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Streetcar Line
Jindal’s Perpetual Potential
Americans on Tuesday night finally had a chance to see Governor Bobby Jindal in action.
Americans on Tuesday night had the chance to see in Governor Bobby Jindal what Louisianans have marveled at for 13 years now, ever since he became at 24 the director of the state health department: a bright, sincere, earnest, capable, conservative reformer with no apparent sharp edges. It’s almost impossible not to like him — but the question is whether he’s fully ready to lead.
Everybody knows that giving the minority party’s “response” to a major presidential address is a tough, tough task. There’s no pomp, no audience, and no presidential aura. The worst of those is the lack of audience: Unless you are Ronald Reagan, it is infinitely harder to make connection with a TV lens than it is to let the TV lens show you making a connection to a live audience who give visual feedback to the speaker.
Jindal, then, can hardly be blamed for not having yet mastered the task. Especially early in his address, his delivery was painfully sing-songish, like that of a high school senior running for class president. He needs to learn to break up the meter of his delivery, like real people talk in conversations. He also took too long talking about himself rather than about the needs of the people of this nation. And his theme-setting story about how it was the stocked shelves of a grocery store that moved his father to say that “Americans can do anything”… well, it was hokey, in a way that the Orwellian but masterly Barack Obama almost never appears.
But what Jindal lacked in “presence,” he made up for with transparent believability. His very boyishness eliminates any sense that his hokeyness contains any cynicism — and his principles of self-reliance rather than reliance on big government are principles that still resonate with the American soul. He was especially good when he (in slightly over-broad strokes) made simple descriptions of what is entailed by liberal Obama approaches: What the stimulus will do, he said, is “grow the government, increase our taxes down the line, and saddle our children with debt.” Conversely, he aptly described conservative approaches. On health care, he advertised this “simple principle. We stand for universal access. What we oppose is universal government health care.”
Obama gave us sweeping vision, breathtaking in its scope (and in its socialistic abandonment of all sorts of basic American tenets of limited government), combined with well-disguised Orwellian tricks of language that falsely rooted his vision in age-old American values. In response, Jindal tried to give us a return to common sense:
“Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It’s irresponsible. And it’s no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs, or build a prosperous future for our children.…”
Nobody who watched will say that Jindal isn’t a man with a future. But few who watched would say that his national future is now.
Louisianans already are finding that Jindal is a good governor, but less than a fully realized one. His vaunted ethics reforms were good, but contained some deleterious loopholes. He claimed to have cut the number of state employees, but the total actually has grown (slightly) so far, with high-salaried employees seeing an especially notable increase. He claimed to cut taxes, but the truth is that he ran to get ahead of a parade that already started without him.
It’s not that Jindal has been a spendthrift liberal or deliberately misleading. But being governor requires that one establish mastery over a state legislature that often refuses to be mastered, and it involves real-world political management skills that take time to develop. (And political management skills are of a different order than mere bureaucratic skills, which Jindal already has proved in past jobs in abundance.)
On all of these fronts, Jindal is decently talented — far, far from inept — but still less than significantly experienced. His utterly superb on-the-fly management of two major hurricane responses — one as a congressman who clearly outperformed the mayor and then-governor, the other one as governor himself — shows a quick mind, a strong will, a can-do spirit, a good heart, and a gut-level competence. But sometimes, counterintuitively, it is the hard, day-to-day management of inside politics that is more difficult to excel at than is crisis management where people respond by necessity to the decisive orders of somebody willing to take control and responsibility.
All of which is to say that Jindal is still a work in progress. A very good work, but still in progress nonetheless. And so he proved in his mini-speech tonight, in which he clearly did not live up to his “superstar” billing, but where he nevertheless provided some necessary correctives to Obama’s largesse, along with some hope for the future.
(Mr. Hillyer, a Louisiana native, has followed Bobby Jindal’s
career since 1991.)
About the Author
Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom. Follow him on Twitter @QuinHillyer.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (99) | Leave a comment
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HomelessLeRhino| 2.25.09 @ 6:40AM
We needed Rush to deliver this address. The big,bad bull elephant of the GOP with the massive tusks and more massive noise is what America is waiting for. He would have excoriated Americans for not giving CEOS enough love, and muttering nasties about their flying habits. He would have blown apart this silly notion people are in need of unemployment benefits, food stamps, and healthcare in a time of economic woe. He would havehit a home run. The women and others of the mighty middle would have adored him. Just another missed opportunity by the stupid party.
John Schuh| 2.25.09 @ 6:52AM
Good analysis by Mr. Hillyer. Governor Jindal is only 37, after all. Rick Perry, the Texas governor, presents better, and if he whips Kaye Bailey in 2010, he will be a force to reckon with, especially if Texas weathers the economic storm as well it seems to be doing now. But he is a Texas governor and from rural Texas at that. Barbour, his neighbor to the east, ought to get more attention, except for his "good ole boy" manner that northern smart asses, like to lampoon. Sanford in SC impresses me more than Jindal, but again, is another southern white face. The North that won the civil war and still smugly assumes its superiority prefers the likes of a Crist, who reminds me of Clinton.
Emil| 2.25.09 @ 8:10AM
Jinal is only 37. I remember a 40 year old governor how gave an absolutely awful speech at the 1988 Dem convention
Ryan| 2.25.09 @ 8:15AM
As a native Louisianian, I've always found Jindal as more or less underwhelming. Nice guy with no to few skeletons in the closet, I think he's more of the compassionate conservative bent, and that's something I think the American people don't need again because of their spendthrift ways.
Part of his problemwas the time that he spent in DC instead of getting a real, non-government job which he never really had.
drudge ette obama| 2.25.09 @ 8:19AM
What I think we are seeing is "acceptable" prejudice against another ethnic group: Indians, and against Southerners. You'll hear "sing-song" about Jindal's presentation and twang when it's about a Southerner. I have no real southern roots (from the northeast originally), but I have lived in Texas and Georgia for the majority of my life and can tell you withour doubt or pause that Southerners cannot be judged by their accents, anymore than the New York accent.
