Video: Jindal explains fiscal responsibility at Obama summit
posted at 5:50 pm on February 23, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Want to know why Republicans are so high on Bobby Jindal? Watch him take two minutes to stake out the kind of economic policy territory that the GOP couldn’t find with both hands and a flashlight in two successive national elections:
Jindal sounds poised, informed, and reasonable while eviscerating the Porkulus bill. Instead of working explicitly from a philosophical point of view, he rattles off the facts of Porkulus to establish the basis for his fiscal conservatism. In doing so, Jindal enjoys much more credibility as a critic of Obama’s economic plans — and forces Obama to defend his plans on the specifics rather than Chicken Little diatribes.
Can Jindal maintain this poise and eloquence for the next four years and become the voice of the loyal opposition? If so, I can’t wait for 2012.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 … 5 Next »
A Rhodes scholar up against a Harvard slackard. I can’t wait for the debates!
Sue on February 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM
As a Louisianian, I love jindal, but you better get ready for all the “exorcism” comments you can handle if he runs.
TTheoLogan on February 23, 2009 at 5:55 PM
I had to double check who wrote that. And, oh, it was Ed.
Thank God.
Kokonut on February 23, 2009 at 5:55 PM
bye palin.
blatantblue on February 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
2012? We’ll be lucky to make it to 2010. If the markets start running south quicker than they are now, all bets are off for pretty much everything as people get desperate.
Bishop on February 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
jindal is an impressive speaker. Again though at times he sounds too much like a college professor. That wont work very well on the campaign trail. He needs to get some real charisma if he hopes to be a viable national candidate. It ie easier to brush up on the issues and have a more firm grip on them that it is to gain a level of high charisma. This is why I still like Palin more.
ousoonerfan15 on February 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
In 2012, maybe we’ll need an exorcism :P
lorien1973 on February 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
I sure hope Jindal does choose to run in 2012 I think he would be a great GOP pick.
tee866 on February 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
I was so struck by this performance I had to email tips. This guy runs circles around anyone else Republicans have bar Mitt Romney, but even Romney cant match this guys veteran public administrator brain. I mean, look at him fire off figures, programs, and facts with ease…
for the love of all that is good and decent in this world…if this guy decides to run, PLEASE dont muck it up by nominating Palin.
ernesto on February 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
And all without a teleprompter.
Jim-Rose on February 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
ernesto= douchebag
ousoonerfan15 on February 23, 2009 at 5:57 PM
I think he will be a presence for sometime to come.
I look forward to a Jindal-Palin debate. It will likely be as similar to a debate between William Buckley versus Dan Rather would have been. Jindal in charge of the facts and demonstrating a comprehensive, working understanding of the facts while Palin tosses out some one liners and red meat.
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Just heard on CNN Jindal is prepared to reject $100m (for unemployment help) out of $4B allotted to Lousisana. That’s only 2.5% of the whole package. Correct me if I’m wrong.
This is not a slam of Jindal but facts are facts.
technopeasant on February 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Time to move on…
right2bright on February 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM
She’d make a great Secretary of Energy in a Jindal administration. And maybe she will. She has the time.
Wethal on February 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM
techno, I dont think he ever said he was going to reject all of the money. But yeah I see your point.
ousoonerfan15 on February 23, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Heh. If looking with both hands, where was the flashlight?
Oh Ed, such nuance.
DocKen on February 23, 2009 at 6:00 PM
He says he’s not running, but I hope he re-considers. He’d eat Hopeydopey for lunch in any kind of debate setting. He might not have the charisma of Wonderboy, but by then, people will have realized that charisma’s one thing, leadership is something else entirely.
jonrademacher on February 23, 2009 at 6:00 PM
If we had to have a minority president, why couldn’t it have been him? We’ll be a socialist, third world country without elections by 2012. Jindal NOW. Sigh.
