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Are you ready for Vice President Jindal?

posted at 11:10 am on March 17, 2008 by Allahpundit
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The Headlines item has 65 comments so people obviously want to talk about this. Sell me on it. Why now? He’s been governor for two months; before that he was in Congress for three years; before that he racked up eight years (of impressive accomplishments) in state government. In other words, his resume roughly tracks with Obama’s. How are we going to beat up on the Messiah for his inexperience when our own number two is ten years younger than he is and one 71-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency? If McCain flames out, then we get the “GOP, the next generation” narrative for 2012; as it is, we’re stuck with the “tried and tested” narrative for this election. Besides, barring any Spitzerian lapses, Jindal’s bound to end up on the ticket someday. Why rush him up before he’s had a chance to build a record as an executive?

Do read the Journal piece, though, as it’s a sterling intro to an exceedingly capable guy. I’m importing the comments from the headlines item into this post; take it from there.


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That would be a great choice.
Obama wouldn’t dare cite Jindal’s lack of experience.

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:01 PM

And Jindal has accomplishments. Obama has none.

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:01 PM

There goes the experience argument if McCain does that. Let’s not rush this guy, okay? If he runs for President in 2012, he’ll be at the same starting position that Mitt Romney was in which won’t be good enough because Romney (and Hickabee) will be running again. If Jindal has a successful term, then Mitt will consider him for a running mate.

Greenhorn on March 16, 2008 at 11:04 PM

Let’s not rush Jindal. He just started as governor. Let him bake for a few years. I’m sure he’s a future up and comer; but let’s see what he’s got first.

lorien1973 on March 16, 2008 at 11:05 PM

The article lists a long record of accomplishments as a bureaucrat, legislator, & governor. He has experience.

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:07 PM

Yeah, I kinda think McCain might go with Condi or Steele before Jindal. I’m very glad to see the debate turn to “how McCain can pacify the conservative base”, though.

see-dubya on March 16, 2008 at 11:08 PM

The 10,000,000 Asians in the USA typically vote Democrat. Jindal could change that.

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:10 PM

Jindal could also help McCain take the South. LA usually votes Dem.

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:11 PM

Leave Jindal alone to do his thing. Give him a chance as a governor. Louisiana needs him more right now.

Well-Armed Lamb on March 16, 2008 at 11:12 PM

see-dubya

Condi’s political positions are largely unknown.
Steele lost his last election, though in heavily Dem Maryland that’s not necessarily a huge strike against him.

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:13 PM

Jindal needs a few more years in the saddle; I’d think more the 2016 range for him. Mind you, he’d likely be great, if he can avoid the massive corruption of his home state (which Barrack apparently has not, ala Rezko).

michaelo on March 16, 2008 at 11:17 PM

Forgive me–I mentioned the 10 million Asians in the USA, but probably half of those are children, not voters.

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:19 PM

Too soon, plus someone who could swing PA or Ohio would be the logical choice.

koolbrease on March 16, 2008 at 11:19 PM

It’s a given that Jindal will have a prominent speaking assignment at the convention, right?

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:21 PM

As much as I want Bobby Jindal to be President, I want him to stay in Louisiana to serve his term as Governor. Louisiana needs him more right now. My home state needs this great man. I can wait until 2012 for him. Let him do his job and clean up my home. Louisiana needs its pride back.

Ceroth on March 16, 2008 at 11:22 PM

Just say no to Condi.

Attila (Pillage Idiot) on March 16, 2008 at 11:24 PM

My favorite quote from the link:

Mr. Jindal can balance the ticket. At 36, he has the accomplishments you would expect at 47. Mr. Obama, at 47, has the accomplishments you would expect at 36.

I like him much, but how would the people of Louisiana feel? It’s simply too close to him having taken over the governorship.

Entelechy on March 16, 2008 at 11:30 PM

lorien1973 on March 16, 2008 at 11:05 PM

Agreed

Ceroth on March 16, 2008 at 11:22 PM

Doubly Agreed

Attila (Pillage Idiot) on March 16, 2008 at 11:24 PM

Actually could not agree more. I could try, but it would be fruitless.

exlibris on March 16, 2008 at 11:31 PM

Who would assume the governorship if Jindal became the VP?