You see, it's is still ok to make stereotypical comments about women, and non-black Americans, especially Southerners. Recently, a black coworker called someone (white) a cracker. I looked at her and ask what she meant by calling someone a cracker. No good answer came from her. We all understood what she meant.
Just like Palin, Jindal will be ridiculed by the liberal press - whose nonwhite guilt extends only to blacks - no one else.
As far as Jindal goes, I am very impressed with him and his presentation. I think that as soon as you listen to him, you find yourself comfortable with his strength and intelligence. I look forward to voting for him.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.09 @ 8:26AM
Jindal has got gravitas.
however the author is correct it's hokey, Orwellian, to say Americans can do anything.
why--shucks-- that there Tim McVeigh, he started out a jarhead or whatever, and he rose to blow up an en-tire guvmint bilding! if you setchyer mind to it, you can do anything, boy!
Rick Hicks| 2.25.09 @ 8:28AM
When did this "fully ready to lead" idea become a Presidential requirement? It must have been recently, sure as Hell wasn't a requirement during the selection process last Fall.
John M| 2.25.09 @ 9:12AM
Jindal's style could never be that of a rousing, fire-breathing demogogue, but he came across as believable, trustworthy, competent, likeable, and someone who means what he says. These laudable qualities are opposite of what the Big O engenders where one is better off in initially thinking that every statement he makes is either an obfuscation, misdirection, outright falsehood, or at best a half truth based on a questionable assumption. The fact that a Republican governor was asked to give the response is telling. The congressional Republicans have been thoroughly emasculated, have run out of ideas, and appear unable to lead the fight against the socialist juggernaut that is rapidly overwhelming the country. But we are, after all, the United "States" of America and we are going to have to look to our individual states to lead the fight against this seemingly unstoppable accumulation of wealth and power by the central government. One possible way to right the ever growing imbalance of power is instead of sending so much of our tax money to Washington to be later doled out piecemeal to the states, how about sending all of our tax money to our state governments who could then dole it out to Washington, but only for the things that the federal government should be doing that the states cannot do for themselves, such as national defense.
ame| 2.25.09 @ 9:15AM
Finally, we have a leader on the national stage, not an empty styrofoam Greek column poser.
Bobby Jindal is one of a very few truly brilliant people who have ideas that work and have proven to do so.
Jindal is a man of principle, not politics; a man with an ethical and moral center, not "above my pay grade" - "I screwed up" - "I won"; a leader, not a facilitator; a person of action, not staging; someone who believes in the power of America and Americans, not the power of government; a man of purpose, not empty promise.
Bobby Jindal has actually served the America he leads, not just taken from it for personal gain.
Jindal and other young Republicans such as Cantor and Ryan finally give me some real hope.
You say Jindal's "not fully ready to lead," but the Socialist Soros cardboard poser Obama was? Obama is ready to lead the USA down the socialist tank. Jindal is real - someone we can trult believe and someone who with actual experience - something we haven't seen in politics since Churchill and Reagan.
Rick Hicks is right! We've got a scam artist as president right now who can't lead a dog to a fire hydrant, but can put the dog in a "study" group and teach him to bark.
Bobby Jindal has more brains in his socks than Obama has in his pretend "dreams."
I want a president I can trust to do for the democratic-republic capitalist economy of the USA, not an empty rhetoric poser.
Jindal, Cantor, Ryan - men who can really offer hope.
Obama Rules| 2.25.09 @ 10:04AM
ame, tone it down a little, you nutty right-winger.
clashseeker| 2.25.09 @ 10:07AM
Jarhead is slang for a marine. Timmy was in the Army and he flopped at being a green beret. Marine's do not want ownership of that fella. By the way, he was from the northeast and did not talk like a redneck hick Alan. His letter to the editor at his home town newspaper in Buffalo ( I think) spouted many liberalish concerns, animal rights amongst them. Anyhow Waco was the straw that broke that camel's back. If Bush had done Waco, his reckless, stupid, lazy, unfocused decision would have been blamed for Oklahoma City. But, the great Clinton was the prez and thus skated. Was it established that Monica was rendering the great man a bj when he gave Reno the green light for the attack on the compound that she insisted she would do over again if offered the same set of circumstances ? Those who deride Lady Sarah, do you really think she'd have been as stupid as the Clinton genius factory if she were the prez and facing such a decision ? Let's call him Bobby J Super Star. Have some fun with his lack of " star power", or KAREEZMA.
Bill Bailey| 2.25.09 @ 10:12AM
I don't think Jindal was as bad as some are saying but I'm still disappointed because I thought he would be better. He seems pedantic, like a cross between Al Gore and Mr. Rogers. But his career is only beginning, really. I'm sure he'll get better over time. Obama is a hard act to follow as an orator and as has already been noted coming across well while staring into a TV camera in an empty room is very difficult.
Mike M| 2.25.09 @ 11:28AM
jharp;
Nice to see you leave the NAMBLA website and check in. Maybe you'll learn something.
Tim| 2.25.09 @ 11:29AM
Palin/Jindal 2012
Jindal/Palin 2012
both work.
Even the far left media tyrants and their tyranical friends in congress and in the white house administration will have a very hard time sustaining their woman and minority bashing.
That gimick worked in 2008 but as with the Obama victory itself it was a one time Dog and Pony show that won't hunt too well in the future.
Frank Marschino| 2.25.09 @ 11:29AM
jharp, you are a moron.
Obama 1st and Last| 2.25.09 @ 11:37AM
What America needs to lead the country is God no one else can lead that country to salvation.
Some call it Babylon, in the days of Nebuchadnezzar, at least he had the sense to call Daniel to ask what does this all mean.
By the time most Americans wake up out of the trance most seem to be in it's too late.
I saw a man on CBS yesterday sold his house he brought for $200.000 he had to sell it for $1.00
another house sold for $1.100. Another lady said she would accept $3.000 for her home she paid $100.000 to buy.
The United States and Britain is in Prophecy, and None of the two will regain it's power. The same way Nebuchadnezzar lost his kingdom is the same way the UK and US will lose theirs.