UnEasyRider on February 23, 2009 at 6:00 PM
I’m ready for change.
artist on February 23, 2009 at 6:00 PM
He is now the number one target of the MSM. The liberals will have years now to destroy him, and bring up every misstep.
right2bright on February 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Being from Houston, I was impressed with the way that Gov. Jindal handled Hurricane Ike & the assistance he offered our state. While the mayor of Galveston was faltering, Jindal knew all the facts & was on top of things. He has a photographic memory, that’s for sure…
youngTXcon on February 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
blatantblue on February 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
technopeasant on February 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
We need a Hybrid of Palin/Jindal.
Palin is excellent at talking to the Folks and was an Excellent performer in the Theatrics part of this.
Jindal is exactly what Ed describes above, he “sounds smart”.
I guess what I’m saying is put their two positive traits together and you have a Republican Bill Clinton, though a cultural force at the same time.
jp on February 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Aaaaaand, uh, he, uh didn’t say,”uh” one single time!!!
Special K on February 23, 2009 at 6:02 PM
I like this guy a lot, but I can’t get past the stupid creationism/exorcism stuff — and that’s coming from a Christian.
It will be a dealbreaker for some voters.
foucaultsvac on February 23, 2009 at 6:02 PM
He isn’t running, it is 3 years away…He is doing what he thinks is best, and if (and I think it will) works out, he will be eager to take over the reins, in three years and start running.
Right now I really think, he is thinking about his state and the country.
right2bright on February 23, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Jindal,Palin,Sanford,etc. We are filling a deep bench of good conservatives for 2012. If we can get there without our own party knee capping each other Obahmba will be toast in 4 years.
Good man Jindal.
portlandon on February 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM
I like him. I betcha they have already opened a Jindal war room in the White House to keep tabs on him… You can bet Jindal makes Obambi nervous.
Rockygold on February 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM
It will be a dealbreaker for some voters.
foucaultsvac on February 23, 2009 at 6:02 PM
You mean some voters won’t vote for him?
artist on February 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM
If Obama starts pandering to Indians you’ll know he’s worried too about Jindal
jp on February 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Hey, I know how to get the financial markets back on track, prevent Obama and his “talented team” from ever speaking again or announcing anymore brilliant ideas. Everytime they open their yaps the market drops another 300 points or so.
AmericanUnderground on February 23, 2009 at 6:04 PM
jp, I think its likely you could see a ticket of Palin/Jindal or vice-versa
ousoonerfan15 on February 23, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Aren’t we 45 days into regretting this type of president already?
Jindal is the personification of the American dream. Son of immigrants, made it on his smarts, and has obvious grasp of the issues. I’ll stick with movies for 40 Alex if I want theatrics.
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Something sticks me odd about Jindal. Not sure what it is, I can’t put a finger on it.
upinak on February 23, 2009 at 6:04 PM
I agree. I love Jindal too, but I wonder how many will jump ship once he’s savaged by the MSM. And savaged he will be, if he’s ever considered a threat. “We can’t elect someone with exorcism baggage, real or imagined. Damaged goods. Move on.”
ddrintn on February 23, 2009 at 6:04 PM
An articulate Republican? Whaaaaaaaa?
29Victor on February 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
there is a difference in Theatrics and Down Home.
Which do you think Palin is?
upinak on February 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
From what I’ve seen, he seems to have some serious executive-branch chops. With some time on the National stage and learning to deal with the attention that brings (something Governor Palin lacked at the time of her nomination), I think he’ll do nothing but improve as a communicator.
I know one of the narratives is “we didn’t get Reagan without Carter” and I’m wondering if this guy may be the answer to Obama. Imagine in 4 years if he can show some great progress in Louisiana…he’ll be in great shape to show how he could do that at a national level.
There’s always hope ;-)
mctowler on February 23, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Yeah, because in that AK gov. debate floating around on the web a few years ago, all she did was toss out “one liners and red meat.”
(rolls eyes).
Jindal sounded good here. You don’t have to beat down Palin to say he was impressive, and you certainly don’t have to discount her established record- specifically in energy and fiscal conservativism.
Maybe they’ll both run, and primary voters will have (at least) 2 good choices, IMO.
cs89 on February 23, 2009 at 6:07 PM
I noticed that too. He also didn’t have to assert that an aide mis-characterized his position on whether or not he would accept stimulus funds.
landshark on February 23, 2009 at 6:07 PM
theatrics. down home is fred thompson, who can at least be folksy and show a grasp of the issues. Palin is more of an act in my opinion.