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:32 PM

If the base does not rally to McCain after the revelations of the last few days then they are quite irrational.

TheBigOldDog on March 16, 2008 at 11:33 PM

Condi’s political positions are largely unknown.

I know she’s a complete moron when it comes to the Israel-Palestine situation. That alone is enough for me to stay far away from her.

Would anyone seriously consider Michael Steele as VP if he were white? Would anyone outside of Maryland even know who the heck he is? Condi Rice? What has she done lately besides follow the completely unrealistic and foolish Jimmy Carter dream of establishing Middle East peace?

I don’t know much about Jindal (or Steele for that matter), but I do find it interesting that many of the big up-and-coming “stars” of the two major political parties are minorities. It’s as if both Republicans and Democrats are in a race to see who can be the most diverse, anti-racist, and multiculturalist party in the country. The epidemic of liberal white guilt is just about as prevalent in the Republican party these days as it is in the Democratic party. And that doesn’t bode well for the future of this country.

2Brave2Bscared on March 16, 2008 at 11:33 PM

Choosing Jindal as VP at this point would be ridiculous. The central pillar of McCain’s case against Obama will be the latter’s lack of appropriate experience. This argument would be completely undermined by having someone even more inexperienced at the bottom of the ticket.

The_Freeze on March 16, 2008 at 11:35 PM

It sounds good, but I think Louisiana really needs several years of Jindal. Promoting up to VP seems like a way of getting him out of the way and going back to “business as usual” in Louisiana.

crosspatch on March 16, 2008 at 11:36 PM

Short thread with so many great points.

I agree with everyone about Louisiana - they need him now, but we need him on the national ticket asap. Can you think of a quicker way to turn several million Asian voters toward the Light? The guy is absolutely brilliant, and wonderfully conservative. Two-term President and SCOTUS? Dare to dream.

Attila, I couldn’t agree more: Condi is a great lady, and a full blown liberal. No to Condi, see-dub. Why do you like her on the ticket?

Jaibones on March 16, 2008 at 11:37 PM

The_Freeze … Jindal has more experience than either Hillary or Obama. Neither one of them have so much as a single day in the executive branch of government. Jindal has already got a legislative package through his state legislature; something neither Hillary nor Obama have ever done.

crosspatch on March 16, 2008 at 11:38 PM

The_Freeze on March 16, 2008 at 11:35 PM

Nonsense, he has more high-level experience now than most politicians will have in a career.

Jaibones on March 16, 2008 at 11:38 PM

The other part I love is Jindal resetting the bar on what “smart” actually means. Obambi has perverted the word. Because of his affirmative action life, people think he’s a genius. He’ll sound like a knucklehead debating Jindal.

Jaibones on March 16, 2008 at 11:40 PM

Choosing Jindal as VP at this point would be ridiculous. The central pillar of McCain’s case against Obama will be the latter’s lack of appropriate experience. This argument would be completely undermined by having someone even more inexperienced at the bottom of the ticket.

The_Freeze on March 16, 2008 at 11:35 PM

You obviously don’t know much about Mr. Jindal, and apparently haven’t read the linked article either.

Entelechy on March 16, 2008 at 11:41 PM

Who would assume the governorship if Jindal became the VP?

Ugh. Mitch Landrieu, Mary’s little brother.

BJ* on March 16, 2008 at 11:43 PM

We need Bobby to stay down here with us in La. for a few years. He’ll be a super candidate for the future though :)

BJ* on March 16, 2008 at 11:44 PM

Jaibones–

Because I want Jindal to run on his own.

It’s not that I want Condi to run so much as I think she’d be a smart pick for McCain. Yeah, the Israel-Palestine weirdness is a deal-killer for me, but hey, so is McAmnesty’s immigration policy. I may or may not end up voting for him anyway.

see-dubya on March 16, 2008 at 11:46 PM

Too soon. Let’s let him be governor first.

CP on March 16, 2008 at 11:46 PM

crosspatch on March 16, 2008 at 11:38 PM

Jaibones on March 16, 2008 at 11:38 PM

Jindal is being promoted for the same reason that Sarah Palin was (before she got pregnant): in order to compete with the Dems on the women/minority “historic firsts.” There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s no other reason why you’d want someone with less than two years in gubernatorial office on a national ticket.

