Let him clean up Louisiana first
posted at 9:20 am on May 5, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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William Kristol writes today that Bobby Jindal’s time has come for a spot on the national ticket as John McCain’s VP. He says that people from Team McCain have begun floating Jindal’s name, and Kristol believes they have good reason to do so. It gives McCain a youth edge in the event he has to run against Barack Obama:
Another McCain staffer called my attention to this finding in the latest Fox News poll: McCain led Obama in the straight match-up, 46 to 43. Voters were then asked to choose between two tickets, McCain-Romney vs. Obama-Clinton. Obama-Clinton won 47 to 41.
That reversal of a three-point McCain lead to a six-point deficit for the McCain ticket suggests what might happen (a) when the Democrats unite, and (b) if McCain were to choose a conventional running mate, who, as it were, reinforced the Republican brand for the ticket. As the McCain aide put it, this is what will happen if we run a traditional campaign; our numbers will gradually regress toward the (losing) generic Republican number.
Maybe that’s why, in separate conversations last week, no fewer than four McCain staffers and advisers mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick the 36-year-old Louisiana governor, Bobby Jindal. They’re tempted by the idea of picking someone so young, with real accomplishments and a strong reformist streak.
It might also be a way to confront the issue of McCain’s age (71), which private polls and focus groups suggest could be a real problem. A Jindal pick would implicitly acknowledge the questions and raise the ante. The message would be: “You want generational change? You can get it with McCain-Jindal — without risking a liberal and inexperienced Obama as commander in chief.” I would add that it was after McCain spent considerable time with Jindal in New Orleans recently, and reportedly found him, as he has before, personally engaging and intellectually impressive, that the campaign’s informal name-dropping of Jindal began.
Allow me to throw some cold water on this notion. While Jindal does appear to have promise for a national campaign, the man is almost a decade younger than Barack Obama, whose own inexperience has led to a remarkable series of stumbles and gaffes. Jindal has not been tested at all on the national stage, and indeed just took office as Governor a few months ago. Have we not learned from the Obama mess about pushing young talent to the fore too quickly?
One of the main themes the Republicans can use against Obama in the general election is his lack of experience. He only has three years in the Senate, and seven years of mainly undistinguished service in the Illinois legislature. How does Jindal stack up against that? He has three years in the House and three months as Governor. If Republicans want to use experience and leadership as themes in this election, especially in executive positions, the selection of Jindal all but negates them.
McCain has other choices for youth and energy, notably Tim Pawlenty and Mark Sanford, both of whom have two terms as governors of their states. Both men have national stature, and both could reach different parts of the GOP coalition that may elude McCain at the moment. More critically, they both have experience in difficult political battles, and have proven their mettle repeatedly in electoral politics. Jindal could outshine both, but not until he has an opportunity to succeed for at least a full term in Louisiana. Three months of executive experience is three months more than Obama has, but no one will take that as a serious difference in 2008.
Let’s give Jindal an opportunity to build a truly impressive track record before throwing him to the wolves in 2008. Just as it was for Barack Obama, 2008 is too early in Jindal’s career to expose him to the brutal and defining nature of a national campaign.
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Yep, agree.
Mr. Bingley on May 5, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Pawlenty? Not another RINO!
malan89 on May 5, 2008 at 9:27 AM
I like what Bobby Jindal appears to be. Good Catholic kid, studied hard, worked hard. Charismatic.
Sounds a lot, other than Catholic, like how Obama used to be described.
As Ed said, let Bobby clean up Nawlins aond Luzianne first. Then, he’ll *really* have something to brag about.
Good kid, though. Definitely one to watch.
Mew
acat on May 5, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Well said, Ed. Sure, the guy has got a lot of people excited but what has he done? Besides, if he is as good as people hope he is, Louisiana could really use him.
MikeZero on May 5, 2008 at 9:28 AM
A couple of years ago Bobby Jindal delivered his own baby when nobody was around to help.
I am with Ed, let him help deliver LA to the modern times and perhaps set it on the right track before jerking him away from there.
Imagine THAT campaign slogan in 2012 or 2016!
Gov Jindal, the man who rescued LA now is going to rescue the USA.
