Louisiana Jindal, John McCain Escapade

The shockwaves that hit Louisiana over Bobby Jindal’s trip to Arizona should not have been unexpected. Nor should there have been a Team Jindal “coverup”.

The national news media ran stories about Jindal and others meeting with John McCain this weekend and suggested VP talks, quoting well-placed republicans.

Another national media story said other people other than VP candidates would be attending what might now be called “Camp McCain”.

The Team Jindal then acknowledged the trip but was silent about any vice presidency talk.

I talked to a very high-ranking Republican with knowledge who confirmed that the talks were about the Republican VP. That person did not want to go on record.

I wrote a column asking Team Jindal to be honest about their press releases and the reasons for the invitation to Camp McCain. Ironically, what undermined Buddy Roemer, another reform Governor was that many began to not believe or trust what he had to say and I feared the same would start to occur with Bobby Jindal. Roemer is a major aide to John McCain here in Louisiana.

The McCain campaign then through a spokesperson then said the Memorial Day event would be a gathering a not a Vice President hunt. We all are able to accept or reject the McCain’s spokesperson’s statement as being straight-forward or damage control..

WWL, through Clancy Dubos reported last night that Jindal was paying his own McCain trip through campaign funds, not state funds. In my view, the trip was about getting media exposure for McCain and talking to possible Vice President candidates (including Jindal). In my view, the idea that the trip was only about “recovery” was undermined by my private conversation with a major Louisiana Republican with knowledge and by Clancy Dubos of Gambit and WWL.

Jindal who has a tremendous amount to offer Louisiana and America should stay home and finish his term. Many Republicans agree with me. Some of them do not want Mitch Landrieu to be Governor.

Although I have not discussed the issue with Mitch Landrieu, I would suppose if Landrieu were to be Governor, he would immediately remove many Jindal appointees from their jobs and possibly from boards and commissions, if legal. We would be starting over again.

While I believe Bobby Jindal is a long-shot for the Vice Presidency, I believe, once again, he should say thanks but no thanks to John McCain. Some believe that Jindal’s vice presidency would be great for Louisiana. I think that being Vice President is not the same as being President and even states like Arkansas haven’t hit the big top after years of native son Presidents. Look at Bill Clinton and Arkansas.

This entire Jindal-Presidency matter should just evaporate. He is needed here more than he is needed nationally. While Mitch Landrieu has done a terrific job as Lt. Governor, and in my view would also make a great Governor, I believe Bobby Jindal should continue what he started. While I know others disagree, an active Governor with credibility can do more for Louisiana from the Louisiana State house than the White House.

New York Times: McCain Looks to Fill Ticket, and 3 Hopefuls Step Up

Louisiana Gov Bobby Jindal, John McCain and Credibility

Who Is the Louisiana Woman Of The Year?

_____________________________________________
_________________Advertisement________________

______________________________________________