Believe it or not, some prominent conservative commentators, including Rush Limbaugh, are touting Bobby Jindal as a potential Vice Presidential selection for the Republican Party. In fact, Limbaugh is hyping Jindal as the next Ronald Reagan.
Jindal is a true conservative and an impressive leader. He won an overwhelming victory as Governor; however, he has not been able to accomplish anything since he has only been in office a few days. Such talk of tapping Jindal as a Vice Presidential nominee is not only premature, it is ridiculous.
Jindal is only 36 years old and has served a mere three years in Congress and three weeks as Governor. He needs to establish a record of accomplishment before being considered for a national ticket. Maybe after two terms as Governor, Jindal could be an attractive addition to a national ticket, but not at this point.
With his credentials as a maverick and problems keeping the conservatives in his party happy, McCain needs a conservative on the GOP ticket. He also may be tempted to choose a Southerner to give the ticket regional balance. The South is also a critical region for the Republicans. If the party has any hope of retaining the White House, it must carry the South. McCain is also in need of a young vice presidential nominee to provide age balance on the ticket as well. McCain is 71 years old, while Jindal is roughly half his age.
Can Jindal help the Republicans win this region of the nation? Possibly, but other Republicans would be a better choice for McCain. Topping the list is Mike Huckabee who is doing well in the presidential race and Charlie Crist, the Governor of Florida who helped deliver the state for McCain. Even Haley Barbour, the Governor of Mississippi, would make some sense for McCain.
Governor Jindal has tremendous ability, but he has a major job to do in Louisiana. He first needs to accomplish his mission of reform and change in Louisiana before being considered for any national office. To say such talk is premature is an understatement.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 8 a.m. till Noon weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Rush is a smart man. He knows Jindal won't be tapped. The reason I believe he is mentioning Jindal is to get his name out on the national scene for a 2016 run. He is helping Jindal for a future run.
There would be no Jesus without John the Baptist.
(Not saying Jindal is Jesus, just giving an example.) Written by u8es
on 3/16/2008
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Ben, it is sad that you are so uninformed. Bobby Jindal absolutely DID NOT get us our fair share of our offshore oil revenue. His bill did pass the house but it did not make it out of the conference committee. The Domenici Landrieu bill is the bill that was signed by the President. NOT HIS. Bobby Jindal fought against the Domenici Landrieu bill until after his campaign for congress was over. He then capitulated and only at the very end did he support the legislation that past, AFTER he new HIS bill was dead and buried. You probably still think that Bobby Jindal wants to bring transparency to Louisiana government. The blind faith in Bobby Jindal is REALLY PATHETIC, especially now that his true nature is actually getting exposed. Written by Dan
on 2/13/2008
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TW, neither socialism nor conservatism will "win out"; rather they will transform each other over time. (Google “collapse/death of socialism/conservatism” and you’ll see where many have predicted one or the other going back many decades). In some respects (these I welcome, BTW) the world has become more "liberal" such as equality (or movement to equality) for all regardless of race, creed or sex (well, in the more developed nations – dare I say it, in the Eurocentric cultures). Nevertheless there will always be people like me who value the principles of limited government and free markets; individual freedom with (important!) individual responsibility; that property and freedom are inseparably connected; that man must control his will and his appetite, knowing that he is governed more by emotion than by reason; and that society must alter slowly. I also believe that our country should act multilaterally when possible and unilaterally when necessary. Notice these "Conservative Ideas" in no way express a belief in a divine being, wish to deny rights due to race or sex or have any say so whatsoever about abortion. These basic “Conservative” ideas will not die out, especially in this country. Written by kerry fox
on 2/13/2008
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Kerry, I didn't say the Republican Party was dead - I said the conservative movement is effectively dead - and it is. If the Republicans want to win elections in the next century, they're going to have to move to the left. It's not unprecedented. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 2/13/2008
