In a column written by William Kristol this weekend in the New York Times, Bobby Jindal could still be on John McCain’s mind.
Kristol said he talked to high level McCain officials and the VP pick probably won’t be announced until the Republican convention.Kristol acknowledges there are others on the list but said about the Louisiana Governor, “The public wants change but is nervous about Obama. Why not allow people to vote for experience and the next generation of leadership at the same time?
This implies a young and different V.P.: the 37-year-old governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal; 44-year-old Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska; or Eric Cantor, the 45-year-old Virginia congressman. Party pros would have fainting spells about the unseasoned Jindal and Palin in particular — but party pros are often wrong, and if Jindal or Palin performed well as candidates, the upside would be considerable.
The two young governors also have this advantage: They’re very popular with conservatives, especially social conservatives. And they’re real reformers. They’ve begun to do in Baton Rouge and Juneau what many voters would like to see done in Washington. Principled conservatism and vigorous reform could be a winning combination.”
Last week, Jindal, while in South Carolina while on a Nucor economic development trip said he had no “intent” to be vice president and continued his mantra that he will not be VP and that he has the job he wants.
The Kristol column draws the obvious questions:Why do leading national Republicans writers still continue to dredge up Jindal’s name as a contender?If the Governor means what he might be trying to say, what can he do to halt the “Jindal For VP” swing dance?Is Jindal’s name remaining in the national media for the VP partnership impacting economic development efforts and undermining his own efforts at home on domestic issues?
Perhaps, his name keeps coming up because the conservatives want him and the guessing is fed by the lack of absolutely definitive “no’s” by the Governor.Maybe people like Kristol read phrases such as “intent” as being non-definitive and political.However, there is little doubt that the VP mystery can put a cloud over Jindal’s own administration.A major official in Baton Rouge told me recently that he/she (I won’t tell the gender to protect the innocent) went to work for Jindal, not Mitch Landrieu.
There is the argument that even if the Governor were to say those magic words, “I absolutely will refuse any offer to be VP or cabinet position no matter what, even if offered the positions”, it is possible that pundits and John McCain’s staff will still bring up his name.Yet, it is also likely, if the Governor still utters wiggle words, politicos will continue their “two-step” prance.
Assuming the accuracy of Kristol’s statement, with McCain appearing to be waiting until the convention before announcing, we will continue to hear and read speculative statements for another month, if not longer if Jindal and McCain have designs for a Jindal cabinet seat .McCain has the ultimate decision to ask and the Governor would have the ultimate decision to decline, should he be given the opportunity to do so.
Meantime, whether Jindal has done enough to fend off all speculations, apparently his name for now is still on the list.So, perhaps it would better for him to be more definitive in his actions and not just express his “intent” which ultimately means little.True, the VP mystery dance won’t be over until McCain picks and should it be Jindal, until the Louisiana Governor declines.But, in the meantime, Louisiana citizens, and those working for the administration and possibly those looking to invest in Louisiana will simply have to wait out the “VP dance”.Yes, it appears we only have one more month to go before we hear no “mo” about this VP issue.And, yes, it is possible the new guessing pivot would be a national cabinet position should McCain pick someone else for Veep and should the Arizona US Senator prevail come November.But, if the Governor would be more definitive in his comments, just maybe, national writers who have high level contacts with the “team McCain” will stop raising the Jindal banner and Louisiana officials will not be wondering if they will not be hitching their careers with Mitch.