EJDolbow on May 5, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Give his a few more years.
right2bright on May 5, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Stop bringing up Pawlenty, his is not going to make Conservatives happy.
Mark Sanford would be great!
EJDolbow on May 5, 2008 at 9:34 AM
.
The answer is ‘a’
Think_b4_speaking on May 5, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Spot on, Ed.
JammieWearingFool on May 5, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Tim Pawlenty. Yeah, I feel better already.
You’re right about Jindal, though. How would it look if he abandoned the state that just elected him?
joewm315 on May 5, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Yep. Let him do his job in Louisiana first.
Weight of Glory on May 5, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Gravitas.
Akzed on May 5, 2008 at 9:41 AM
He’s going to need a new barber.
ronsfi on May 5, 2008 at 9:42 AM
I’ve heard good things about Jindal, from the little I know of him he sounds like he might be a real conservative. That would be nice for a change. I read something last night that said McCain was a gun-grabber too, I wouldn’t doubt it.
I saw that the Rothschilds put on a little party for McCain a few days ago, isn’t that nice.
Maxx on May 5, 2008 at 9:42 AM
I see your point Ed about letting Jindal have some sort of changes in the state and all, but we have to remember Jindal had previous accomplishments that far exceed those of Obama. Also, this is going to be a tough election season, we need someone who could get the base excited and invigorated enough to defeat the liberals. Pawlenty and Sanford are not exciting enough for me.
jencab on May 5, 2008 at 9:43 AM
William Kristol!
Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid!
Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid!
mymanpotsandpans on May 5, 2008 at 9:43 AM
There’s no doubt that Bobby Jindal is a rising star in a party that is sorely lacking in rising stars. As tempting as Jindal may be on the surface, he does need time to prove himself. Jindal ran for governor twice, both times promising to clean up Louisiana, and after Blanco’s blundering, he was given the chance the second time. Four years from now, instead of PROMISING to clean up Louisiana, he might be able to claim that he CLEANED up Louisiana, and could boast a record of “getting things done”, and be an attractive candidate for national office.
Kristol is right about one thing–McCain should not pick Romney as his VP nominee. Romney is energetic, young-looking, and a good speaker, but he fails to connect with the public, despite all the money he threw into his campaign. If McCain is elected President, Romney should definitely be included in his Cabinet–Treasury Secretary would be a good spot for him.
McCain should probably wait until the Democrat nomination is settled before choosing a VP nominee, unless it goes all the way to the convention. If Obama wins the nomination, one interesting VP possibility would be former Lt. Governor (MD) Michael Steele.
Steve Z on May 5, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Let Louisiana learn what a Conservative can do first.
Maquis on May 5, 2008 at 9:46 AM
The comparison to Obama regarding ‘experience’ is pretty silly when you look side by side at their individual accomplishments. Jindal’s resume is quite extensive. So much so it could honestly be compared to John Kennedy’s.
EduardoOTI on May 5, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Jindal will be great in the future. Romney is the man for the job today!
davenp35 on May 5, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Let him cut his teeth in LA. If he gets elected president he’ll only have a max of 8 years anyway, and they need to be the most productive 8 years of his life. Give him some more time to gain the experience he will need to be the most effective president he can be.
JeffC_95 on May 5, 2008 at 9:51 AM
Jindal told Leno that although he’s flattered by all the VP talk, he wants to clean up LA first. He said this himself, so why is everyone still pushing the issue?
Miss_Anthrope on May 5, 2008 at 9:52 AM
If Obama is the nominee, the best VP pick for McCain would be Kay Bailey Hutchinson. That would keep the split through November; young enough but also experienced and would add a little more conservatism to the ticket without being totally out of line with McCain.
michaelo on May 5, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Funny, Bill Kristol has been in the McCain camp since the begining. Now that he looks weak and old, Kristol wants to find someone to prop him up, like a stage dummy, long enough to win the election. Nope, let McCain and the North East Republicrat coalition loose on their own. I rather have 4 years of Hillary and a party awakening, than 4 years of McCain and sink further into Europistan. After all, is took 4 years of Jimmy Carter to give us Ronaldus Maximus.
rarbolay on May 5, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Going back 15 years Kristol has a habit of occasionally letting his excitement get carried away when he comes up with an idea, and hits the “send” button before he’s had a chance to think it through.