I think it would be best to stick with someone like Sanford whose experience is more impressive on the merits.

The_Freeze on March 16, 2008 at 11:47 PM

This WSJ piece is laughable. Jindal just barely meets the age requirement (35) and has been governor for only two months!

In ten or fifteen years, he may be a viable presidential (or vice presidential) candidate. Right now it would look like panicky desperation if McCain put him on the ticket.

With the Democrats imploding, all McCain has to do is stay calm and play it smart.

sauropod on March 16, 2008 at 11:47 PM

The_Freeze, please read this article. It’s very enlightening.

Entelechy on March 16, 2008 at 11:49 PM

BTW Jindal may have gotten elected in part over revenge for the D’s mismanagement of Katrina. I still think he needs to prove he can run Louisiana. I don’t expect miracles there, and I expect the national Democrats will try to spike him, but I just want to make sure he can do the job.

see-dubya on March 16, 2008 at 11:51 PM

The other part I love is Jindal resetting the bar on what “smart” actually means. Obambi has perverted the word. Because of his affirmative action life, people think he’s a genius. He’ll sound like a knucklehead debating Jindal.

Jaibones on March 16, 2008 at 11:40 PM

AA might have gotten Obama into Harvard Law, but as the grading system is anonymous, he made Law Review strictly on merit. That’s quite an accomplishment. ‘Course it doesn’t mean that he’s a genius, just that he’s law school smart. Which doesn’t even always translate into being lawyer smart.

exlibris on March 16, 2008 at 11:53 PM

Entelechy on March 16, 2008 at 11:49 PM

I have read both articles on Gov. Jindal. I agree with everyone here that he holds extraordinary promise, and is off to a great start in LA. It’s simply too soon, however, to pull him out of a job that he started only recently. As someone else pointed out, it would probably make McCain look desperate on both the age and diversity fronts. Let him serve at least a full term, at which point he would much more qualified for a national ticket.

The_Freeze on March 16, 2008 at 11:56 PM

The_Freeze on March 16, 2008 at 11:56 PM

On this comment we agree. It’s, however, not what you were arguing before.

Entelechy on March 16, 2008 at 11:58 PM

Entelechy on March 16, 2008 at 11:58 PM

I didn’t mean to suggest that the only reason he is being promoted was because of “diversity”. He obviously has much else going for him.

The_Freeze on March 17, 2008 at 12:02 AM

Forget about it. Jindal knows he needs experience, a record and the proper time and going for VP now would be rushing it.

Jindal won’t do it ’cause he’s too smart to. He’ll do the smart thing and finish LA and if McCain is still around in 2012 maybe jump to a cabinet post, then go for the ring in 2016 when he’s 43-44. So forget about it.

Dusty on March 17, 2008 at 12:14 AM

How McCain can win over the base: Put up the damn fence, fer crissakes. How many times do we have to say it. Put. Up. The. Damn. Fence.

Blake on March 17, 2008 at 12:16 AM

Jindal/Palin ‘08!

its vintage duh on March 17, 2008 at 12:21 AM

[Blake on March 17, 2008 at 12:16 AM]

That would certainly work better than choosing for VP someone he’ll never bother listening to while in office, which is just another reason why Jindal wouldn’t accept the offer.

Dusty on March 17, 2008 at 12:28 AM

This is a bad idea. Too much can go wrong. Gov. Jindal may have a great voting record, but he doesn’t have many actual accomplishments.

Voting on party lines is not an accomplishment. Getting elected is an accomplishment, but it’s not the kind of practical accomplishment I’m talking about.

Actually governing a state, and doing it well–that’s an accomplishment! In fact, that’s been the main accomplishment presidential candidates tout. Allowing him to remain in office will allow him to show that he can govern effectively, and conservatively, at the same time.

Taking him now would prevent him from earning that experience. Voters in LA won’t want someone who abandoned the governorship so quickly. But if he stays, in eight years, Bobby Jindal can be our presidential nominee, and he will be a juggernaut. Assuming he does a good job as governor. I think he will, but that’s no substitute for being able to show actual results.

daryl_herbert on March 17, 2008 at 12:29 AM

“It’s as if both Republicans and Democrats are in a race to see who can be the most diverse, anti-racist, and multiculturalist party in the country.” - 2Brave

Yeah, I don’t know ’bout that. True, the Dems do it, they see everybody as a member of a group, but I think the Pubs view everybody as an individual. Their biggest ‘crime’ is not ‘reaching out’.