I'm not aware of much of anyone using his name......... Except around Louisiana... Oh well, little Bobby Brad....... er uh,,,, Piyush got his chance in the national spotlight, hasn't accomplished much, and he probably would rather just fade away, except for when it comes time to beg more money from the 'Congress' for our 'progress'...... Written by
on 8/4/2008
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The republicans and their vocal front just want to pretend that they are a diverse party by using Jindal's name. Jindal could care less about the presidential election this year since McCain is going to loose no matter who is his VP choice. Even if Jindal refuses explicitly (I think he already has), the republicans will still use his name. This will go on and on and on until someone is actually nominated. This Jindal VP speculation has no wings. Written by Buzzing Back
on 8/4/2008
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Obama proposes tapping oil stockpiles ….. By TOM RAUM,….. Associated Press Writer……. 23 minutes ago …… LANSING, Mich. - - - - -- Obama's new proposal, though, includes two significant reversals of positions he has taken in the past: He had steadfastly fought the idea of limited new offshore drilling and was against tapping the nation's emergency oil stockpile to relieve pump prices that have stubbornly hovered around $4 a gallon……. Not only did Obama push for drawing from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, he also reiterated his changing position on offshore drilling/ ******** Yeah I just luv that Oblah-blah, he’ll say anything in hopes of getting stupid people to vote for him, including giving them a thousand bucks for their vote………. What a total Nazi propagandist – information/disinformation spewer sewer……………. Written by
on 8/4/2008
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Right on KPF. Like minds, eh? If the apathy and ignorance doesn't kill us then the government damn sure will! Written by wantabefree
on 8/4/2008
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wantabefree, I also was a republican (who didn't always vote that way) but changed my affiliation to independent as I also came to realize that there is little difference between the two parties and that much of that "difference" is merely the illusion of "choice" which conceals the moneyed interests that controls both political parties. I also agree that the prognosis is extremely poor. Ron Paul has been discredited by the two major parties and the media but perhaps everyday people will get more involved due to "alternative" (internet) sources of news and views. Unfortunately probably not enough of them as far too many see government as their insurance against all bad outcomes instead of viewing legislators as people in positions of power who require oversight. Time will tell. Written by kpf
on 8/4/2008
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Jindal is campaigning for the position behind the scene. If he didn't want to be considered he would not have gone to McCain's ranch Memorial Day weekend. What Jindal says publicly and what he says privately are two different things. Written by David Quidd
on 8/4/2008
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Here we go with more Jindal pfp0pfpfpfptttptppptttt.................. Probably going to get some closure on this lame rumor or sensationalist ribbing after the Chinese are done with their little games over there in September..... Written by
on 8/4/2008
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This is obviously something that Bobby very much wants to happen. That being said, there is NO ONE that McInsane could pick that would compel me to vote for him, especially after the way Jindal waffled, lied, cajoled and moaned about the pay increase issue until the national press and the people of Louisiana finally forced him to kill it. I voted for Jindal with the naive hope that maybe he'd be true to his word regarding reform in Louisiana but I have become more convinced that his only intent is to build his own political aspirations at whatever price necessary. In other words, just another career politician. The similarity between the staff he's surrounded himself with and the actions they exhibit so mirror those of George W. Bush it is sickening. When in doubt hide, distort, lie, etc. but do anything rather than be truthful. And I was a lifelong republican (who doesn't always vote that way) until I witnessed the manipulations of the LAGOP this year. I am changing my affiliation to independent mainly because I've come to realize that there is minimal difference between the two parties but they must keep up that appearance in order to keep our country divided so they can hide the real issue that we are all Americans interested only in doing what is best and proper for ourselves, children, each other and the rest of the world. Barack Obama will probably be our next president but don't expect anything to change. I won't be voting for him either as the only change he represents is one of face. If you look at the voting records of either of the preordained you would not be able to tell one from the other if the name weren't on it. It pains me to realize that this country that I love so much is seriously ill, on life support, and the prognosis is extremely poor. I do know this: the only hope for our country is for the everyday person to get involved, throw out the bums in Baton Rouge and Washington and take back our country from those who seek to control our very lives. This must be done for our children's sake. I fear we may already be too late but human nature demands that we keep on trying. Read Ron Paul's "The Revolution, A Manisfesto" if you are interested in a starting point. It will remind you of all that we strive for our country to be without any political party BS. It's a damn shame that the main stream media left us with no viable candidates to vote for, just the next in line tools, but my next naive belief is that men and women do exist who sincerely want what's best for the public rather than themselves. Those of you who qualify please stand up and hope that the entrenched parties can't slap you down. Written by wantabefree
on 8/4/2008
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It’s the “ol” credibility promenade.