Asia is where the Business is, it's where the wealth is gone. What the Banks are doing is moving, shifting the worthless dollars, and they will put it in one Bank, in simple terms I am putting out my rubbish, and it will get taken to the dump. Any body is left holding dollars is in serious trouble.
I would stop worring about the Politicans, and worry about yourselves, there will be no more presidents in America. Obama is the first Black president and will be the last president.
If people are selling homes for one dollar in America, you don't need a rocket scientist to say The American dream is dead, and George W. Bush killed it. All that remains is the nightmares.
Trackback| 2.25.09 @ 12:29PM
The American Spectator : Jindal's Perpetual Potential, on PunditKix, links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
whiterb| 2.25.09 @ 12:51PM
Somebody who thinks he's a big winner sure likes sniffing around the losers locker room. Keep an eye on your sweaty socks and jockstraps.
Oldefarte| 2.25.09 @ 1:12PM
Amzing that this moron JHARPO is commenting on a conservative outlet instead of to his fellow socialists on a MSM blog; and he should be ashamed to discredit Republican leaders when in one month's time, Tony Saprano Obama has put forth Geithner, Dashle, Richardson, etc [not a surprise since he turned a blind eye to Jeremiah for 20 years], in addition to being a stooge for Nancy's and Harry's wealth re-distribution [so called stimulus and housing bills] garbage. Quin's article was brilliantly accurate and informative as usual, but I am of the opinion that what Republicans need is NOT an ORATOR, but a MANAGER- LEADER. Communication skills such as Reagan's are extremely useful, but what is more important are the skills [bent toward conservatism] of a Lyndon Johnson type that is experienced politically and who knows how to get things done [and not just talk about it]. America is now on the path to destruction, and if someone does not step forward and rally the hard working, tax paying conservative American voters into supporting a movement to save this country, America's days are limited. Personally, I prefer politicians on the order of Haley Barbour or Newt Gengrich.
Truth to Power| 2.25.09 @ 1:18PM
jharp reads Paul Krugman. It all makes sense, even the NAMBLA stuff.
rw| 2.25.09 @ 1:23PM
For the life of me I just don't understand why so many people think Obama is such a great orator. When I listen to the guy all I hear are empty platitudes and deceit. Kind of like a used car salesman if you ask me.
Why do we keep worrying about experience?Obviously, experience counts for nothing. Our fearless leader proves his inexperience daily. He's never been in charge of anything. He's never lead anything. Until now.
rw| 2.25.09 @ 1:42PM
Jharp,
Why the hate? I expressed my own opinion. Which I am still entitled to.
You want to debate? Fine lets debate.
Your hate as expressed through your insults adds nothing to the debate here. You, like all liberals, prefer to philibuster, grandstand, and shout down the opposition. Your method of debate is more akin to that of a 3 year old throwing a tantrum in oppostion to taking a nap. I suggest you take the nap. It might do you some good.
Red Phillips | 2.25.09 @ 1:52PM
Jindal is a cookie-cutter mainstream movement "conservative" type which is exactly what we don't need. (And last I heard he was flawed on immigration.)
Real conservatives have a leader and his name is Ron Paul and they need to quit looking to these entirely ordinary movement types. Sanford may not be entirely ordinary but he needs to come out as a non-interventionist which he is rumored to be. And Palin was not ordinary until she hooked her wagon to McAmnesty and ruined her outsider street cred. Jindal has never been anything but ordinary.
rw| 2.25.09 @ 2:13PM
Apparently, you hate anyone that doesn't agree with you or anyone that's not of your politcial persuasion. Your hate is only trumped by your self adulation.
My opinion would be ignorant only if it were uninformed. But, alas, my opinion is informed and many people would say and have said the same as I said. His speeches are nothing but empty platitudes and deceit.
What constitutes great oratory is a debatable subject but you choose to attack me rather than debate the vacuous nature of his speeches.
Truth to Power| 2.25.09 @ 2:15PM
jharp,
Self hate never leads anyplace. By the way, I don't really want to talk to you until you are back on your meds. I'll know.
Ed| 2.25.09 @ 2:18PM
Red Phillips,
Ron Paul's a nut.
jharp,
Since it's no suprise that a liberals would hate Jindal, I really don't think you're contributing much. As for a volcanoe warning system - if our situation is really as dire as O says it is, do ya think that should be a top priority??
About your 'brilliant orator', he claimed
"The automobile was invented in America". Wrong, it was invented in Germany, by a guy named Benz.
Liberty of Death| 2.25.09 @ 2:35PM
I don't understand why so many people think Gov. Jindal was horrible last night? Granted, I was at the gym and didn't have the head phones on, so I was reading his words closed-captioned. Everything he said was right on! It was real. I guess... it was his "delivery" that has everybody's panties in a wad. His speech was right on people.
Obama is out of his mind-- attacking plane owning businesses; championing the massive welfare SCHIP bill; talking about fiscal responsibility, while simultaneously passing the largest pork bill in history; and giving more money to the school unions that are failing our children??? I am praying it's only a matter of time before the country comes out of its slumber and kicks this guys @$$ out of the White House.
People need to start listening to the substance of the message and stop judging the president and his detractors with American Idol goggles on.
Republicans are finally on the right track. Hang the past where it belongs... in the past. Liberals would like to pin everything on Pres. Bush for the next 4 years, but we know who really owns this bag. Evil, corrupt, Bankers who force fed bad loans to people who couldn't pay them back! That's who! HAHAHAHA.... don't make me laugh. The Democrats were the catalyst with their "feel-good" legislation. It sounds nice, but it is simply not realistic to think every American should own a home.
Democrats are talking in soaring rhetoric, while stabbing you slowly in the back with their actions.
It is time to consider this country and not just your party "Democrats." We'll forgive you if you stop this Obama lunacy and come down on the side of what is right for the nation.
Jeremiah| 2.25.09 @ 2:36PM
I am a liberal, and I believe Jindal represents a much bigger threat to Obama in '12 than Sarah Palin does.
Still, I'd prefer Jindal to Palin, simply because the Republicans might win, and I think he's clearly much more prepared to be president than she is.
