Louisiana has been doing a pretty bang-up job for the past several years as America’s canary in the coal mine, what with our deteriorating natural environment, poorly designed and maintained infrastructure, and stagnant economy. You’re welcome. While its not been the most pleasant of half-decades down here, at least we’ve been on the bleeding edge of national issues. It is entirely possible that the state has also given the nation a picture of its 2008 election pleasure center: ethics, anyone?

Last year’s Louisiana gubernatorial elections were largely a referendum on two things. The first, obviously, was the ongoing recovery from the hurricanes that shellacked us and the politicians that, while not actively shellacking, at least made a good show of it. The second thing-of-reference, perhaps less clear to outsiders (but not those outsiders who read my articles; once again you’re welcome), was the state’s somewhat checkered history with political ethics. Or non-ethics, for those keeping score. And as Rep. Bobby Jindal plastered his campaign in the language of ethics reform, he was duly elected – without a runoff in Louisiana’s jungle primary– a landslide first in Louisiana politics.

Though it hasn’t been a major factor in media coverage so far, it is safe to say that if the contest proceeds according to the conventional wisdom, then we will be looking at an election between two candidates who pride themselves on government ethics. Barack Obama has a page on his website devoted solely to ethics, and his claim not to take money from lobbyists has made its way into more than a few articles. John McCain, for his part, has his own page on ethics reform that targets earmarks but, interestingly, omits mention of his premiere piece of ethics legislation, the BCRA/McCain-Feingold Act.

What will ultimately, however, determine if ethics becomes a flashpoint in the election is how sexy the stories become for media outlets. If recent developments are any indication, the answer is, “Quite sexy, indeed.” The New York Times just today broke an investigation regarding Sen. McCain’s relationship with lobbyists, both personal and otherwise. Further stories digging into Sen. Obama’s dealings with Chicago “fixer” Antoin Rezko, supposed pledge to abide by public financing, and complications on lobbyist money show promise of even more hypocrisy, moral entanglement, questionable decision-making, and good copy to come. Provided there’s enough meat on the bone, we may just yet see an election that revolves around Washington ethics.

Unless, of course, it gets boring.