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM
wow.
never heard jindal speak before. hey, obie, ruh-roh
billypaintbrush on February 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM
I am glad that we are seeing more jindal threads on hotair….However, it seems like the Palin bashing never ends even if the thread has absolutely nothing to do with her.
TimeTraveler on February 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Down home – hence the appeal.
Rockygold on February 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM
I like Jindal but what did he say that we don’t already know? How did this explain fiscal responsibility? Frankly, I think he sounded a little too “trusting” of the Obama adminstration and their overseeing of the spending in this porkulus.
Honestly, I think the media is trying to position him against Palin and I’m afraid some of our conservative bloggers are going to fall into the same trap yet again of letting the media pick our candidate.
Again, I like Jindal but did he really say anything earth-shattering here? No. Hopefully, his response to the Messiah’s mini State of the Union will be much better.
Redneck Woman on February 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM
I like Jindal…but that’s the exact feeling I got about Mitt Romney…Something not right…
JetBoy on February 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Jindal is the future of the Republican Party. The only question is whether that “future” is four or eight years from now. He’s the type of guy who could really attract younger people to the GOP again..
therightwinger on February 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Mark Sanford would run circles around Jindal’s reputation on economics.
If anyone’s doing posturing on the stimulus plan, it’s Jindal.
Notorious GOP on February 23, 2009 at 6:09 PM
cs89 on February 23, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Bill Clinton knew when to “talk to the folks” and when to ‘sound smart’ for the intellectuals out there and others who want that.
Palin needs to understand when to do that and when not to, I suppose. She has all the potential in the world and she does have something Jindal doesn’t in the Personality department.
Either way, this is a team sport. I’m voting for whoever is nominated by the GOP.
jp on February 23, 2009 at 6:09 PM
I dunno, but for me it’s a lack of charisma. I know that sounds shallow, but charisma is priceless. Sarah Palin has it. As much as I respect Jindal, I can’t imagine him lighting up a stadium full of people. Only if we’re in such a wasteland in 2012 that charisma means absolutely nothing at all.
ddrintn on February 23, 2009 at 6:10 PM
I will never desert Sarah unless somebody appears who is far superior to her in talent, charisma, communication skills or authenticity.
I would only forsake Sarah for somebody who clearly demonstrated 25% more ability than Tiger Woods. And in sporting terms or political terms, folks–the chances of that happening: 1 in a million.
technopeasant on February 23, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Something sticks me odd about Jindal. Not sure what it is, I can’t put a finger on it.
upinak on February 23, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Seems to me to have just a touch of tingliness about President Ogabe, not a lot, just enough to make your eyes squint when he was speaking.
Bishop on February 23, 2009 at 6:11 PM
After seeing Gov. Jindal on Meet the Press this Sunday. I hate to say but I think you have a point.
terryannonline on February 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
granted the Dems and Clinton have a key advantage playing in their favor, the MSM.
the GOP handicap
jp on February 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Most of the HotAir-heads think Palin is the future of the GOP. Unless they’re going to turn on her for Jindal…
But alas, there’s no way right now to know who the “future” is for the party. We really have to see what happens from now to at least 2010.
If the GOP can’t take at least the House or the Senate back 2 years from now, a GOP POTUS probably won’t happen.
JetBoy on February 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Jindal will never win after signing the creationism bill in his state. The Dem’s will be delighted to have the GOP run him. It’s a win for the Dem’s in 2012. Better wake up GOP.
Jed1899 on February 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Sounds kind of … well .. cultish. Forsake? Your mind is already made up to vote for her and she hasn’t put her hat in the ring yet.
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Amen brother!
Fuquay Steve on February 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Brad, well ask anyone who has ever met Palin in this thread. They will call you a BS artist for it. If you haven’t had the chance to meet here (as I remember you have never liked Palin to begin with and have always thrown bullets her way) then you wouldn’t know other then supposed impressions.