Jindal has ideas that I think are a little crazy, and his adherence to conservative orthodoxies seems weird in a time when the world economy is collapsing, but I do believe he's a thoughtful, decent man, and the fact that he is an articulate speaker, unlike the raving priestess of Alaska, makes a very big difference.
Liberty or Death| 2.25.09 @ 2:40PM
Liberty OR Death. Sorry Patrick Henry.
Charlene| 2.25.09 @ 2:40PM
jharp:
Your low level of intelligence is clearly evidenced by your hateful habit of name calling. Usually, people who resort to name calling have nothing else to draw from. You apparently only agree with free speech, views, thoughts and opinions when they align with yours. Obviously, you are incapable of participating in any type of an educated, intelligent, adult discussion. President Obama has certainly had a positive impact on uniting the Country.
Red Phillips | 2.25.09 @ 2:45PM
"Ron Paul's a nut."
Wow Ed. That was a really intelligent and enlightening comment. Now, if it's not too much trouble, please explain to me what about following the Constitution as originally intended is "nutty."
And please let me know if you consider yourself a conservative, because I would really like to know how anything less than following the Constitution as originally intended could be considered conservative.
Thanks.
Mark | 2.25.09 @ 2:49PM
It seems Matthews was upset that Jindal did not give him a "tingle up his leg" like Obama does.
MSNBC screws up, reacts to Bobby Jindal by saying, Oh God
Craigo| 2.25.09 @ 3:47PM
ame You are my hero!
Obama Rules obviously works for MSNBC.
whiterb| 2.25.09 @ 4:19PM
Hasbro has a new toy. It's called Jackoff in Box. It's popping up and off everywhere. It is a popular toy in democrat households, where masturbation of every variety is a sacred rite.
Oldfarte| 2.25.09 @ 4:55PM
Hopefully the moronic/imbicilic JHarp paid for his liberal Ohio State education, and [unlike his beloved Messiah] didn't rely upon governmental taxes/welfare [paid by us Southern rednecks] to finance his idiocy:
[".... I plan on doing everything I can to keep conservatism where it belongs and where it is now. A powerless minority of the redneck uneducated old confederacy..."]
allikatzpop| 2.25.09 @ 5:32PM
What will all the liberals from, the Great Northeast(Kennedyland) and the West coast(Pelosiville) do when their eyes are opened and they see their"messiah",(like the king)is wearing no clothes?
Truth to Power| 2.25.09 @ 5:49PM
jharp won't take his meds anymore. He apparently thinks that he has made an argument of some kind. I have reasoned my way to this conclusion by carefully studying his ranting profane style. I have seen this on the street.
Signs and symptoms which occur during an episode of mania are:
1. Enhanced energy, high state of excitability and increased activity.
2. Feelings of euphoria, greatness and generally excited mood.
3. Gets irritable even at the smallest of incidences.
4. Lightening speed talk, thoughts and changing ideas.
5. Lack of concentration accompanied by less sleep.
6. Feelings of grandeur and false belief in their own capacity.
7. Lack of a good judgment.
8. Unusual behavior that is easily recognizable.
9. Easily provoked, excessive intrusion in other’s affairs, state of aggression and angry.
10. Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior.
jharp does most of this and I am almost sure we have a lightening talker here.
Who could argue with this diagnosis other than a crazy person who won't take their meds?
Red Phillips | 2.25.09 @ 6:10PM
"Without us you'd be even poorer and more ignorant."
jharp is obviously trying to compete with Interloper and Michigan-Matt for title of most bigoted anti-bigot.
Bigotry is fine, you see, as long as it is being practiced by the self-anointed morally superior anti-bigots.
Some of us prefer to call this phenomenon by its other name, hypocrisy.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.09 @ 6:52PM
Jeremiah: "I am a liberal"
yeah um we seem to have heard that somewhere.
Jer,
you losel cad racist, go to NAMBLA site with rest of your ilk.
Earl Anderson| 2.25.09 @ 7:03PM
The Alchemist in Chief and his Ivy League assistant alchemists all believe you can create wealth out of nothing but money transfers from one group of people to another while siphoning off large amounts for administrative overhead. This theory is no different than the alchemists who thought if they just tried hard enough they could turn lead into gold. So much for real science being used to improve the decision making of this administration. All hail the new science of alchemy.
Earl Anderson| 2.25.09 @ 7:45PM
jharp;
The fact that the dems hold a majority is no proof of anything. If I asked 100 people to vote on whether a metal coin was a solid, liquid or gas and 59 said it was a liquid and 41 said it was a gas. They may all be sincere but they still would be 100% wrong. So try again. What did I make up; the Alchemist in Chief was clear in his speech and in his bill(s) that he was making massive wealth transfers.
His approval rating of 62% is the average approval rating of all of the presidents at this 30 day point in the last 32 years, so it is nothing to crow about. No more or less popular than Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton or Bush Jr. at this point. So again who is making things up.
jharp I have no respect for psychics. You must have been channeling the wrong spirit labeling me a republican. Don't remember mentioning my party affiliation. But you don't seem to have much trouble making things up do you.
BTW: I am an Independent.
As usual the leftist won't provide any facts other than act like a school yard bully bragging that the football is his (We won) and if we don't let him have his way he will call us names (wingnuts) and go home.
Liberty or Death| 2.25.09 @ 9:07PM
You amuse me jharp. All you liberals "feel" your way through everything. You don't think, and that is your flaw.
Yes, your guy won. Hurray for you dude. What do you want a medal or something?
At what cost... time will tell. Maybe you are one of those anarchists ruing for America's destruction. Or maybe you are just drunk on the Obama-laid like all of his Jim Jones followers.
Either way... it's good to have you around just to prove a point. Liberals have their heads so far up their @$$ they often times don't know what time of day it is. How these same people are in power is beyond comprehension... I guess America will just have to learn the hard way.
Thanks jharp, and keep it up. I look forward to more witty remarks in the future.
Tim| 2.25.09 @ 9:18PM
I just took a healthy Jharp...
But I let my cat flush it down.