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I am glad to see the movement in Baton Rouge towards transparent government, Bobby Jindal has my respect for what he is trying to accomplish. It is indeed ridiculous to suggest his running as VP this early in his career. TW, the conservative movement is not dead - nor is conservatism and Christianity inexorably linked - as many liberals see it. The way I have observed things is: one party is in power, their followers get lazy while the other party's followers are unhappy and desperate to see "their man" in office. So - similar to a clock pendulum - one party is in power, then the next, then back the other way... tick...tock...tick...tock. In other words, don't be surprised when all of today’s "fired up" liberals fail to prevent a Republican candidate from becoming president eight years from now. Dead? Hardly. The pattern is quite discernable. The verdict: we as Americans would rather not think about politics, except when we dislike what is going on ... tick ... tock ... same as it ever was. Written by kerry fox
on 2/13/2008
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I don't believe Bobby is interested in becoming McCain's VP! I continue to read Bobby has "no accomplishments"! Well the state would not have the oil sharing revenue if it were not for Bobby Jindal. No one had ever successful written a bill that could even get out of a committee that I can recall after living in Louisiana for 38 years. In fact we received less than half of what was originally ask for. I think we need to give this young man the latitude we so graciously give others that have been elected governor. We've had some that wasn't worth the price of a 12 gauge double 00 shell to shoot them with. One is in prison now still drawing a state check each month. Written by Ben
on 2/12/2008
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Actually, Jindal is "dribbling" and its not the basketball. He calls for transparency, but only outside the administration. He calls for ethics reform, but not in areas that would hurt his campaign. Has anyone actually seen the reason WHY the Jindal administration is against the bill that would require most of the departments under the administration to be subject to the open record laws? IT IS BECAUSE IT MIGHT SCARE AWAY BUSINESSES WHO WANT TO PRIVATELY NEGOTIATE WITH THE STATE! Apparently the time of backroom deals in Louisiana politics is far from over, and Jindal wants his ability to conduct them protected. Written by Dan
on 2/12/2008
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Jeff, dear, Pi did not make a mark in the U.S. House of Representatives. He merely used it as a resting place on his way to the Governor's Mansion. We wait to see his future. He is not V-P material and may never be. However, McCain should give some close scrutiny to the South for a V-P running mate. Brings back some members of JFK and LBJ. A reversal of sorts - time will tell. Written by RhettsWife
on 2/12/2008
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Jeff-I think you're "spot on" this time. Bobby Jindal has tremedous upside potential nationally, but it must be called only potential at this time. He must dribble before he can shoot. And I haven't seen any dribbling yet. This has nothing to do with him personally, nor his conservatism, nor any other factor other than that if he is to make any meaningful contribution at the national level, he must first establish some credibility and a track record at the state level. There, in the current environment, he can be much more productive as LA's governor than as a possible president in waiting. Shooting stars tend to burn out prematurely. And, unfortunatley, this is all he has been until now--which is not to say he couldn't shine for many years to come if he just stays in the current orbit for a while. Eight years in B.R. should be sufficient to establish this, if he's the man I think he is. Written by NotsofastEddie
on 2/12/2008
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"no record of accomplishment?" - for a while there i thought you were talking about Barak. Jeff- once again you are coming on excessively harsh in regard to jindal - what's the deal?
tee dub - the conservative movement is about as dead as it was in 1976............. Written by
on 2/12/2008
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Look, I may be wrong about A LOT of things, but I'll wager a big ole stack of money on this one - Bobby Jindal will NEVER be a major player in American politics (e.g., Vice-President or President). He is WAY too conservative, especially on social issues, to get any support outside of the Deep South (or Utah/Idaho). The winds of change are blowing cold, y'all, and the country is lurching to the left. Bobby Jindal is the last gasp of a dying movement - the conservative movement. You better enjoy him while you can (4 long years, unfortunately). Ça fait, moi, je va dire "Adieu, oh hypocritical right-wing hack with the personality of a brick wall, adieu." TW Written by Tee Dub
on 2/12/2008
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Believe it or not, some prominent conservative commentators, including Rush Limbaugh, are touting Bobby Jindal as a potential Vice Presidential selection for the Republican Party. In fact, Limbaugh is hyping Jindal as the next Ronald Reagan. 