Jindal is so popular among Pubs not because he’s Hindu/Indian but because he’s so conservative. Obamatrons even ADMIT that they want him for prez because he’s black.

Tony737 on March 17, 2008 at 12:44 AM

“… in eight years, Bobby Jindal can be our presidential nominee …” - Daryl

How ’bout four years instead? I hope and pray McCain only does four!

Tony737 on March 17, 2008 at 12:47 AM

Leave Jindal in Baton Rouge, he’ll run in 2012 or 2016. Patience will reward us.

doubleplusundead on March 17, 2008 at 12:53 AM

Romney/Jindal 2012!

Tony737 on March 17, 2008 at 1:12 AM

McCain would taint Jindal’s reputation. He’s not well known enough on a national/non blog level to really stand out on his own.

Yeah, I kinda think McCain might go with Condi or Steele before Jindal. I’m very glad to see the debate turn to “how McCain can pacify the conservative base”, though.

see-dubya on March 16, 2008 at 11:08 PM

Let it be Steele.

- The Cat

MirCat on March 17, 2008 at 1:23 AM

Jindal/John Bolton’s Mustache 2012!

doubleplusundead on March 17, 2008 at 1:28 AM

True, the Dems do it, they see everybody as a member of a group, but I think the Pubs view everybody as an individual.

Is that why the Republicans have no problem letting hoards of foreigners enter our country every year? And I’m not talking about illegal immigration, either.

Their biggest ‘crime’ is not ‘reaching out’.

So first you say that Republicans view people as individuals, and then you turn right around in the very next sentence and say that their biggest crime is not “reaching out.” Reaching out to whom? Individuals? No, you mean minority groups.

You can’t have it both ways.

2Brave2Bscared on March 17, 2008 at 1:47 AM

Let it be Steele.

Gotta have a minority on the ticket! Else people might think we’re racist!

2Brave2Bscared on March 17, 2008 at 1:48 AM

Louisiana deserves a break, let them keep Jindal for a while. I do think that Mac would do well to find somebody with Exec experience. The minority thing would be too obvious at this point if it was a black man. Any good hispanic choices out there? A strong Cuban maybe?

TBinSTL on March 17, 2008 at 3:10 AM

As much as I want Bobby Jindal to be President, I want him to stay in Louisiana to serve his term as Governor. Louisiana needs him more right now. My home state needs this great man. I can wait until 2012 for him. Let him do his job and clean up my home. Louisiana needs its pride back.

Ceroth on March 16, 2008 at 11:22 PM

I like him much, but how would the people of Louisiana feel? It’s simply too close to him having taken over the governorship.

Entelechy on March 16, 2008 at 11:30 PM

Yes. Please let us keep our Governor for just a bit longer.

If for no other reason than this:

Who would assume the governorship if Jindal became the VP?
Ugh. Mitch Landrieu, Mary’s little brother.

BJ* on March 16, 2008 at 11:43 PM

soundingboard on March 17, 2008 at 4:10 AM

Would anyone seriously consider Michael Steele as VP if he were white? Would anyone outside of Maryland even know who the heck he is? Condi Rice? What has she done lately besides follow the completely unrealistic and foolish Jimmy Carter dream of establishing Middle East peace?

I don’t know much about Jindal (or Steele for that matter), but I do find it interesting that many of the big up-and-coming “stars” of the two major political parties are minorities. It’s as if both Republicans and Democrats are in a race to see who can be the most diverse, anti-racist, and multiculturalist party in the country. The epidemic of liberal white guilt is just about as prevalent in the Republican party these days as it is in the Democratic party. And that doesn’t bode well for the future of this country.

Then again, maybe you’re just a jerk who needs to educate himself. You may be brave, but a bit stuck on stupid as well. Youtube is your friend, and last time I checked it’s still free. There are plenty of Steele speeches there, and no reason to doubt he believes what he says. The dude is no cipher. Nominating a minority might bother you, but pandering to your ilk is worse imo.

rhodeymark on March 17, 2008 at 6:39 AM

I am completely against this idea. Jindal hasn’t been Gov. long enough to get the things accomplished that he wants to do. It would not be right of him to quit his hard won governorship before it even starts.

