Since the McCain loss last Tuesday, there has been non-stop political speculation about the political future of Bobby Jindal. From the day that Bobby Jindal burst onto the public scene, he has been a political force. Jindal is an articulate, bright Rhodes Scholar who served only three years in Congress and ten months as Governor. Now, he is listed on the “short list” of GOP presidential candidates for 2012; however, Jindal has deflected questions about his presidential ambitions, saying he only intends to run for re-election as Governor of Louisiana in 2011.
Throughout his brief political career, Jindal has been persistently viewed as an intellectual and a strong conservative who one of the rising stars in the Republican Party. He certainly impressed John McCain, who considered Jindal as a potential running mate. Yesterday, we learned that the Governor “politely declined” an offer to join the short list of McCain running mate candidates. Republican operatives wanted to “vet” Jindal during the vice presidential search process; however the Governor declined to participate, citing a need to focus on his job as Governor of Louisiana. Another reason Jindal declined the offer is that he probably realized the Republican ticket was destined to lose. By not being a part of the losing ticket, Jindal was not negatively impacted by the past election.
Jindal is now in prime position to compete for the presidential nomination in 2012.. It is clear that he has presidential aspirations and he is now laying the early groundwork to introduce himself to voters across the country. As an ethnic minority who is a principled conservative, Jindal would be in a unique position to challenge Barack Obama in four years.
During the presidential campaign season, Jindal was in high demand throughout the country. He was featured at GOP fundraisers in Missouri, Florida and other states. Today, Jindal is at the Republican Governor’s Association meeting in Miami, joining other potential presidential candidates like Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. He will then be speaking at the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce Trade Conference in Chicago, Illinois. It is no coincidence that he is going to Iowa next week to speak to a pro-family group. Of course, Iowa is the site of the first presidential caucus.
His stock will only grow in the days ahead. If there might have been any doubts about the political superstardom of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, they have now been dispelled.
In this new age of non-stop politics, the race for President never ends. It did not take but a few minutes after McCain lost for the political pundits to start speculating about the next presidential race. Amazingly, the race for President in 2012 has already begun and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is on the short list, whether he admits it or not.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and the Political Editor for NewOrleans.com. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
You speakum much truthum when you writeum...... "Ultimately, he'll have to come up with some accomplishments. The guy has had almost a full year as LA Governor and I don't think we're in any better position now that we were then." Written by
on 11/13/2008
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Dears, the GOP is propping Jindal up way too early in the game. He will peak way too early and have nowhere to go but down. Ultimately, he'll have to come up with some accomplishments. The guy has had almost a full year as LA Governor and I don't think we're in any better position now that we were then. Except maybe another year removed from Katrina. Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, Charlie Crist have actual ACCOMPLISHMENTS. The most realistic scenario will be an outside shot as a VP candidate in four years but that will be it. Written by MA
on 11/13/2008
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0 accomplishments.... 0 leadership.... Merely a little puppet on someone's strings.... Written by
on 11/13/2008
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I am a Bobby fan and voted for him in both of his runs for the Guv. Mansion. But I agree he needs to complete a mission first. As afr as being an ineffective congressman, I can't totally agree with this. If you remember he pushed for legislation that would have reived our oil revenues but landrieu and melancon played party politics and said the WRDA bill was the way to go...20/20 hindsite tells me that these two partisan hacks should have out Louisiana first and got behind this bill and it may have gotten further than it did. At least he tried. Written by Sid
on 11/13/2008
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How about Jindal actually notching some meaningful accomplishments as governor before moving on to the next item on his agenda. That's exactly right that he spent his time as a congressman looking to run for governor and then now that he's governor he's spending all this time running around the country seemingly selling himself for even higher aspirations. Think of what good could be done if he were to spend that time working on state business and addressing the state's problems. I like having someone who's intelligent serving as governor but Jindal's constant sales trips selling himself when he needs to be selling the state are highly irritating. Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 11/13/2008
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I see that there are a handful of moronic regulars who comment on this blog who are Bobby Jindal haters. You are so few. Ha ha ha. So so few. Ha ha ha again. Step out of your stupid shell and read blogs around the world you fools. Example - go to facebook and see the kind of suppport Bobby Jindal is already generating. Jindal rocks and he is going to be POTUS guaranteed (year unknown because he has another 30 plus years to run). Half of you bloggers will be dead or senile by then. Muhahaha. Written by The dudess
on 11/13/2008
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If Jindal was to be vetted by the McCain campaign, that meant he would have to release records from his transition and his administration that he has so far refused to disclose. Jindal is big on disclosure for everyone but himself. He probably didn't want to go through the process because McCain was looking for a running mate that could also appeal to independents and disaffected female Clinton supporters. Jindal simply wasn't what McCain was looking for. Written by David Quidd
on 11/12/2008
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Jindal was one of the least effective members of Congress during those three years because he spent the time running for governor. He spent the first half of this year running for Vice President but the legislative pay raise fiasco and Hurricane season forced his attention back home. Now, he is getting ready to run for president in 2010. There is a clear pattern of behaivior here. Jindal never stays in any position for very long because he is constantly looking for something else. Written by David Quidd
on 11/12/2008
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Sid, look if Bobby wants to run for Prez, let him. Just give up his seat as Guv. We voted for hinm because we thought he would fix Louisiana. If he wants to be a national rock star or eat corn in Iowa, go at it. But, he has failed as Governor in many ways during this first year and he needs to improve at it. If you think he has been perfect or even close to it since becoming President, my friend, you are smoking corn.
Written by Clarence
on 11/12/2008
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Well we just elected a man with very little experience and not much history, so why not Bobby? At least by 2012 he will have some experience. But he is not a good communicator, he'll need Hollywood to help him out. Written by Sid
on 11/12/2008
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Oh gee, I hope it isn't too late to recant what I put down, soon it will be against the law to voice any dissent......... Right now all they can do is make people miserable for doing so, but to have a valid criticism that isn't supported by the status quo is out and out heresy….. I am soooooooo wrong for saying anything derogatory about my elected gawds…….. Written by
on 11/12/2008
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‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’As an ethnic minority who is a principled conservative, Jindal would be in a unique position to challenge Barack Obama in four years.’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’ Principled? Principled in what? Principled in avoiding being dragged down from his Ivory Tower by the common Louisiana citizenry after being forced to go ahead and go through the motions of exercising some leadership authority that was bestowed upon him and vetoing a bill that would have given state officials tremendous raises and benefits against the taxpayers wishes????? Too bad that's about as far past their noses as the taxpayers either see, or are allowed to see....... Nothing was fixed, nothing was reformed, nothing changed........ Pity that.... Written by
on 11/12/2008
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Since the McCain loss last Tuesday, there has been non-stop political speculation about the political future of Bobby Jindal. From the day that Bobby Jindal burst onto the public scene, he has been a political force. Jindal is an articulate, bright Rhodes Scholar who served only three years in Congress and ten months as Governor. Now, he is listed on the “short list” of GOP presidential candidates for 2012; however, Jindal has deflected questions about his presidential ambitions, saying he only intends to run for re-election as Governor of Louisiana in 2011. 
