What is the real, the REAL REASON that Bobby Jindal is going to meet John McCain this Memorial Day Weekend?To talk chopped liver?Or, how about the Hornets?
While the national media is claiming that Governor Bobby Jindal and Florida Governor Charlie Crist are meeting this Memorial Day holiday to discuss the vice presidency, Bobby Jindal through his press secretary made the following statement late Wednesday afternoon after the national and local media picked up the story:
“Governor Bobby Jindal and First Lady Supriya Jindal are going to Arizona for the Memorial Day weekend to spend time with Senator John McCain and Cindy McCain at their ranch. The Governor has met with the Senator many times before and discussed the challenges facing the Gulf region as communities continue to rebuild. The Governor looks forward to joining Senator McCain and his other guests this weekend, and he values this as another opportunity to meet with a national leader, and the potential next President of the United States, to discuss issues important to the future growth of Louisiana."Coast
Nevermind that the national media is reporting that both Crist and Jindal are going to meet with McCain to discuss the Vice Presidency and cites “according to Republican familiars with the decision” (New York Times),
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I understand we are talking politics, but, truth is truth.So, if Jindal or his press secretary knew that Governor Jindal was being invited to discuss the vice presidency or that the vice presidency is on the agenda--especially since the national and local media had been stating such, why didn’t Team Jindal say so in its own news release?
I personally called Melissa Sellers who issued the Jindal statement.I wanted clarification.I have not received a response.
For the record, I have urged Bobby Jindal to stay as our Governor for I have believed in him.I think his heart is to be Governor despite Senator McCain’s interest in him.However, I also think that he will accept the Vice President position if it is offered.But, right now, I feel Louisiana is being taken for fools by the press release--which raises a very important question:
Did Bobby Jindal know about the actual contents of this press release?Did he know the release did not mention vice president discussions?
According to Jeff Crouere, a columnist for Bayoubuzz, “Obviously Governor Jindal has a good relationship with Senator McCain and despite this spin in the press release, I think the purpose of the trip is to evaluate Governor Jindal as a prospective running mate.”
Also, moments before I talked to Crouere, I spoke to a very high Louisiana Republican official who did not want any identification to be disclosed who said, “it is an honor for our Governor to be considered a Vice President candidate”.
The Louisiana Democratic Party is taking a more harsh approach to the story.Chris Whittington, the Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party said in a written statement, ““Bobby Jindal has always put his political career ahead of the people of Louisiana and his meeting with John McCain this weekend only drives the point home”.
“The Louisiana Democratic Party has said repeatedly throughout his campaign for governor that Jindal will cut and run the minute he gets a shot at a higher office. Now, not six months into his term, his eye is on the prize of the Vice Presidency with little focus on what is going on here in Louisiana. He is neglecting important legislation on ethics reform on which he campaigned while increasing his public image through national media coverage. Jindal is enjoying the national spotlight while the people of Louisiana are left in the shadows.”
Whether Whittington is correct in his assessment of the situation, it appears very obvious that based upon my conversation with the high-ranking Louisiana Republican official and based upon the national news reports, somebody in Team Jindal knows that Bobby Jindal is going to talk to John McCain about the vice president position notwithstanding the total absence of the subject in Jindal’s official press release.I only wish that Melissa Sellers statement would have said something very close to “Governor Jindal and Senator McCain are scheduled to discuss the possible vice presidency”.I know politics is politics, but being “straight forward” is being “straight forward”.In this case, Louisiana deserved much more of the latter from our current Administration.I am afraid we have a “credibility gap” that is becoming unfortunate and unappealing.
Where is Kelly Haggar when the rips are lying to us? He always seems to defend Pi and his rip party. Written by
on 5/22/2008
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Steve: Your problem is that you continue to believe in Jindal when there is no reason to. Jindal cared nothing for the citizens of LA01 when he ran in 2006 to only IMMEDIATELY start running for office after starting his 2nd term. And then when elected, instead of doing the honorable thing and resigning early. He continued to collect a paycheck from OUR FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS while working on his transition! The only reason that 3 top ranking Republicans (one of whom ran for President this time and lost) are meeting with McCain is to see who (if any) would make a good choice for Jindal. Anyone who believes differently is a fool. Written by Dan
on 5/22/2008
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I agree with Mr. Whittington. Pi shirked his responsibility in DC while running for governor of Louisiana. Now it seems he is willing to spend time away from Louisiana for a shot at VP. Written by
on 5/22/2008
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Amphibian Ark, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other organizations have declared 2008 to be "The Year of the Frog"..... This is probably as good a reason as any that would explain why Bobby Jindal is jumping around..... Written by ...Ribbbettttt............
on 5/22/2008
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Jindal has never stayed in any position for long. Each position has been a stepping stone to the next. If he were serious about being governor, he would have declined McCain's invitation because this meeting is clearly about the Vice Presidency as Crist and Romney will be there too. I don't see how Jindal will have time to crisscross the country running for Vice President and take care of Louisiana's problems at the same time.