Only Democrats run for a position they KNOW they have no intention of fulfilling. RFK who became senator and immediately began to run for president, Hillary, Obama doing the same things.

No, we need to let Jindal accomplish things in LA first. He is young and has a bright future. Let’s not destroy it by making him run for VP this early.

Warner Todd Huston on March 17, 2008 at 6:52 AM

Bobby Jindal would never do this.

He REALLY means to be a good Governor of LA and that is what he will do.

EJDolbow on March 17, 2008 at 7:10 AM

Let it be Steele.

- The Cat

MirCat on March 17, 2008 at 1:23 AM

How is a Moderate/Liberal Republican going to help McCain with Convservatives?

EJDolbow on March 17, 2008 at 7:12 AM

How is a Moderate/Liberal Republican going to help McCain with Convservatives?

EJDolbow on March 17, 2008 at 7:12 AM

It wouldn’t. That’s why I said Steele.

- The Cat

P.S. Nice try though.

MirCat on March 17, 2008 at 8:46 AM

For better or worse, I honestly believe it’s going to be Crist for veep. Jindal is a great guy, but I agree that he has to “bake” for a little while…he’s too young.

Again, I don’t think any veep is going to be important in a McCain administration.

JetBoy on March 17, 2008 at 8:47 AM

Jindal will decline according to an interview on the Laura Ingraham show when asked this very question. He says he has too much work to do for the State of Louisiana. He would be a fantastic pick.

carbon_footprint on March 17, 2008 at 9:13 AM

see-dubya on March 16, 2008 at 11:46 PM

I think you have it right, see-dubya. Jindal on his own schedule and at the top of his own ticket makes much more sense. If he’s the real deal, it will be evident after a few years in charge of that political cess pool LA.

Hope you’re kidding about McCain. Many of us are severe critics of his, but in the light of day he is infinitely better than either of the socialists on the other side.

Jaibones on March 17, 2008 at 9:30 AM

I agree with the consensus of this thread. But at least this article gives him some name recognition. He’ll be somebody to watch. Those who will need to pray for him.

davidk on March 17, 2008 at 9:50 AM

Louisiana needs Jindal! His work for Louisiana has just begun. For the first time since the end of Reconstruction, Louisiana has a viable Republican party! Louisianians’ frankly were cheated in 2004 when Jindal narrowly lost in a run off with Blanco after a last minute smear campaign which included underhanded racist appeals in North Louisiana by the same corrupt Democrat machine which has kept Louisiana corrupt, poor, and under a mexico-like, one party rule since the dirtiest election in American history, that of Tilden vs. Hayes in 1884.

A man of Jindal’s talents and brilliance would be waisted in the VP role of a McCain administration whose policies Jindal would become tied to, and which will in no way express Jindal’s constervatism. Conservatives and Republicans of Louisiana have been praying for this moment of liberation from the corrupt, one party rule of the Democrat party of the Long and Edwards machines, and in particular, of our guy, Bobby Jindal for many, many, years, long before, I might add, most on the National scene, can have possibly heard his name.

Yes, Bobby Jindal presents great hope, to the conservative movement and the future of the Republican party and a presidential run does look promising indeed. But he should never be confined to a VP role and is far more needed in Louisiana which is certain to vote republican regaurdless of who is the VP candidate.

Nyog_of_the_Bog on March 17, 2008 at 10:05 AM

He should stay in LA for a term or two, then consider the top of the ticket instead of the bottom. His stances seem to be conservative, his popularity high, so what he needs to get is experience.

amerpundit on March 17, 2008 at 11:15 AM

Leave Jindal where he is. There are other picks out there that are just as good for McCain.

Roebuck on March 17, 2008 at 11:17 AM

In other words, his resume roughly tracks with Obama’s.

Allah

Except for the niggling detail that Jindal has actually accomplished something. That said, I agree … leave him in Louisiana. Maybe he can fix it.

Jaibones on March 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Give him at least a term or two as governor. If he comes even close to cleaning up the cesspool of Louisiana, the sky’s the limit.

He only 36. plenty of time.

JammieWearingFool on March 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Let the man create a legacy first.