If Louisana under Jindal produces a turnaround similar to what Giuliani did during his first term as mayor in New York, then if McCain loses this fall you can start looking at him for national office in 2012, or (if McCain wins and seeks a second term) 2016. He’ll still be in his 40s then, but unlike Obama or Hillary, will have tangable accomplishments to run on, instead of hype and media infatuation.
jon1979 on May 5, 2008 at 10:00 AM
If Jindal can cut through the muck and mire of Louisiana politics to actually reform government, Jindal would make an effective leader in any banana republic in this hemisphere, even the United States government.
New Orleans would be the big test (Huey P. Long undermined New Orleans government for a period of time, but for what gain?) to Jindal’s fortitude and management ability. The Big Easy needs strong, positive leadership, something that’s been missing since the 50s.
saved on May 5, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Jindal needs to prove his conservative credentials first. Let him have a chance to clean the place up.
He’s been quick to do a few things but he has to battle two legislative bodies that are majority Democrat. I’m still not convinced the ethics reform passed earlier this year is all that it’s cracked up to be. The Dems will do anything they can to undermine him and he must clean up a Louisiana gov’t that is bloated and corrupt.
Give him some time. If he can turn Louisiana around he’ll make the Obama messiah phenomenon look like Millie/Vanilly.
roux on May 5, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Actually, while Jindal is indeed, far younger than Obama, the comparison’s ends there as Jindal’s accomplishments in government already far out pace Obama’s record to date. And for that matter, Hillary’s.
Jindal needs to remain in Louisiana because:
1) Louisiana needs him more. For Louisiana, this is crunch time. For Louisiana, its do or die, NOW! This is a Historic opportunity which won’t come again in our life times if ever.
2) Regaurdless of what comes of the McCain Candidacy, Jindal needs to be tied to the Rhino McCain, like Reagan needed to be tied to the Machiavellian Nixon.
3) Louisiana will provide the best Acid Test that any political environment in the country could provide a potential, republican presidential candidate in the future.
Nyog_of_the_Bog on May 5, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Exactly. A two term Jindal with a great track record can be at the top of the ticket 2016.
I saw Jindal on Leno, I can see why he won, he is a true Lousianan, accent and all.
Theworldisnotenough on May 5, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Ed, I tend to agree, but Jindal has something BO doesn’t, despite being years younger: a long string of impressive accomplishments.
jgapinoy on May 5, 2008 at 10:02 AM
He’s not ready for the national arena yet. If he can clean up the corrupt hell-hole known as Lousiana, then he’ll be ripe for the national stage in a few years.
Vic on May 5, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Sorry, but to me, that’s without question the silliest ongoing assumption of this entire campaign season. When Carter was elected, we all knew who Ronald Reagan was.
Reagan was a once-in-a-lifetime great leader. If he wasn’t around after Carter, who would have cleaned up the mess? It wasn’t Carter who created Reagan. It was Reagan.
To anyone assuming that we can just easily tank it this fall and RWR Jr. will materialize out of thin air, ride in on his gleaming white charger and fix it all, I’d say you’re living in a pretty dangerous fantasy, and I’d rather not be a part of it.
Typhoon on May 5, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Not to mention, at the first hint of a gaffe by Jindal, he’ll end up being Quayle Part Deux.
MadisonConservative on May 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Let Jindal give a prime-time speech during the convention.
jgapinoy on May 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Over the years, I’ve discovered anything Kristol is for, I’m against. Don’t like him, don’t trust him.
Romney should decline any place in a McCain ticket, administration. They’re working too hard to undermine him early on. Not a pretty sight when Republicans consistently eat their own, especially the genetic successes.
Where I come from, Romney connected, despite the massive media campaign against him by the Republican National Committee and its honcho in Kentucky. Let’s compare apples to apples on who kneecapped Romney.
eaglesdontflock on May 5, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Regarding Mitt, he needs some time as well. Namely, time as a conservative. For most of his career he’s been a Mass. liberal, allegedly changing his stripes only for national politics.
jgapinoy on May 5, 2008 at 10:06 AM
As much as I love Reagan, that’s wrong. Reagan was a former Hollywood actor, who also used to be a democrat. Carter made this country WANT someone like Reagan, and Reagan was there. If Reagan ran today, he’d be dismissed as an extremist conservative by the entire media, and would have made no more of an impression than Tom Tancredo did.
