The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Jindal's Big Moment

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The Republican leadership has just announced that Bobby Jindal has been chosen to give the Republican response to President Obama's first State of the Union-ish speech, on February 24. While conservatives are familiar with Gov. Jindal, this is an oppourtunity for him to shine on a national stage. Jindal will have his work cut out for him, of course, by nature of the fact that he'll have to follow the rousing reception that President Obama will receive from the Democratic Congress. But still, he'll get a chance to introduce himself as a change-oriented Republican who can make intellegent criticisms of Obama while offering alternatives. Conservatives will be wondering, does Jindal have what it takes to succeed in national politics?

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Sebastian B. O. Buniontow V| 2.11.09 @ 3:13PM

Poor choice. Bobby can introduce himself all he wants, he's a wonk.

Red Phillips| 2.11.09 @ 4:24PM

If Jindal is the answer for conservatives then it really is all over.

Interloper| 2.11.09 @ 6:15PM

Jindal simply doesn't have 'legs.' The segment of conservatives he represents is small within the already shrunken Republican Party. As a Catholic extremist opposed to everything from abortion to global warning, he will alienate the Republican base as well as any moderates who will still consider voting Republican. His role in the incredibly backward state of Louisiana has been one of making matters worse, including reducing coverage of the state's already scarce medical coverage of children and the poor.

Then, there is the inevitable clash between Jindal and Sarah Palin. She will not take having him favored over her lightly. There will be attacks from her quarter, probably of a racial nature, considering her redneck bona fides.

Methinks Jindal is being chosen because the Republican leadership is clueless enough that they believe answering a person of color with another person of color means the two men are somehow equals. They're not.

Eliska Plunkett| 2.11.09 @ 10:17PM

Don't underestimate Bobby Jindal. He is bright, capable, and honest. I am proud to say he is my governor.

Red Phillips| 2.11.09 @ 10:45PM

Interloper, the South hating bigot who complains about everyone else's bigotry. Hmmm...

To clarify on Jindal, he is a solid conservative by modern movement conservative standards. But that is also his problem. He is not a Constitutionalist. He is not a non-interventionist or as far as I know even a foreign policy "realist." And on immigration, last I heard, he favors large increases in H1B visas. He is more of the same.

The reason he is being talked up is because conservatives who lack self confidence want to be able to inoculate themselves from charges of racism from PC obsessives like Interloper by saying they support a non-white candidate.

If Ron Paul is too old to run again in 2012 then we at least need a non-interventionist. John Duncan perhaps. By 2012 with the economy still in shambles there will be no ear, left or right, for world democracy crusading.

Y'all don't sweat Interloper. He turns and runs with his tail between his legs when someone actually stands up to his intellectually vacuous bullying.

charles gaines| 2.11.09 @ 11:36PM

Why no mention of Sanford. The more I hear the more I like.

charles gaines| 2.11.09 @ 11:37PM

Why no mention of Sanford. The more I hear the more I like.

Red Phillips| 2.11.09 @ 11:55PM

Sanford has been coy on the War. Rumor has it he was opposed, but I suspect he didn't think he could get away with taking that stand publicly in SC. I also heard he was close to endorsing Rudy. If that is true then he would be off my list.