Too soon.

jake-the-goose on March 17, 2008 at 11:20 AM

McCain needs to go with a known conservative instead of making a melanin pick, or else the delegates need to do the job for him.

Buddahpundit on March 17, 2008 at 11:21 AM

If he does well in Louisiana, he’s golden. Let’s not screw that up by rushing him.

frankj on March 17, 2008 at 11:21 AM

JammieWearingFool on March 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Yeah I’m more interested to see what he can do vis-a-vis the corruption in Louisiana than having him as veep. If he can clean out that swamp, he’ll be unstoppable in 2012 or 2016 on a reform platform. And by that time we’ll probably be really hurting for real reform, and he can clean out the big Swamp.

apollyonbob on March 17, 2008 at 11:22 AM

I weighed in on Friday: He should be at the top of the ticket in 2012, not second banana to McCain.

Michelle on March 17, 2008 at 11:24 AM

I really like him, but I agree, he needs time. I’d hate to see that much potential risk flaming out as another Dan Quayle.

Michael Steele, who I also really like, also doesn’t have enough experience. Hopefully both of them will be able to keep their clear-eyed, outside-the-beltway competence for a few more years.

Tanya on March 17, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Condi is pro-choice. How does that help?

Also, Jindal will not accept the VP spot. He is a man of integrity and he will live up to his promise to the people of Louisiana.

EJDolbow on March 17, 2008 at 11:28 AM

Michael Steele, who I also really like, also doesn’t have enough experience. Hopefully both of them will be able to keep their clear-eyed, outside-the-beltway competence for a few more years.

Tanya on March 17, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Wait…we always say that being a Governor is a good experience for being President…why isn’t being a Lieutenant Governor good experience for being Vice President?

James on March 17, 2008 at 11:28 AM

McCain needs to name Steele before the Dems are through with their cannibal festival. It would only further complicate the race issue amongst the Dems.

windbag on March 17, 2008 at 11:29 AM

Yeah, no need to rush Bobby J. We need to get a deeper bench. We need to use him to bump up Conservatives in other places.

Iblis on March 17, 2008 at 11:29 AM

Michelle on March 17, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Not to mention as I did in my post above, that,

A man of Jindal’s talents and brilliance would be waisted in the VP role of a McCain administration whose policies Jindal would become tied to, and which will in no way express Jindal’s constervatism.

Nyog_of_the_Bog on March 17, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Too soon.

Believe me, I’m a big fan of the guy. However, both he and the GOP are better off waiting and letting him build his resume and some momentum. Let the bread rise before you pull it out of the oven.

Maybe 2012 or 2016.

thirteen28 on March 17, 2008 at 11:30 AM

I weighed in on Friday: He should be at the top of the ticket in 2012, not second banana to McCain.

Michelle on March 17, 2008 at 11:24 AM

You would rather Jindal be in the White House over McCain?

Oh, Michelle…And I think you, and others ’round here, will be (hopefully) pleasantly surprised at a McCain presidency.

Too many conservatives are reading McCain all wrong.

JetBoy on March 17, 2008 at 11:31 AM

Keep McShamnesty away from Bobby! He’ll be our guy in due time (if there’s anything left of our country).

Darksean on March 17, 2008 at 11:31 AM

Reaching for Jindal shows how thin the GOP’s Presidential bench is. Louisiana needs help. Jindal will be that much stronger if he can get that state out of its post-Katrina doldrums.

seanhackbarth on March 17, 2008 at 11:32 AM

Gov. Jindal just took office. He needs to stay in Louisiana and fix that state. He owes that to the people of Louisiana.

NoDonkey on March 17, 2008 at 11:33 AM

Lets see how he does as governor for a few years first.

JeffinSac on March 17, 2008 at 11:33 AM

Give him some years of experience as governor people.

If you want someone with impressive conservative credentials and little to no experience, pick me.