Mark my words: Four years of Obama, and America will once more yearn for someone like Reagan…and there are new Reagans out there waiting…
MadisonConservative on May 5, 2008 at 10:07 AM
What’s missing in most of this talk about ‘letting’ Jindal clean up Louisiana first…is that while concentrating on resume-building and seasoning and building up experience, nobody except Nyog is making the case that Louisiana NEEDS to be cleaned up and if we take him away from that job, Louisiana is likely to backslide into the same old Democrat corruption to which it’s accustomed.
We don’t need a ‘Republicans deserted us AGAIN’ campaign in that state…the effects of which will be felt far beyond the LA state line.
James on May 5, 2008 at 10:07 AM
JC Watts
srhoades on May 5, 2008 at 10:09 AM
As a loooooong time Jindal watcher who worked on several of his campaigns, I’ll say this….
The veep debate would be electrifying television. Jindal would wipe the floor with his opponent…. whoever it is. Period.
Diogenes of Sinope on May 5, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Worst. Idea. Evah.
Nothing against Bobby, but this would look (and be) a political stunt. It also smacks of “Hey look! The GOP is young and racially diverse too!” It’s an obvious imitation.
Let Bobby get some experience under his belt and we’ll revisit the issue in 4,8, and 12 years.
IT’S THE ECONOMY STUPID! The VP slot should go to a proven economic guru. I’m not sure who that is, but the war is no longer the hot button. Recession, jobs, and productivity is.
natesnake on May 5, 2008 at 10:17 AM
A conservative Indian Catholic convert from Hinduism vs. a liberal Black Liberation convert from Islam. Interesting.
eaglesdontflock on May 5, 2008 at 10:18 AM
He also ran an HHS department (ASPE), and ran it well. But I think LA needs him more right now. If he can pull that off, and I think he can, he’ll be unstoppable later.
DrSteve on May 5, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I dunno–Quayle was obviously a stunt, but it worked.
jgapinoy on May 5, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Why not Colin Powell?
If the veeps office is so much more dynamic in current events thanks to the work of Dick Cheney it makes sense to pick a hands on candidate that would have deep reach into the executive agencies that make the branch click.
gabriel sutherland on May 5, 2008 at 10:22 AM
The ideal VP candidate would be a successful business owner who came from nothing. Somebody who knows what it’s like to eat mac-n-cheese and who has waded through investment, debt, insurance, and global markets.
Dick Cheney types need not apply.
natesnake on May 5, 2008 at 10:22 AM
The more I watch the Democrat race, the more I wonder if they even want this election. There will be lots of messes to clean up, and I don’t think Democrats have the stomach for leadership. They prefer to take a good thing and run it in the ground.
eaglesdontflock on May 5, 2008 at 10:23 AM
I can’t quite follow that logic at all. Reagan may have been a “former movie actor” but he spent a long time out on the hustings refining and creating a conservative message. And in case you were there–I was–”dismissed as an extremist conservative by the entire media” pretty much sums up how they treated him.
So much so that on the day he ran Jimmy Carter into a ditch, right up until the polls started closing they were talking about just how “tight” the race was going to be.
I’ll say again, it’s a dangerously absurd and preposterous and foolish notion to assume that if we throw an election there’s some great conservative hope out there who’s going to come to our rescue and drop the scales from America’s eyes.
Maybe in the movies; maybe in fiction, but in real life, it doesn’t work that way.
In real life, great leaders are rare. They rise with their times and create their situations and make their opportunities based on their times, just as Reagan did. But it’s in them to get out and do it. They don’t sit in the bleachers rooting for the other team waiting to be summoned by the times.
Typhoon on May 5, 2008 at 10:23 AM
True, but Bush senior was a stronger Presidential candidate than than McCain. I think we need someone with a solid private sector resume to offset McCain’s public sector service.
natesnake on May 5, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I disagree. Jindal has brains, charisma, charm, and he has a constituency. He also is squeaky-clean at a time when that matters for Republicans. He is by far the best choice in a year of potentially disastrous ones. Most importantly, he is darker-skinned and younger than Obama at a time when both seem to matter to some parts of the electorate.
