time. Why would we expect them to do anything but freeze out the irrelevant Democrats now?