Nethicus on March 17, 2008 at 11:34 AM

Jindal would be good, but he has already said that he wants to deal with LA issues before he considers anything else. Can we say Jindal ‘16

ConservativePartyNow on March 17, 2008 at 11:35 AM

We’d be making the same mistake with Jindal that the Democrats made with Obama - running him too early. I think Dems got excited after 2004 because their chances looked so grim, and we might be seeing an unraveling here that might not destroy Obama if he loses and runs in future races, but will certainly tarnish the “Messiah” reputation. Besides, Jindal seems to concerned with doing his job (leading the state of Louisiana) to drop it all and run on a ticket. Obama on the other hand…hubris, anyone?

warrenmr on March 17, 2008 at 11:35 AM

I agree: let Lousiana benefit from having Jindal as governor for now. He has a heckuva job ahead of him cleaning up the mess there. I’ll be keeping him in mind for higher officer later, but not right now.

JohnAGJ on March 17, 2008 at 11:36 AM

Obama wouldn’t dare cite Jindal’s lack of experience.

jgapinoy on March 16, 2008 at 11:01 PM

Why level the playing field in an area we’re already winning (experience). That would mean McCain could no longer cite Obama’s lack of experience. Not a good move.

MikeZero on March 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM

Leave Bobby Alone!

We need him down here and he already has done more in two special sessions than Kathleen Blanco did in four years of bad stewardship!!! Plus, he just is getting started. Four or even eight years as governor will give him far more credibility than a few months in office.

Now, if the national parties are shopping around Louisiana for candidates, I’d be willing to do without William Jefferson as my Congressman and Mary Landrieu or David Vitter as my Senator. Ray Nagin is also available.

highhopes on March 17, 2008 at 11:38 AM

Just repeating a lot of folks here. Bobby needs to show us what he can do in Louisiana. If he survives a term there and becomes a popular conservative in a Donk state he can write his on ticket nationally. His wife will also be an incredible assest.

JonRoss on March 17, 2008 at 11:38 AM

Can’t we get Steele or JC Watts for VP? They are tested and they will have some negating factor in the race area. They can make the attacks that McCain and the “white” conservatives can’t.

I like Jindal, but he needs to build up a resume a bit longer.

Tim Burton on March 17, 2008 at 11:42 AM

Yes, again–Lousiana needs him more right now.

This election is going to get nastier. McCain needs a battle-hardened conservative who is not afraid to mix it up and who can keep a McCain administration on track.

davidk on March 17, 2008 at 11:43 AM

He was one of the best Asst. Secretaries for Planning and Evaluation that HHS ever had, even as a relatively short term appointment. My hardcore D colleagues who worked with him evaluating HHS programs agree with that. That’s serious Executive Branch experience.

DrSteve on March 17, 2008 at 11:48 AM

I heartily agree with Allahpundit. As much as I’d think Jindal would be a good choice for President or VP, his time is not now. At the risk of sounding naive, he hasn’t done his Great Works in Louisiana yet. He went in there to “clean up” the state. I don’t know what he’s managed in three months, but I’m sure it doesn’t qualify him for a big office in the West Wing.

Furthermore, the same reason Obama would probably never agree to be Clinton’s VP applies to Jindal and McCain. Why should he attach himself to a loser? Right now, the election looks like a 50/50 proposition. Why would he risk a coin flip to end up associated with a losing ticket?

And why would we want a VP candidate who would take away from us all the advantages we have over Obama right now?

“The epidemic of liberal white guilt is just about as prevalent in the Republican party these days as it is in the Democratic party…”

No. We like these candidates because they can get elected and push the conservative movement and our racialized politics forward. The liberals actually feel it is their duty to support candidates based on skin color and gender. There’s a difference.

HitNRun on March 17, 2008 at 11:48 AM

This thread is a moot conversation. There is zero possibility of “Vice-President Jindal”

McCain took his top VP picks with him on his trip to Iraq. Cheyney went, too. While there is probably imporant stuff to discuss over there, it also provides cover for other meetings that you weren’t told about. I’d like to know exactly who McCain met with on this trip.

Cheney is part of the Trilateral Commission. This isn’t conspiracy theory, it’s conspiracy reality.

Red Pill on March 17, 2008 at 11:53 AM

You would rather Jindal be in the White House over McCain?

Oh, Michelle…And I think you, and others ’round here, will be (hopefully) pleasantly surprised at a McCain presidency.

Too many conservatives are reading McCain all wrong.

JetBoy on March 17, 2008 at 11:31 AM

Explain to me how to misread his violation of the First Amendment?

Tim Burton on March 17, 2008 at 11:55 AM

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