Pawlenty is no longer a serious candidate, BTW, so you might as well stop beating that drum. Jindal has a more proven conservative track record anyway.
Hope P. Muntz on May 5, 2008 at 10:31 AM
No no no no no no. Let the man do his job and keep his word!
spmat on May 5, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Two reasons:
#1 His professional experience mirrors McCain’s and offers no balance.
#2 It will look (and be) a racial diversity GOP stunt.
natesnake on May 5, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Bull. There are great leaders ready to rise in every generation. It’s a matter of whether or not they get to exercise their good judgment in high office or not. Bobby Jindal so far is proving to be a hell of a great potential, but he may never get farther than Louisiana. Wouldn’t diminish what kind of leader he could be.
It doesn’t take a fictional movie script to make the American populace desperate for a leader who stops taxing the crap out of them and who actually takes an aggressive stance against terrorist states. Carter froze Iranian assets after the seizing of the US Embassy; Reagan bombed the crap out of Khadaffi. There was a reason Chuck Norris and Rambo movies flourished, and it wasn’t because Americans wanted a more pacifist approach to Islamic nutjobs.
MadisonConservative on May 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
So, tell us, Ed…
How do you, and Kristal, manage to miss what would be the most transparent ploy of all?
franksalterego on May 5, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Totally agree Ed.
Please let Bobby fix LA so these people will go back home! Hopefully, he’ll get 2 terms and have a chance to make some real change. But no one should underestimate the challenges he faces.
AFA the VP spot, it’s gonna have to be filled with the person qualified to be President if McCain drops dead the day after inauguration.
Texas Gal on May 5, 2008 at 10:46 AM
If Obama wins the nomination, one interesting VP possibility would be former Lt. Governor (MD) Michael Steele.Steve Z on May 5, 2008 at 9:44 AM
My thoughts exactly. Imagine the tug of war Black America will have with itself having to choose between voting for a selected hildog, staying home and sulking, and voting for a ticket that includes Michael Steele as VP.
It’s long past time for Black America to come home to the party of Lincoln.
I’m learning a lot about my fellow Americans at Snoop’s (no, not the rapper) very interesting-no-holds-barred, tell-it-exactly-how-it-is site.
Not for the easily offended, but definitely worth a read daily. Highly recommended.
techno_barbarian on May 5, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Sorry, Steve; that was supposed to be a quote, not a strike.
techno_barbarian on May 5, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I would make the case for Romney.
I mean, after all, haven’t Democrats told us, Religion is off the table?…That, it’s a distraction.
franksalterego on May 5, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Bull.
Once-in-a-lifetime is not once in a generation. Even counting a generation as 40 years, that would mean the US by now should have had six “great” presidents.
Name them.
Typhoon on May 5, 2008 at 10:58 AM
What about the hottie governor from Alaska?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Apart from Reagan? Goldwater. Gingrich. Heston(yes, another actor). Buckley. Limbaugh. Goldberg.
You’re making it seem like one has to be president to be a great conservative leader, but you forget that conservatives don’t concentrate on being president, they concentrate on leveraging their best abilities, and fulfilling them. Whether they go on to be President largely depends on what the country wants, and if they want a conservative president, one will rise to the occasion.
MadisonConservative on May 5, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Why not Benedict Arnold?
franksalterego on May 5, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Agreed.
Kralizec on May 5, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Palin, Sarah Palin. She has promised to stay with Alaska and do what Bobby is doing to LA. She is a real conservative…. and is doing a excellent job!
upinak on May 5, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Will Obama agree that it was “brutal” when he is sworn in as the next President?
corona on May 5, 2008 at 11:25 AM
*Laughing*
No. The proposition is that if we just let the Dems have this one, that the nation will be crying for the yet-to-be-known-but-floating-in-the-bullrushes Reagan In Waiting as President.
Not as pundit, or Presidential candidate, or Speaker of the House, or actor, but as President. Therefore the only apt comparisons to be made are of Presidents.
Typhoon on May 5, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Jindal had the wind at his back in the two speciagislative sessions. That wind is gone as well as some of the luster in the last couple of weeks.
