[Louisiana Governor] Jindal rises in GOP's next generation

The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune ^ | November 6, 2008 | Jan Moller

[Ebenezer]

Ousted from power, party now turns to fresh faces

BATON ROUGE -- Gov. Bobby Jindal is among a short list of Republicans whose political stars stand to rise as the party looks for new ideas and leadership in the wake of Tuesday's landmark Democratic victories.

With the GOP out of power in both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1992-94, analysts expect attention to shift to the states, where many Republican governors remain popular with constituents despite the national repudiation of presidential standard-bearer John McCain and the GOP losses in Congress.

"This party is going to take on a new face and new leadership and younger leadership and he would seem to fit that bill pretty well," Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said of Jindal. "Right now it's a party without a leader, so there's a great void to be filled."

[woweeitsme]

I think Jindal is our best shot for 2012 or 2016 if Nobama gets re-elected.

Palin is great and I really think she’s a breath of fresh air in the political scene. I do think, however, the media has ruined her for future national political office. Unfortunately, they have an unbridled passion for making regular folks, in which I include Mrs. Palin, look stupid because they don’t go to Ivy League schools, and don’t hang in the political “in” crowd.

Jindal will be battle-tested and will get not get the “he’s dumb” label since he was a Rhodes scholar and would capably be able to go toe-to-toe with Nobama.

Palin would’ve eaten Obama’s lunch in a debate, and is very capable, and I think would be a great President in 4 years. Unfortunately, I think she’s going to have too much baggage.

[KansasGirl]

"Republican governors remain popular with constituents despite the national repudiation of presidential standard-bearer John McCain ..."

So now 56% of the vote is national repudiation. Give me a break!

[scooby321]

Palin, Jindal, Michele Bachmann ( she called democrats anti-american on Chrissy show), Eric Cantor all young real Conservatives who should be the face of the New GOP.

[KansasGirl]

I mean 46%!!

[Ranjit]

We need someone to articulate the conservative principles. People like Bobby and Palin,need to go these congressional districts and campaign for the election. Both can exhibit their knowledge on the issues and it will help in the primaries. Also meeting the base helps in building the party at the local levels.

[imfrmdixie]

I am sick of the Gentleman’s Old Party (GOP). They have a lovely woman in Alaska that won the hearts of conservatives during this election and that worked her butt off to try to get elected an antiquated old man who did not respect her during or after the election and they are choosing to push her aside to bring in the new young MEN....the Republican party needs to get its head on straight, understand that Hillary will not run for President if Obama runs again in 2012, and by not doing that will not be the first woman President.

The Republican party has a great opportunity to start right now and prime and polish Sarah Palin, preparing her IN THE RIGHT WAY for the national scene. The first minority President has already been elected. The Republican party could make history with the first woman...but...noooooooooooo.....it will be business as usual, looking at THE MAN as the only viable candidate. I wish women in this country would start their own party. Now, that’s an idea!

[skimbell]

I agree that Palin is excellent when she's saying what she wants to say. Jindal is OK, but I keep remembering Tim Pawlenty's performance on MTP prior to the election. He bazitch slapped Tom Brokaw all over the set. Pawlenty may not be the most exciting Republican in the stable but he's among the most intelligent.

Palin/Pawlenty is OK by me.

[imfrmdixie]

What the devil baggage does she carry....the lies of others? She was field dressed by the media...and what did they find that was the truth....NOTHING!!!!!!

[ilgipper]

I am hesitant whether she can recover too, but remember that she had some huge wins this season. She has a lot of work to be a real national contender now, but she has the skills. Her biggest disadvantage is that Alaska is not a good launching stage. No one will think about Alaska again until the next time she is a candidate. Plus, the media will continue to hammer her while she is out of sight.

Remember, too, that Bill Clinton’s big debut in 1998 was a disaster. He had a terrible keynote that put the audience to sleep at the convention. He ended up the President 4 years later. She is a very gifted politician, so she can do it. I am not ready to jump on the Palin bandwagon, but I look forward to seeing her again in the public eye soon. I am sure she will now hit the talk show circuit with more regularity.

[scooby321]

If you have a media killing GW Bush down to nothing and he got the blame for a stock market crash when people still gloss over the fraud Tech Bubble Clinton created.

I think the GOP did better than they should have.

[Hoodlum91]

Eric Cantor is already making waves. He’s going to challenge Blunt for the #2 spot. He’s definitely one to watch.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

Jindal/Blackburn 2012

Click Here

BTW:I like Palin but LIKE IT OR NOT the media has Dan Quayled her.She would have a huge mountain to climb to overcome the smear pieces on her. Politics suck.

[greedo]

a new face and new leadership and younger leadership

Sorry, that's not how it works in the official GOP presidential-party-covenant.

Whoever is the next OLDEST (R) senator in line after McCain will be the 2012 nominee.

IT'S HIS TURN.

[teacherbarbie]

Jindal has zero charisma.

[Ranjit]

You are missing the point. Bobby jindal is not our average republican. Guy has everything in his resume. I am not saying no for palin but she has to improve on policies. She has to come out and talk to the media. Show them that, she is qualified. Bobby\palin or palin\bobby will not be a bad choice.

[Bitsy]

Let’s concentrate on the house and senate first and stop trying to force people into the white house. Jindal will run when and if he wants to.

You are right. He is his own man. I am proud to say I voted for him for governor. He is the best thing ever in Louisiana politics. He's super intelligent, ethical, articulate, and has high moral values and knows how to get things done. Unlike Michelle, I have always been proud to be an American but this IS the first time I can truly say I am proud to be from Louisiana, in regards to politics that is.

[Jibaholic]

I’m glad to hear that my Asians are natural conservatives theory actually makes sense! On a purely tactical side I think we need to put the phrase ‘personal responsibility’ front and center. It unites both the economic and social conservatives, and it will even draw in moderates. Slogans like ‘Country first’ are deeply meaningful to many people, but I think personal responsibility and a culture of life are the two unifying themes of conservatism.

[mc6809e]

“Whatever. Palin 2012”

...Palin/Jindal 2012!! THAT...would be a beautiful thing!

A mistake for two reasons. First, Jindal is nearly the smartest person in politics. Pairing him with Palin would only highlight her intellectual shallowness. Fact is many young voters want an well-educated person for president. You can scoff, but it's a fact. And Jindal can show that it is possible to be religious and educated.

Second, even if Jindal is paired with Palin, he should be first on the ticket. His accomplishments go beyond that of Palin's. He just gotten more done and would deserve the first spot.

[zwerni]

he is very good...

i can see him leading the ticket

[KarlInOhio]

Who is the oldest Republican out there who has shown up on Meet the Press the most? That's who we'll pick in 2012. < /I wish it was sarcasm>

Jindal was my first choice for VP this year, but he made it quite clear that he was just recently elected governor and had a lot to do in Louisiana still.