Even animals have got to earn their keep.
LET'S GET REAL| 2.25.09 @ 9:31PM
No more excuses for age, ethicity, the poor dietary practices of Louisianans, the collapse of the price of oil, etc. Jindal ran for and was elected governor, not of a province of a banana republic but of a state of the USA. Jindal needs t0 prove that he can do more than parrot GOP platitudes and sing his own praises. Let's see delivery on promises and achievement of things of substance - first for the people of Louisiana and then others. It is an absurdity for talking heads of the GOP to engage in serious discourse about having this guy run for president in 2012, or maybe ever. No more "We like this guy, so vote for him." Let's have "this guy has proved that he can achieve what is good for people, so he deserves your vote."
whiterb| 2.25.09 @ 9:37PM
Tim, good choice the cat. If you used the dog, with their sense of smell you could be looking at potential animal abuse.
Interloper| 2.25.09 @ 9:45PM
The best response, not so dear knuckle draggers of the American Spectator, after the Piyush Jindal debacle, would have been to admit that the poor confused 'anchor baby,' as y'all say, bombed hopelessly. Since many of you are unable to confront reality directly, second choice would be silence on the topic. In your mouths, even silence isn't golden, but it is better than the laughable lying contest occurring here.
The truth is marching on.
Dez| 2.25.09 @ 9:50PM
jharp, I'm a liberal and I'm ashamed to read your rant on this page. Do you know any Democrat politician who talks trash like you do? Come on man, give those guys a break as long as they don't insult our president! Don't you embarrass us.
Palin2012| 2.25.09 @ 9:56PM
Jindal, stay in Luisana. You are NOT goning to be elected president of US.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.09 @ 10:00PM
yessum, we would never insult O. like Dubya got insulted.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.09 @ 10:03PM
doesnt work like that
sure wish Palin could be president in 2013, but it will take more than 4 years-- more like the whole decade.
LET'S GET REAL| 2.25.09 @ 10:07PM
Jindal's speech exhibited a marked lack of gravitas, pace Alan Brooks.
It's totally unclear what makes AME think Jindal is a "leader." I accept that Jindal is a person of principle, to an extent, but it is patently false that Jindal is not a person of politics, even if he has a moral and ethical center.
Jindal does not really give me hope. If he is the best the GOP has to offer, the nation is hurting. This would explain, though, Jindal's meteoric rise in the GOP ranks. The GOP is largely bereft of talent, or the ability to translate its talent into political impact.
Ryan is right - underwhelming. Nice guy, OK. Has Jindal ever really held a real job? He was a consultant for a couple of years? Is a consultant a real job? What did he advise on? What impact did his advice have? Did it achieve anything of lasting worth other than building his own bank account? What? Did he create anything? What?
Has anyone ever really examined what lasting impact Jindal has had in any of numerous government jobs?
Palin2012 is right - about Jindal. Palin as president? No, thanks.
whiterb| 2.25.09 @ 10:56PM
Still like to see Jindal debate Obama. I see Mr. Cool sweating, and maybe losing it. But hey, let him just beat Moon's silly little girl someday. I'd be most grateful. As for 2012, let's run Gingrich-Delay and watch the media go totally nuts. Imagine if the polls tightened down the stretch in that race ? The left would reach new, previously thought unattainable levels of beserkoness.Somebody should make a movie of such a scenario. Tom Hanks as David Gergen. Sean Penn as Larry King. Interloper as Keith Blowberman. Gotta go work on the script. Is Olympia Dukakis too young to play Angela Mitchell?George Burns can play Alan Greenspan. They can do a love scene, but very tasteful. Dustin Hoffman can play Helen Thomas, since he's played a woman and a 120 year old Indian.
rad| 2.26.09 @ 12:25AM
hey guys before you look at the speech, look at Mr Jindal record as governor, because of him , hurricane Gustav had less than 20 deaths, and look at the health system in the Louisiana, and look at the education and university system in Louisiana and tax models.
and at the same time what did obama had before he ran for the president?? answer this. just talking eloquently doesn’t make you intelligent and efficient. you gotta have content.
and in december only one state had a record of adding jobs in the whole entire states is lousiana.
rad| 2.26.09 @ 12:35AM
http://www.wwltv.com/topstories/stories/wwl121008tpeconomy.4edb9b2e.html
Jim| 2.26.09 @ 12:46AM
jharp,
Your ignorance is appalling, Limbaugh is not running for office, are you afraid his message cause the sheeple to wake up. Why no mention of obama's coke habit? Your "racist" label is also tiresome, perhaps your controllers can do something about your limited vocabulary.
Obama is not a great orator, without the teleprompter and digital guidance from his enablers he, like you, are barely able to carry on a conversation let alone convey an original thought. You should change your name to Buffoonish Anus.
Original Thoughts| 2.26.09 @ 1:59AM
To our poor little liberal friend jharp: if socialism is such a good thing, why do all the europeans who live in these "utopias" come over here to make money? Here, I'll answer for you, because there is no incentive to work in these collectivist economies. You are not going to do any better or worse than any of your neighbors no matter what, so everyone does the bare minimum to get by. Why be a doctor if you get paid the same as a trashman or a secretary? Then the country's productivity goes in the toilet, and you are forced to join with the other 75 countries on your continent just to have a sustainable economy. Perhaps we can give the libs the the western half of the country...
Wake Up Please| 2.26.09 @ 4:09AM
Barack Obama is "Orwellian"?
And in contrast Jindal with his speech provided "hope for the future"? Please.
In broad strokes there are two type of Republicans - those, like David Brooks, who realized that Jindal talked a lot of nonsense, and those who beleive what they want to believe no matter how wrong history has shown it to be. We need more of the David Brooks type, and less of the "GWB is a great president - no matter what he did type", because the later group is terrible for the Republican party, and terrible for America.
Bram| 2.26.09 @ 8:25AM
RW - Like you, I hear nothing but platitudes and Orwellian double-speak coming from Obama's mouth. That is because somewhere along the line, we both learned to ignore style and listen to content. Unfortunately most Americans hear the style and ignore the content.