Being a solid Jindal supporter myself, we have seen him do extremely well when the enemy was running away in a route. Now the enemy has begun to dig in and fight back. THIS will be the test that Jindal needs and will occur over and over as time goes on.
Jindal really has not proven himself yet in the real political fight that goes on while in office. He is very promising but he needs more seasoning in battle, rather than in the training camp of campaigning.
Jindal has not proven himsel yet
Kermit on May 5, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I’d like to see Chris Cox be the VP choice.
omnipotent on May 5, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Reagan was a failed presidential candidate, and an actor, and still became president. If you’re going to claim that only presidents are great leaders, then of course you’re picking a gourmet meal from the dumpster.
People have been tossing around Gingrich as a potential candidate for years. They said the same about Heston. Again, it depends on what the country is hungry for. Your implication that the American people never want a leader who invests faith in their own drive to improve their lives shows a lot of cynicism. If you’re right, why even bother with the presidential elections? Why not focus on the House or Senate, or individual governors? Why not go even further down and look for leadership at the microlevel? It has to start somewhere, and you don’t help things by reducing the party that could host a real leader to a party that wins elections with candidates barely distinguishable from their opponents.
MadisonConservative on May 5, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Clean up Louisiana? If he can do that, he can walk on water.
jeanie on May 5, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I don’t think I’m a cynic at all. My point is that Ronald Reagan was a particularly unique individual of a stripe that comes along very, very very seldom.
Charlton Heston and Newt Gingrich may be influential voices and men worthy of respect. But neither of them has the unique blend of talents that made Reagan Reagan. If what you’re suggesting is that if either of them had been in the exactly same place in time Reagan was that they would have become Reagan and done what Reagan did, I just can’t in any way agree.
Personally, I find that proposition, that it’s not the individual but the times, to be more than a little out of step with conservative ideology. I will point out that by your rational, George W. Bush should be the Reagan so many seem to seek.
Hs isn’t, of course, because although he’s a good man who means well, he’s not a great leader. Most presidents aren’t, because true greatness just doesn’t come along all that often.
Personally, I think this idea that someone will step forward out of the mist to rescuw us if we just create the mist is disastrous thinking.
For what we will likely end up with is the mist, with no one lurking within it to save us.
No. Far better to understand that perfection never happens in this world, that it’s never tidy, that we never get it all our way, and do the best we can every day with whatever it is we’ve got to work with.
Feel free to have the last word.
Typhoon on May 5, 2008 at 12:10 PM
If I remember correctly, a person needs to be 40 something (44?) to hold the office of President. If McCain was elected with Jindal as the VP, would Jindal even be able to hold the office of President if McCain was unable?
5foot2 on May 5, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I love the thought of him going national, but he needs to prove himself by 1. being true to his word and helping out his state 2. this will give him experience so he won’t be questioned like Obama on that front. Fine wine is aged and is all the better if you wait for it’s maturation…I hear, since I don’t drink!
deedledee on May 5, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Defeating Obama does not require having a person of color on the ticket. John McCain’s running mate needs to be “someone who a majority of voters would be happy with should that person need to step into the presidency.” That’s it. It could be a white male Republican with a drawl from the deep South. It could be a person from any race and either gender and from anywhere in the country. The race, gender, and region of the running mate are not relevant.
This is good, because in the last 20 years the GOP has done a subpar job of recruiting minorities into the party. Other than JC Watts, there are no minorities who meet the basic requirements.
Condoleeza Rice – never elected to an office by voters, never served in the military. Does not wish to run.
Colin Powell – retired US Army general, but doesn’t wish to run (I really wish he would change his mind).
Bobby Jindal – Inexperienced. Governor only briefly.
Michael Steele – Inexperienced. Was lieutenant governor, but not yet a governor or legislator.
Mel Martinez – Much of his political capital was used up in the immigration debate.
Alan Keyes – already defeated once by Barack Obama (in the race for Illinois Senate seat).
indythinker on May 5, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I was just starting to like Jindal but if Kristol likes him, he can’t be all good.
