Jindal is governing like it’s 2016
But political observers who’ve watched Jindal up close for years say it’s become increasingly fuzzy where his governing ends and his presidential ambitions begin — whether the 41-year-old policy wonk’s plans are aimed at Louisiana’s problems or future GOP voters in Iowa and New Hampshire.
“You don’t get any argument from anybody down here that Jindal’s running for president – it’s just an accepted fact, like the sun rising in the East,” said Bob Mann, a former aide to Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Sen. John Breaux who’s now a professor at Louisiana State University. “There’s an overriding sense among insiders here … that most of the higher-profile initiatives that he’s embarking on here are all with the national audience in mind.”
Jindal’s bold policy proposals in Louisiana come at the same time he’s raising his profile nationally, both through his new post as head of the Republican Governors Association and his frequent commentary on the future of the Republican party. He turned heads last month when he warned the GOP needs to “stop being the stupid party.”
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
No.
RovesChins on February 17, 2013 at 9:09 PM
Funny how a guy that anyone would have taken over Romney in a nanosecond is now a long shot in the 2016 sweepstakes.
crrr6 on February 17, 2013 at 9:19 PM
This old White guy says it’s about time we nominated someone who’s not an old White guy.
Jindal would be great–not perfect, but great.
Rubio would be better. Best, in fact.
Why not Rubio/Jindal?
itsnotaboutme on February 17, 2013 at 9:20 PM
Geaux, Bobby.
Christien on February 17, 2013 at 9:20 PM
He’s said a lot since then. None of it music to a conservative’s ears.
We need fresh blood, not retreads or never should haves.
RovesChins on February 17, 2013 at 9:23 PM
Jindal is NOT establishment.
And when he said the words “stupid party” – a lot of us were thinking about John Boehner not Todd Akin.
HondaV65 on February 17, 2013 at 9:35 PM
I still really like Jindal.
He’s much better than Rubio, I think, on policy, and I trust his judgment much more when it comes to what will work and what will not. His weakness is his, hmmm, personality, for lack of a better word. I suppose charisma is a more accurate one, but I don’t like that word since I’m sure Jindal is great in more private setting, it just doesn’t come across well on TV.
I like Ted Cruz and Rand Paul.
I still favor building up a stronger state check on the Federal government power, over working to get the right people in DC to get the Federal government to check itself. Rubio is looking to be a good example of the chanciness of that endeavor, though he does look like someone who’d cut Presidential power down to a more appropriate size.
Dusty on February 17, 2013 at 9:51 PM
Jindal and Rand are the two best out there.
Panther on February 17, 2013 at 9:56 PM
I like Bobby a lot, and I also like the other guys who are obviously running. It’s not like 2012 where I really didn’t like folks such as Newt and Santorum as candidates, and my guy Perry imploded partly because he got in late.
I also know that nothing I can do will affect the primary races, so I’m just a spectator. That’s why I won’t get involved this time, except to comment on the web for entertainment.
juliesa on February 17, 2013 at 10:01 PM
Poor Governor Bobby… He would have been a contender if Marco Rubio didn’t exist.
Illinidiva on February 17, 2013 at 11:13 PM
Palin / Cruz will work.
Palin/Cruz 2016
ChuckTX on February 17, 2013 at 11:20 PM
So like the guy who has been hanging out in Washington since he graduated from school is NOT establishment. And when he said the words “stupid party” – a lot of us were thinking about John Boehner not Todd Akin.
Bobby Jindal was being groomed to be President but he really dropped out of favor to Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio. Paul Ryan is really Governor Bobby’s rival. He is the nerdy anti-Obama but has the distinction of being able to give a speech, etc. Marco Rubio is not a genius but gosh is he a good politician.
Illinidiva on February 17, 2013 at 11:24 PM
So, by hanging out in Washington since he graduated from school, that includes the five of the first six years after graduating from school working in Louisiana?
Mmkay.
Dusty on February 18, 2013 at 12:05 AM
Good lord people. Sometimes this site drives me crazy. If guys like Jindal can’t even be acceptable to the purity test the purity test is broken.
And “establishment” is now beyond cliche.
MikeknaJ on February 18, 2013 at 2:31 AM
I like Jindal. I’ll take a Governor over a Senator any day. And in the GE, his ethnicity would be a plus.
tommy71 on February 18, 2013 at 7:09 AM