I really like Jindal (much more than Palin) because he speaks directly with fully realized thoughts. It also helps that I am a small government conservative like Mr. Jindal.
If, in 3 years, people have had enough of President Obama’s stylish nonsense (as well as his idiot defenders like jharp) and open their ears – Bobby Jindal may be President.
TBirD| 2.26.09 @ 9:46AM
I think the only thing that would have completed Jindal's speech was if he took off his shoes put some slippers on, sat in chair and asked, “Won’t you be my neighbor” or maybe some “Leave it to Beaver” music in the background, I can’t decide.
It felt like 3rd grade speech class watching and listening to it. Jindal might have substance but the speech was very non-eventful. People who thought it was good could have just seen a picture of Jindal flash across the screen with some elevator music in the background and they would have applauded it.
Bram| 2.26.09 @ 10:32AM
Would he have kept your attention if he spoke over a bed of techno music?
TBirD| 2.26.09 @ 11:33AM
I honestly I don't think it would have mattered what music they played the speech was lackluster and felt like the same ole' Rep rhetoric I have hear before. This is the new face of the GOP? Good luck!
Joe B| 2.26.09 @ 12:41PM
Sooner or later Jindal will betray the conservative movement. If he and Steele are any indication of how the Republicans will choose Obama's challenger in 2012, we're screwed. I think we need a strong independent candidate to elbow his way to the front. It's too bad Jeff Sessions is such a gentleman. We need someone who's utterly incensed and willing to attack Obama on everything, including his anti white attitudes and redistributionist policies, which are just the flip side of anti white racism.
Hugh Briss| 2.26.09 @ 1:32PM
I'd heard a lot of buzz about Jindal but hadn't seen him on TV before his "rebuttal" speech.
I was underwhelmed, to say the least.
Like watching a Louisiana Liberace.
Nokedoke| 2.26.09 @ 1:39PM
Jharp,
Bravo. You're kicking all their ignorant, low class, trashy asses.
georgep| 2.26.09 @ 3:24PM
Jindal's response was bad in many ways, but hokey style was only one of the reasons. The content was more interesting and telling. It appeared as if Jindal had the speech prepared a long time before Obama gave his, and the reaction came across as disjointed from the actual context of Obama's speech itself. A REACTION should react to what has just been said. Instead we were treated to a conservative boilerplate that in several instances was at odds with what Obama had just said to Congress.
Also, the notion that we should not be investing anything in --- gasp -- VOLCANO MONITORING -- is unbelievable, coming from a Congressman and now governor of a state that has been hit hard by a natural disaster. Monitoring and developing better warning systems dealing with hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic activity, can contribute to saving countless lives. Instead of demagoguing about it because that is the "conservative" way, Jindal, of all people, should lead and invest in the development of improved ways to provide early natural disaster warning methods. Just plain ridiculous to mock spending on natural disaster monitoring as worthless pork.
As for health care: Ours is the only industrialized nation that does not have a universal health care system. There is a variety of ways to achieve universal health care, from the system used in Spain, which is entirely run by the government, to the system used in Germany, which achieves universality by spreading the system over 100 independent providers. Given how citizens of every industrialized country aside from the US view universal health care coverage it is safe to say that the GOP and her conservative wing in particular better hope that universal health coverage never gets passed to replace our current broken system, as that would, for conservatives fervently opposing it, likely lead to a much longer period in the wilderness and descent into insignificance than would otherwise be the case.
georgep| 2.26.09 @ 3:30PM
JoeB_
The only people who are of that ilk are the firebrands on radio. Problem is that people like Limbaugh and Hannity are unelectable.
Interloper| 2.26.09 @ 4:12PM
I am going to agree with a couple of AS' regular commenters.
Jim, I also urge people to look at Piyush Jindal's record and Louisiana's situation in general. The highlight of Jindal's 'service' in government was his elimination of 40,000 people, most of them infants and children, from Louisiana's rickety state health plan in the 1990s. He saved the state money by guaranteeing worse health for an already under-served demographic. Like most of its Southern neighbors, Louisiana receives more federal funds than it pays in taxes. It is near the bottom of the heap in educational attainment, health of citizens, wages, public works and other indicia of quality of life. People should familiarize themselves with the facts about Louisiana and then ask whether they want to model their state after it.
I also am in the tank for Joe B's suggestion. He said:
"We need someone who's utterly incensed and willing to attack Obama on everything, including his anti white attitudes and redistributionist policies, which are just the flip side of anti white racism."
I heartily applaud Joe B's plan to run a white supremacist like himself against President Obama in 2012. If the President continues to govern well, he certainly will be reelected. But, if he is challenged by a barely disguised segregationist like Joe Sessions, or better yet, Mark Sanford, what would have been a campaign will become a cakewalk. Go for it!
Fortnight| 2.26.09 @ 5:28PM
Economics 101: GDP = C+ I + G + (X-M)
C = Consumer Spending
I = Business Investment
G = Government Spending
X - M = Trade Balance (Exports - Imports)
The problem the Obama Administration has to solve, to keep the economy (as measured by GDP) from collapsing, is to stabilize and eventually increase C, I or G (trade balance is more of a side-effect than a causality). Now you may have heard that C and I are way down. Conservatives would tell you the solution is easy, cut taxes and give consumers and businesses more money to spend. There are a couple of problems with this. One is that, with the exception of very low-income people who are desperately trying to feed, clothe and shelter their families, consumers don’t spend this money during times of recession. They are scared they are going to lose their jobs, so instead they save it or use it to pay off debt (neither of which directly contribute to GDP). That is why Bush’s 2008 tax rebate was widely considered an expensive failure. Economists (and the data) agree that it would have been much more effective if it had been targeted at low-income families. That is why Obama is, smartly, targeting tax cuts (which make up 40% of the stimulus package) to families earning less than $75k. And yes there are many families out there who earn so little that they don’t have to pay income tax but they still pay payroll taxes so don’t give me that crap about giving money away to people who don’t pay taxes. The second problem with consumer tax cuts is that people have to have income (aka jobs) to benefit. And this economy is losing jobs at a faster pace than anybody can remember.