Kristol ultimately opposed the immigration bill, but not because he opposes illegal immigration, or displacement of American workers
I couldn’t stand Kristol on FOX. He was the first toxin that made me stop watching television news
It would be useful to run a minority as VP but it would not bring back blacks. It would solidity their paranoia that blacks are not allowed to choose their own minority representatives (Rice and Powell – bad, Sharpton and Obama – good)
entagor on May 5, 2008 at 12:39 PM
35
James on May 5, 2008 at 12:45 PM
It is a shame, isn’t it? I disagree about Mitt not being on the ticket. If mccain wins that could effectively freeze Mitt out of the White House unless the mccain presidency is a complete disaster. It will be a complete disaster if mccain grovels to his democrat freinds. Then when it is all over and mccain is a disaster because of the liberal policies the democrats will point at him as a republican and that will be the end of a republican White House for awhile. Whatever conservative powers that be that still have any influence need to tell mccain that he needs to put Romney on the ticket and let him handle the economy while mccain runs the war. And of course they both need to be told to build the fence, enforce laws against employers of illegal aliens and cut off funding to sanctuary states and cities.
peacenprosperity on May 5, 2008 at 12:46 PM
In addition to the inexperience argument, I also don’t want Jindal to be a part of a losing ticket, or for that matter, be a part of an administration that has to deal with a heavy Democrat congressional majority.
Also, sorry, but I still am not comfortable with the idea of McCain as president. If he comes to power, Conservatives are completely out in the woods – after all, he will run the RNC, while the Libs have the Democrat party. I believe in the constructive destruction – let Obama come to power with a heavy Democrat majority, and let there be another 1992, before there can be another 1994. (On the flip side, one could say similar things about 2004 and 2006, but blame that on traitors like Lincoln Chafee, George Voinovich, Chuck Hagel, Olympia Snowe and McCain himself.) If we want Conservative victories, as opposed to just the president having an (R) after his name (hey, we have that here in CA with Mr Maria Shriver), we need to have a complete housecleaning in the party. It can’t happen with McCain as president.
infidelpride on May 5, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Pawlenty barely won re-election, and is a moderate. I’ve never seen Sanford show any energy at all.
its vintage duh on May 5, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Allow me to help with the cold water.
Love the idea of Bobby Jindal in national politics, just not yet. Let him reform Louisiana politics and maybe even run for re-election there once. If he can do both successfully, he will be a very strong candidate when he decides to jump into national politics.
thirteen28 on May 5, 2008 at 1:10 PM
McCain—Romney (’08)
Romney—Jindal (’12)
Romney—Jindal (’16)
Jindal—? (’20)
Jindal—? (’24)
Dude.
mattshu on May 5, 2008 at 1:23 PM
mattshu on May 5, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Ahhhh how about
Jindal-Palin 2012
Jindal-Palin 2016
I really don’t want to see Romney or Huckabee anywhere near the Whitehouse.
Hunter, Thompson or some real conservative there has got to be better.
upinak on May 5, 2008 at 1:29 PM
This idea of constructive destruction doesn’t take into account how much destruction a Supreme Court and other courts shaped by Obama or Hillary will do and how that destruction will extend beyond one or two presidential terms.
aikidoka on May 5, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Mark Sanford for VP!!!
True Conservative…and not a good-ole’-boy snake in the grass like our RINOs in the S.C. State Senate.
MechEng5by5 on May 5, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Agreed. I heard him speak on one of the C-SPAN channels over the weekend. He definitely has great potential. If he can save Louisiana from itself, he can do anything.
ThePrez on May 5, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Jindal has a great future ahead of him. His current and future potential don’t concern me nearly as much as how the current lackluster / lazy GOP and RNC heads would squander that potential for a quick fix.
Present RNC leadership reminds me of Frist / Hastert where it soon became obvious there was no genuine fight or passion in them. Jindal is the exact opposite. He’s sharp, focused, determined, practical, knows what he stands for and expects results. He is Reaganesque in many ways. The last thing Jindal needs is to be undermined by milquetoasts in the RNC leadership whose only interest in him is to distract from the party’s mediocre directorship and failure to challenge Pelosi / Reid’s damage to the economy and sabotaging our military.
