Louisiana’s state government is throwing a party Monday, but Baton Rouge officials are worried about low turnout. That’s because just down the road in New Orleans, football teams from the University of Alabama and Louisiana State University meet that evening for the BCS National Championship.

Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal may be sworn in Monday at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, but the real action takes place a few hours later in the Superdome. It’s not quite fair to sell the politics of Alabama and Louisiana short, however. Both have had their share of colorful characters.

Here’s how The Star’s editorial board rates them:

Louisiana

Alabama

Politician on the national stage

Huey Long: The Kingfish was governor from 1928 until joining the U.S. Senate in 1932. Populist motto, “Every man a king,” spread his fame across the United States. Career cut short when he was assassinated by a political foe in 1935.

George C. Wallace: Populist who played to the worst of Alabama’s segregationist impulses in the 1960s. His national working-class appeal was demonstrated over several runs for president. Won election in 1982 — his last — capturing majority of black votes.

Advantage: Very close. Long’s popularity reportedly scared FDR more than Wallace ever scared Nixon. However, longevity and end-of-life reversal of racial attitudes (which might be viewed as him playing one last angle) give the nod to Wallace

Colorful politicians

Edwin Edwards: Served four terms as governor and one term in prison. Spent most of his time in office under one cloud of scandal or the other involving bribery, illegal campaign cash, extravagant gambling debts and extramarital affairs.

Jim Folsom: “Big Jim” won two stints in the governor’s office. Official state bio notes “first term in office was also marred by a paternity case and accusations of scandal, misconduct, and corruption in various state agencies under Folsom’s control or the guidance of his associates.’”

Advantage: Tied; too close for us to call.

Politician with ‘convictions’

William J. Jefferson: New Orleans congressman convicted in 2009 on charges of bribery, racketeering, money laundering and wire fraud. During a probe, investigators found $90,000 of ill-gotten loot in Jefferson’s freezer.

Larry Langford: Ex-mayor of Birmingham convicted in 2009 on federal bribery charges for accepting $236,000. Most of the cash went for clothes and fashion accessories.

Advantage: Jefferson — hiding the loot in cold storage trumps fine duds.

State capitol building

Baton Rouge’s art deco skyscraper: This 34-story, 450-foot masterpiece was made with Alabama limestone. Opened in 1932. Records detailing constructions during Huey Long era reportedly went missing.

Montgomery’s Greek Revival: The building opened in 1851. It has witnessed both the creation of the Confederate States of America and the civil rights movement 100 years later.

Advantage: Historical significance gives edge to Montgomery

Capital city nicknames

Red Stick: French settlers offered the name after seeing an Indian tribe’s red stick serving as a boundary marker near what is now Baton Rouge.

Goat Hill: Before serving as the site of Alabama’s Capitol building, this high bluff was used as a pasture for, you guessed it, goats.

Advantage: Goat Hill

Man in black robes

Edward Douglass White: Briefly served in U.S. Senate until President Grover Cleveland appointed him to the Supreme Court in 1894. Was later appointed chief justice, a role he filled from 1910 until his death in 1921.

Hugo Black: Clay County native left the U.S. Senate in 1937 to join the Supreme Court, where he remained until his death in 1971. The influential jurist left a substantial footprint on U.S. jurisprudence.

Advantage: Black

Campaign slogan

“Vote for the Lizard, not the Wizard.”: The 1991 election for governor boiled down to the infamously corrupt Edwin Edwards against former KKK member David Duke. The Lizard beat the Wizard by more than 20 points.

“Alabama is doing just fine.”: Guy Hunt’s gubernatorial slogan sounds more like something you’d tell a friend in recovery.

Advantage: The Wizard wins again.

Current governor

Bobby Jindal: Son of Indian immigrants who took his American-ized name from The Brady Bunch.

Robert Bentley: Mild-mannered physician who won the 2010 race for governor by outlasting better-known and better-financed competition.

Advantage: Jindal, who is in his early 40s, is still considered an up-and-comer in GOP national politics.

Pundit

James Carville: The “Ragin’ Cajun” is political consultant and Clinton White House aide known for his colorful cable TV commentary.

Joe Scarborough: Former Florida congressman who graduated from the University of Alabama is host of MSNBC program Morning Joe.

Advantage: The outspoken Carville trumps the more mild-mannered Scarborough.