So now the argument changes to tax cuts for the businesses to keep people employed and build new factories, etc. This argument too falls flat on its face. With consumers not buying, inventories are growing and it doesn’t make good business sense to produce more when you can’t even sell what you already have sitting on the shelves. Plus, even if this weren’t true, factories require long planning periods, etc. Studies have shown that each $1 cut in business taxes only injects 30 cents into the economy. Compare that to the $1.63 bang you get for each additional buck in unemployment benefits.
By the way, remember how John McCain always talked about the corporate tax rate in the United States scaring away employers (which isn’t really true since two-thirds of U.S. Corporations paid no income tax between 1998 and 2005)? Remember how he spoke in glowing terms about Ireland and promised he would make our economy look more like theirs? You might want to check up on how they are doing these days.
So since there isn’t much we can do about C or I, that leaves us with G. In times of crisis, the government is the only entity with enough resources to make up for the drop in C and I. There are lots of ways for the government to spend money but Obama is focused on the smart ways. Instead of just spending a lot of money and not having anything to show for it, they are going to spend the money in ways that will not only shore up GDP in the short-term but also leave us a more sound infrastructure, a better educated workforce, less dependent on foreign sources of energy, a better climate and a safer and more cost effective health care system (which will save us lots of money on Medicare especially as baby boomers start retiring).
The money that goes to the unemployed will help them buy groceries, which is not only the right thing to do but will also mean jobs for the people who make and ship the food and work at the grocery store. And then those people can go out and spend their paychecks too.
The money that goes to the states to help them with their budgets will mean they don’t have to layoff first responders, teachers, nurses, etc. And yes, you guessed it, those people all have to buy food and clothes and maybe splurge on a meal out (prepared and served by, you know, more job-having people).
What's that? You're okay with that type of spending? Not just the wasteful spending? Like the money for volcano monitoring that Bobby Jindal attacked in his response? Think about this for a second. Won't that money give jobs to not only scientists but also the people who design, manufacture and deliver the monitoring instruments? And the people who work in the offices that provide those services? And don't all those people buy groceries and clothes and go out to eat? Not so wasteful after all, is it? There is also, you know, the added benefit of potentially saving thousands of lives and millions of dollars of property. Maybe you don't care because like Bobby Jindal you don't live anywhere close to a volcano. Louisiana may not have volcanoes but they do have hurricanes (the name Katrina ring a bell?). But if you insist this is wasteful spending, fine, let's do it your way and cut spending for N.O.A.A. and the National Weather Service. That way we won’t have to worry about those pesky warnings about tornadoes, earthquakes, or blizzards either. Don’t you just hate when they interrupt your favorite television show? Besides nothing makes for better reality television than video of places like Greensburg, Kansas after a tornado wipes it off the map.
Now of course we could do nothing and not spend any money. Of course that will put even more on the shoulders of our children and really would be an act of generational theft. Doing nothing would mean big drops in GDP. Tax revenues are directly correlated to GDP so now governments (federal, state, local) are taking in even less money. So not only will they have to start laying off workers (police, fire, nurses, etc) but there will also be an increased demand for unemployment, food stamps, etc. I guess we could let those people starve or turn to crime (there won't be any police to stop them) but even the most cynical conservatives say they support a basic social safety net. So what happens when revenues decrease and expenditures increase? Oh yeah, your deficit gets bigger! So under this scenario do we not only do nothing in the short-term to stop the economic decline or make any kind of long-term investment in our future but we also end up with even larger deficits that our children will have to pay off. And good luck to them doing that because the governments won't be able to do things like maintain roads, so people won't be able to get to work and trucks won't be able to make deliveries.
Finally, as far as Ben Bernanke’s testimony today, all he really said was things will go well in 2010 if things go well. In other words, in true Fed Chairman fashion, he didn’t say much of anything. The underlying theme of his testimony though, as President Obama said (on Tuesday), is that the economy is doomed unless we get credit flowing again. Because if the stimulus works and consumers regain confidence and businesses are willing to invest in increased production capacity, they will still need access to loans to finance buying a car, building that factory, or to cover the gap between when a product is built (and the employees paid) and when the revenue comes back. That is why President Obama spent so much time talking about making sure the banks that accept taxpayer money actually use it in ways that benefit taxpayers instead of the Bush/Paulson approach of just giving them a bunch of money without any concern about how it was used.
Truth Teller| 2.26.09 @ 6:25PM
According to Jharp "That's not bigotry, you numb skull. That is the truth."
Oh so now Mr. Jharp who is all concerned about racism is interested in the "truth." Apparently he thinks the truth is a defense for prejudice. I suspect Mr. JHarp better be careful what he wishes for. I seriously doubt that he really wants to talk about the truth as it relates to prejudice. The truth will not help his cause.
Two words for you truth seeking Jharp: Bell Curve.
You want to talk about the truth. You want to talk about the facts. Then let's talk bigmouth. Put up or shut up.
PCP Smoker| 2.26.09 @ 6:37PM
Let me guess..this is the "a different perspective". He did well. Relax. Are you so caught up with Socialist Hussein that everyone has to match him? Scree you creep
Interloper| 2.26.09 @ 7:49PM
Yours is an excellent explanation of why we need the stimulus package and what it will achieve, Fortnight. Here at the American Spectator, you can expect to see it ignored.
TBirD| 2.26.09 @ 10:33PM
Great Post Fortnight!
It is good to see sound logic and a detailed explaination of the Obama's plan. Lets see if anyone here can counter your points in a manor worthy of your post.
Cheers!
Nick| 2.27.09 @ 12:45AM
Fortnight,
Stop listening to Keynesian economists, and try talking to someone who's actually run a business. Paying people this April 15th more than they got last year, over and above what was withheld, is not a tax cut. It's welfare.
I thought you union loving liberals have been screaming that free trade has driven manufacturing overseas? So who is producing all these goods that are sitting on the shelves?