BTW Fred T likes Palin.. a lot. And also Fred’s wife is a fan. I think you seriously have no clue about Palin.
Palin and Jindal as a team, is for the good of this Nation.
upinak on February 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Jindal is good but let’s keep it in perspective.
Firebird on February 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
When Jindal was rattling off status reports during the Gustav aftermath, he was amazing. He had facts and figures and there wasn’t any hesitating or stammering. I don’t find him particularly charismatic, but he’s definitely smart and solid.
LibbyLA on February 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I like Jindal too, but I prefer Palin. Jindal is too wonkyish and not exactly charimastic. And his Excorism/Pro-Intelligent Design past will turn off a lot of crucial independent voters.
Besides, there is little chance he will run for POTUS in 2012. He would basically give up his re-election bid for governor in 2011 and become a lame duck for the next 2 years.
That being said, he is still very young and could be a formidable candidate in 2016 (if Obama wins in 2012) or 2020.
Norwegian on February 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Thats funny, since your little Jindal “son of immigrants” paragraph reads straight out of a Ken Burns theatrical documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman. Talk about theatrical.
portlandon on February 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I agree. I genuinely do not believe that someone who has legislated creationism into public schools has a snowball’s chance in hades of winning nationally.
ProfessorMiao on February 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
The only problem is that Jindal walked right into Obama’s trap. Obama’s quote was “people agree with 99% of the stimulus bill.” Yes, Jindaal said “we could have had a different stimulus package,” but half his 2 minute speech was rattling off a list of pork projects that totalled about $2 billion — or roughly 0.25% of the stimulus bill.
The real problem is that Obama quickly realized that you can’t build $800 billion worth of schools, roads, and bridges in a year or even two years. So what he did instead was do $800 billion worth of grants, most of which will get disbursed to God only knows who within the next 2 years so he can say “yay, we injected $800 billion into the economy.” In truth, he just gave the money to intermediaries, who will take years to spend all of it. But since the money left the treasury, Obama can say “see, I spent it!”
That’s where the idea of the corporate income tax and capital gains “holiday” really had potential. Simply suspend 50% of the relevant taxes for 2 years, and that pushes money into the hands of businesses immediately, who can then go spend their own money.
Outlander on February 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
yeah probably the blinders due to the crap a flying… don’t wanna go blind ya know.
upinak on February 23, 2009 at 6:14 PM
I’d like to have a bench of good options to choose from in 2012. Looks like we’re going to have one for the first time in a while.
amerpundit on February 23, 2009 at 6:14 PM
It is not a matter of whether I like someone or not. It is a matter of determining who is best for the job and the country. Her interviews were nearly as embarassing as the constant excuses by her eternal fans with stardust in their eyes.
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
and your mind is already made up to vote against her
ousoonerfan15 on February 23, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Happens to be true about him. Deal with it.
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:16 PM
You’d think. But only 4 in 10 Americans believe in evolution. Most Americans support teaching creationism in school.
amerpundit on February 23, 2009 at 6:16 PM
I had to double check who wrote that. And, oh, it was Ed.
Thank God.
Kokonut on February 23, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Had to chuckle when i read your comment i did the same thing before i read one comment.
heshtesh on February 23, 2009 at 6:17 PM
If she proves herself worthy of the nomination by beating the competition I will support her.
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:17 PM
A-freakin-men, unfortunately.
The more I see and hear of this guy, the more I like him. If he can get past the MSM search and destroy mission he might be able to get some traction over the next couple of years.
Palin vs. Jindal PPV cagematch ’12.
Papa_P on February 23, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Screw charisma! It got us the 0!
What’s all the talk about exorcism and Jindahl???
DrStock on February 23, 2009 at 6:18 PM
JB, you’re not a newbie here. Remember when HotAir-heads thought Fred was the future? And the predictions that he’d mop the floor with (at the time) Clinton or Obambi?
amerpundit on February 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
As i have said before. You have had some serious “issues” with her since the beginning.
Why don’t you tell us how you really feel… you just don’t like women running. And I don’t think I am off that mark far.
upinak on February 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Jindal participated in an exorcism,then claimed it cured a woman of cancer.