Written by David Quidd
on 5/22/2008
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KPF, I really dislike bashing on your dissertation, but think about what you wrote….. “Emulate”???????? To me that is the same as “Image”………………. I only expect Jindal to be honest, to be true…….. To be an original thinker………………….. Not a copy cat, not a mold driven clone…………………… Not an actor…………. And now we see that he is merely another, put in place by ‘special interests’ to do their bidding… Probably the same caliber of folks that are providing us $4.00 a gallon+ oil and trying to convince us that it is good for the economy………………………. Piyush is so ineffective, that he can’t even seem to make common sense solutions that are staring him in the face come about……………………….. Pitty,,,, Yess I wrote with to tt’s and two ss’s because now all I can do is stutter instead of giving straight talk…. Because talk is meaningless… I WANT ACTION!!!!! Written by
on 5/22/2008
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I agree that Jindal's handlers are dishonest in his reasons for visiting McCain; I also agree that he puts his political career ahead of his constituency. What I DO NOT hear are comparisons to other politicians who Jindal should emulate. Are there ANY politicians that Jindal's detractors could point to as examples of "desired" behavior? Even one politician who lives and votes his stated beliefs? Last night I started Ron Paul’s book “The Revolution: A Manifesto” – think of him what you will, here’s a candidate whose record I can be proud of, a man I would gladly see holding any office including the highest in the land. His record speaks for itself; this representative has not let down those who voted him in office. Great book as it speaks of real issues in lieu of the shallow and sophomoric discussion “political debate” has become in this country. We have exactly the type of political “leadership” we deserve. Check out the excerpt on the NPR link below, I just love what this man brings to political discussion in this country. This is a revolution that is just beginning; one I hope will transform our political landscape.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90438900
Written by kpf
on 5/22/2008
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Are you guys nuts? The issue here is truth. Why is he going to meet with the presumptive Presidential nominee along with Crist and perhaps Romney but to be interviewed for VP? Even WWL said that Jindal was paying for the trip from his campaign funds. Why would he pay from his campaign funds if this is only Gulf recovery business? The press release is not just misleading but in my opinion, it is another Jindal coverup. We are now seeing the true Bobby Jindal and either he and his administration could not tell the truth if it hit them in the face. Everything he does is a coverup. He won't let the legislature get public records from his administration, now, his staff sends out a press release not even mentioning the VP issue and pretending it is a Gulf recovery trip. I am willing to bet anything Jindal saw that press release. He is not going to let a young 20 something green press secretary send out a release when the national media is making a big deal out of this story. If he did not approve that press release in advance, he is downright stupid. I am convinced that you cannot believe Bobby Jindal and I think John McCain will see right through him. Jindal is a fake. Written by Gloria
on 5/22/2008
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Of course McCain is considering Bobby Jindal for vp: bright, energetic, new face, outstanding success story as child of Asian immigrants. But Jindal is a pretty long shot for now, and I think it is true that Jindal is going to Arizona to make a favorable impression, but also to develop a relationship with McCain that will be of benefit to Louisiana were McCain to be elected president.
Jindal is too young yet, and has too little in the way of experience, to be fully credible as being ready to become president if something happened to the sitting president.
You are making a tempest in a teapot to suggest misleading responses from the Jindal camp. But I think it would indeed be wonderful for Louisiana were Jindal to be elected vice president - however much we need him at home. It would be an honor for our state, and a testament to the wisdom of Louisiana voters, that we had the courage to elect such a non-traditional candidate as our governor.
But don't get too nervous about all this: Jindal has to be something like a 20 to 1 very long shot. Crist is the man: large, must-win state for Republicans; very successul experience as governor. Written by chaubert
on 5/21/2008
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Jindal has repeated said "His work is here in Louisiana". I'm sure he is exstremely flattered by being on McCain's short list but wise enough to steer clear of John McCain. Anyone becaming his VP for four years has a career death wish. As for Chris Whittington Stephen, if you believe anything coming out of his mouth you and more gullible than I ever imagined. I suppose words spoken from a liberal democrat to another liberal democrat equals TRUTH! Written by Ben
on 5/21/2008
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Let’s be honest.