And what about when the business' unemployment insurance premiums go up? Are they going to get a check? Hell no. And when their state requires more money into their unemployment pool? Do you have ANY idea how a small business works? They employ most of the workforce. And you say 2/3 of corp. didn't pay any income tax? Where did you get that nugget, mother jones or the daily worker?
And yes, I would get rid of NOAA, the Air Force did just fine with weather monitoring. Did you know that before the Civil War, the only interaction most people had with the Federal gov. was when they came into town to pick up their mail? Ahh...to be that free again.
I could go on shredding your novel (i.e. work of fiction), but I made my points.
Interloper| 2.27.09 @ 6:04AM
I looked back to see who wrote the ignorant comment above after reaching this passage:
"Did you know that before the Civil War, the only interaction most people had with the Federal gov. was when they came into town to pick up their mail? Ahh...to be that free again."
Who in the world thinks pre-Civil War America epitomized freedom? Neo-Confederate Nick of course.
Nick| 2.27.09 @ 10:35AM
Interloper,
It wasn't a statement on slavery, bleeding heart.
I guess people like you have to have everything explained to you. The point is the Feds didn't have their tentacles into every aspect of our lives for the first hundred years. And that was a good thing, neo-marxist.
The Fed $100. bill JOKE| 2.27.09 @ 11:19AM
People don't fall out with each other, it's over America fell into the trap, Britain set the original trap, for America. Britain control the whole of Africa for free minerals and set tribes against one another, to chase one group or another off various parts of the continent, to prevent them growing food on the land and settling. They have done that successfully for the last 500 years they are expert in destroying countries. Look what they did to Zimbabwe, anyone not in the know would think Mugabe did it to his own country.
Everything in the world belongs to the Crown, and the Pope owns the rest, look it up, the have called time on our ass.
Pingback| 2.27.09 @ 11:31AM
And Jindal Responds (Updated) | Caffeinated Thoughts links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Nick| 2.27.09 @ 11:49AM
Interloper,
I notice you didn't even try to rebut any of my arguments. Ever had to make a payroll?
BreakRoomLive | 2.27.09 @ 1:54PM
A hilarious moment from some hot GOP on GOP action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0CMgcCOoG8
Fortnight| 2.27.09 @ 5:34PM
@ Nick..."do you have ANY idea how a small business works? They employ most of the workforce. " FYI, yes I do have a very good idea how small business works. I just so happen to be President (and designer, female at that) of a manufacturing company in So Cal. for the past 17 years. AND I don't mfgr off shore. Made in USA is proudly displayed on my products. So put down your joy stick little Nick, and go back and get your GED. Before spewing what you ASSUME K-economics are about, try sitting in my chair for a week. Oh and watch out for your little pinkies, shredders can be a dangerous thing.
BTW...thank you TBirD, may I call you a wise and gracious gentleman.
rightwingedandproudofit| 2.27.09 @ 6:08PM
Bram you are right!! I agree with you liberty of death on 2/25 too. Bobby Jindal is a breath of fresh air. I would take him anyday over Obama. Jindal would make a good leader someday he is definately real change we can actually believe in. I just pray to God that in 2012 the obama error pelosi error reid err0r will end.
Nick| 2.27.09 @ 6:11PM
Miss Fortnight,
Is that the same California that businesses are fleeing from? And has the disfunctional government?
That is a nice bio, list of trivial facts, ad hominem attack; but not a refutation of what I wrote.
So how does unemployement work in CA? Do you have a pool like we do in Michigan? Is your pool negative, like it is here? How is paying people NOT to find a job good for the economy?
How much has your workmen's comp gone up in the last 5 years? Are you going to be surprised if the congress raises the employer side of FICA?
If you're going to write a tome the size of yours, you should at least be willing to defend it.
Nice Job| 3.1.09 @ 1:24PM
Nice job spinning Inexperience as Perpetual Potential. So this is it, there's really no one else? Rush? Palin? All good candidates for another Obama victory in 2012. Or maybe it's because Jindal, like Obama, is off-white and younger than 50? Haha. Maybe you should go with Steele's idea for a Hip Hop makeover for the GOP? All great ideas guys! You're really showing what you're made of! Maybe whine some more about how New Yorkers are too smart and anti-American.
All your babbling makes transparent your desperation. Use the good brains on your shoulders and come up with something substantive, and identify a real leader, or you've already secured another victory for Obama in 2012.
THE PUPPET RULES| 3.1.09 @ 4:31PM
While the Republicans is worried which idiot they will have represent them at the next election, they are losing the plot.
What is important is finding a leader that is not the puppet of the establishment.
Cerulean| 3.1.09 @ 10:03PM
Nick, doesn't California have a REPUBLICAN Gov? You and your ilk so represent the blowhard arrogance that will usher the Republican party into oblivion.
Well done Fortnight, erudite and comprehensive. Thanks for your contribution. We need to hear more opinons and comments that stir the blood.
Nick| 3.1.09 @ 10:25PM
Cerulean,
Doesn't California have a LIBERAL Republican gov.? What's your point? That liberal governance is incompetent no matter which party does it? Then we agree.
Rudy| 3.2.09 @ 10:50PM
It does not take a smart person to figure out in a short lifetime that the liberal tax and spend policies do not work. They crumble eventually under the weight of the ever rising expectations of the electorate that is accustomed to receiving more and more largess from local, state and federal governments. Obama's tax and spend policies will lead to an economic meltdown. It is only a matter of time. Don't tell me what a great economy we had under Clinton. He had to work with a Republican congress for 6 years that kept his spending under control. If you want to know where this country is headed, just review the economic meltdown that we went through under Carter. I lived it. My first car loan was 25% interest. No, I did not have poor credit. Additionally, the monster in the closet is high gas prices. Even if the economy starts moving again, OPEC and speculators around the world are waiting to drain the country's cash through $5 per gallon gas. HIgh gas prices are what tipped the economy over the edge last year. When the high taxes, out of control gas prices, and ballooning budget deficit all come calling, I hope you have plenty of cash onhand.
Trackback| 5.31.09 @ 1:12AM
Model Ships, on Model Ships, links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
bvnbv| 11.25.09 @ 8:45PM
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