He has Louisiana’s best chance to utilize that state’s discontent with pre and post-Katrina corruption to reform that state. He can do far more in his present gubernatorial position than as a VP attending funerals or wrangling with many of the usual RINOs in DC.
viking01 on May 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
I hope Jindal and Sanford have the sense to turn down a VP offer. They are the only chance I have of voting Republican again for a while and the LP CP have some rather lame nominees this year so I’ll be looking forward to 2012.
libertytexan on May 5, 2008 at 3:04 PM
We aleady have Benedict Arnold on the ticket..nobody cares. He’s a veteran and has an R next to his name, so Powell is as good a choice as McCain..
You have to admit: McCain/Mulletard 08 is pretty catchy.
Wanting Jindal for the ticket smells like desperation to me. Jindal sounds good but he needs some time to actually show he can do something. McCain supporters seem eager to write off conservatives who don’t like McCain as not being necessary to win; so if conservatives aren’t necessary, why are we trying to cherry pick one that’s barely taken office in Weezyanna? Looks like he’s trying to curry favor without actually asking for our support.
Now, if Jindal is stupid, and chooses to join McCain’s campaign, he’s going to be tarred with the inevitable disaster McCain’s presidency is going to be, especially if all McCain is trying to do is curry some conservative favor and add some color to his ticket.
The problem with McCain’s candidacy isn’t who his veep is going to be; the problem is McCain. The North Carolina ad debacle showed he is his own worst enemy; a decent veep choice is only going to highlight how pathetic McCain is, and destroy any future the veep choice might have. Let McCain pick a rino or a bootlicker; keep him away from the all stars. All he’s going to do is cover them in the same cr*p he’s coated himself in screwing the GOP over the last 8 years.
austinnelly on May 5, 2008 at 3:14 PM
To show how shallow it is to focus on skin color, Indians are considered Aryan.
Akzed on May 5, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Gov Bobby J. is the thinking man’s Obama because he is smart enough to know he must acheive first. Bobby J. is more than just a skin color.
RobCon on May 5, 2008 at 3:33 PM
NOOOOOOOO DONT take my Jindoggy…. i voted for him and he is doing so much good stuff down here in lowseyana. After 200 years of corrupt leaders… and now Captain ammesty wants to take the last good hope from louisiana. heheh anyways id vote the hell out of jindoggy “the fact that he is not white has no bearing on my support (im not really sure what he is, indian or arab)
Donut on May 5, 2008 at 3:40 PM
He needs some entelechy.
misterpeasea on May 5, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Agree 1000% Bobby Jidal has my vote…when the time is right…and that time is NOT now. He needs to be the head of the ticket and he needs to have his record on leading Louisiana prove his experience!
ihasurnominashun on May 5, 2008 at 6:12 PM
…as opposed to mere potentiality :)
Entelechy on May 5, 2008 at 6:13 PM
If I’m not mistaken Jindal has been around in the Lousiana state government since he was 21. He’s already more experienced than Obama. Plus, you can’t truly believe having McCain against Obama on experience would be negated by Jindal, can you? I’d do it in a second. Even if McCain-Jindal were to lose, Jindal could return to Lousiana as Governor for a couple more years before heading up the ticket in 2012.
eski502 on May 5, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Spot on the National Ticket???? I like Jindal and think he has potential but he did not help the party keep a much needed GOP in a recent special election. A seat which had been held by the GOP for about 30 years.
That is not a good sign.
azcop on May 5, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Let’s let Jindal do the job he was hired to do. If he ends up making a real difference in LA, it will mean a lot.
We just need heroes soooo bad, that’s why some jump the gun on this guy. I have no doubt that in 8-10 years, with fixing LA under his belt,and–who knows what else?-He could be a very fine,very upstanding President of the USA.Let’s give it time.
lizzee on May 5, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Although I was born and raised in Louisiana, I got out as soon as I could. The state has wonderful people, great hunting and fishing, and some of the best food in the world. That said, Louisiana has been a cesspool of corruption since the Huey Long days and continues today. You only have to look at (previous governor) Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin as examples of the incompetent people that have been in charge. My contacts there have real hope that Bobby Jindal is the real thing and that he will overcome the corrupt mindset that pervades politics there. If he can “clean up” Louisiana, he is capable of walking on water and raising the dead. For me, I want to see achievements – let’s revisit in about 8 years.
Garnet92 on May 5, 2008 at 8:17 PM
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