Jed1899 on February 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I’ve been loving the freak outs at LGF over Jindal’s religious convictions. I’m becoming convinced that Charles and the other people on that blog are hell-bent (no pun intended) on kicking any and all devout politicians out of the political scene. They’re even in a tizzy over Sanford and Pawlenty’s expressed creationist inclinations.
I’m an atheist myself, but I could not give less of a damn about whether or not someone believes in Creationism or not. If we’re going to worry about pseudo-science being taught in schools let’s go ahead and address the pseudo-scientific issues that actually have a negative impact on our country, like global warming and Economics (point I’m making here is that econ isn’t treated like the science that it’s meant to be – rather it’s used in a bastardized form as a propaganda vehicle for justifying socialism in most schools.)
Tacitus_SGL on February 23, 2009 at 6:20 PM
1. Sanford
2. Jindal
3. Everybody else
at this point.
therightwinger on February 23, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Agree wholeheartedly. The striking arm of the Democratic party (aka, the press) will have a field day with this come 2012. It will make the attacks on Palin look like child’s play.
madne0 on February 23, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
technopeasant on February 23, 2009 at 6:21 PM
If you compare him to Bush (which is what most are probably subconsciously doing), he sounds brilliant. But aside from that, I’m not as nearly impressed as everyone else. He speaks fine, that’s all.
V15J on February 23, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Laughably off the mark. Are you the thread medium?
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Can we step back and assess this guy on his performance? And at the very least, can we agree that we are fortunate to be able to say that he’s on the GOP team–especially as we shake our heads with regret at the likes of Charlie (“George Hamilton”) Crist and Arnold?
BuckeyeSam on February 23, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Oh, good God. Yes, his opposition must be based in sexism. Just like any opposition to Obama was based in racism.
amerpundit on February 23, 2009 at 6:22 PM
No need to make it a Palin vs. Jindal thread. They’re both strong conservative govs. with records of achievement– we’d be lucky to have either in 2012.
Pasalubong on February 23, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Which is why the Dems don’t want it, as John F’in Kerry blurted out. You let people keep their money, and you have no idea what they’ll spend it on. They have to be told. Or better yet, the government has to spend it for them.
Wethal on February 23, 2009 at 6:23 PM
The kid from Slumdog Millionaire is right- the Stimulus was a total sham.
Chuck Schick on February 23, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Correct, just on the basis of that. And of course the MSM would drive it home the way they did with Romney’s Mormonism.
The only thing is that Jindal’s Christianity via creationism is fair game as a political issue, because he brought it into that arena. Romney didn’t do that.
foucaultsvac on February 23, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Bobby is a down to business kind of guy. Facts and plenty of them. The charisma thing is no big deal. I have followed him since he ran for congress and seen his speeches. He can connect when he wants to. I balance he’s as good a conservative as you could want and he’s courageous.
Bobby! Bobby! Bobby! Bobby! Bobby! Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!
RadioFreeUSA on February 23, 2009 at 6:23 PM
sanford?? Im sorry but haahhahahahahaha. no way he ever gets the nomination. The guy is way too boring
ousoonerfan15 on February 23, 2009 at 6:23 PM
I don’t “study” your postings or anyone else’s for that matter. She ran for 10 weeks or so. before that no one was even remotely aware of who she is.
If beating Joe Biden in a debate or reading from a telepropter is your measure of stunning success you have indeed set the bar pretty low.
Bradky on February 23, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I would say the one thing that might work more against Jindal is his age. If people link Obama’s mess ups to his youthful inexperience than nominating someone younger might not work. Again, 2012 is WAY off so who knows.
terryannonline on February 23, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Sanford who just embraced the Porkulus Money after first sweaering it off? Sorry, but he is nowhere near Palin or Jindal calibre.
Besides, do we really want to run a boring white male from the South in 2012? Wouldn’t that just feed into the MSM stereotype of the GOP?
Norwegian on February 23, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I’m trying to understand. Are some of y’all saying that a devout Christian can not be the Republican Nominee in 2012?
Both Jindal and Palin are devout christians.
kingsjester on February 23, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 … 5 Next »