Louisiana Governor Jindal Must Say No To Veep

Earlier this week, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal said, "There was never any explicit talk whatsoever about a short list, about vice president, any of that".

As reported by Bayoubuzz, the word “explicit” left open the possibility of “implicit” communications and raised more “Jindal credibility issues”.

On Tuesday at a news conference, Bobby Jindal was more emphatic, “There was no talk about the vice presidency”. He added “It was primarily a social weekend”.

More importantly, the Governor also said, "There was no discussion of the vice presidency, formally or informally," (I assume that includes explicit and implicit talk or other communications).

In a letter to his supporters on Tuesday, Jindal said, “I have the job I want, and I love being governor of the state of Louisiana.”

Despite the urgings from some outside media such as the Washington Times, let’s hope this entire ordeal is put to rest.

As Governor Jindal, Les Miles and Better Than Ezra pointed out last week in a news conference, it is time to be prepared.

We are formally bracing for hurricane season and while Louisiana has been lucky the past two years, and while we are better prepared than we were during Katrina and Rita, we have no idea what is in store for us this summer. A turn of a Category 3-5 wheel could put the entire Vice Presidency issue off of the political maps and questions will be raised why weren’t we better prepared as a state or as communities?

While the Governor has had a good run this month, he will have four months (minimum) of hurricane season that could make him look like the paragon of efficiency or as a modern day Nero, who fiddled with personal politics while Louisiana goes through havoc.

Also, we have legislative agenda items that need resolution.

Passing legislation is chaotic. As we now know, claiming to have achieved the Gold Standard in Ethics doesn’t mean that at all. We still have issues left over from the Ethics Special Session that are not addressed and significantly impact upon the ultimate success of that prior session. “Presumption of proof” in an ethics hearing and the amount of information available to the public from the Governor’s administration are two major questions still needing to be resolved.

Still, let us not fool ourselves. Jindal is a rising star in Republican politics on a national scale. Louisiana could not be prouder. But, first, he needs to finish what he started.

There are plenty of politicians who have had successful careers in office who are more experienced as state administrators, as Congressmen, as business persons as military individuals, and who have served the public longer. Also, ironically, while we did not want ethnicity to be a factor in his run for Governor, it might be a factor in McCain’s possible Veep selection which would be repugnant, just as it is would be if Democrats vote for candidates primarily based upon that criteria.

On the home front, regardless of Bobby Jindal’s immense talents, we are not sure if he can pass legislation that ultimately will be tested by time and circumstances or choose high government employees who have the temperament and intelligence to govern this state.

At 36, the Governor can finish this term, possibly run for a second, remain in the national consciousness and land a top position, if not run for President.

Then, he will have a significant record and there would be nothing implicit about his abilities or intentions.

Louisiana stands on the precipice of success or failure. Oil revenues are coming in which is great for state government, but for many, the economy is still a drag. Jindal should pay his dues and then we can sing his praises. He will have been a leader of high offices in the Foster and Bush administrations, will have been a Congressman and a Governor of a state recovering from a terrible whack.

Everything is still up to Governor Jindal. With one sentence, he could put it all to rest and move on to take care of the business of the people who elected him to be Governor of a state which he has often said has been at the top of the bad lists and the bottom of the good lists.

He can say explicitly, “Senator McCain, thank you if you have considered me to be your vice president running mate. However, I have a job I must finish. Louisiana has suffered tremendously the past few years. Our state is still at high risk. I must decline any possible consideration of the Vice Presidency. I thank you in advance if you were even considering me as has been rumored”.

Stating such would not be rude, Governor Jindal. It would be the statesman thing to do considering your abilities, our tremendous needs at this time, and your lack of experience right now. It would also show that Republicans are going to select the best candidates based upon their abilities and experiences and not based upon ethnic, racial or gender profiles.

In fact, Governor Jindal, let me be very explicit: There is a time for every season. Right now, Louisiana needs stability more than almost any other state in the country. It would be more rude for you to tell us that you will not finish what you have started than it would be rude for you to decline any possible invitation to be on the McCain team, whether you have been offered the position, or not . At this time, many in Louisiana want you to lead us more than they feel this country needs you and more than they feel you need to be Vice President.

So, again, just tell John McCain, “thanks, if you have been considering me, but I have a major job to do”. I think he would certainly understand. If not, he is not worth being President of the United States.

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