Many people have suggested Condolessa Rice as a running mate for McCain as a match for the Black/female candidates of the Democrats. But she's largely an unknown in a lot of ways. An article I read recommends Bobby Jindal, and I think it's a great idea.

He's the recently elected 36 year old governor of Louisiana, and he already has an impressive record. Immediately after being elected governor, he called a special session and passed a 64 point anti-corruption reform in a state famous for corruption. He's currently calling a special session to ram thru the tax cuts needed to jump start the post-Katrina economy in Louisiana.

This guy is young, he's smart, and he has a 100% rating from the American Conservative Union! He's the first Indian elected governor of any state in the US. I think his candidacy would inject some excitement into McCain's ticket and balance McCain two weakest points:

His age.
His luke warm conservatism.

No, this is the time for change, real change. This is a time for someone whom everybody knows to be the rising star of the GOP, the new governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal.

And what a governor! Having taken office in January, after winning 54% of the vote in the open-field primary, Mr. Jindal immediately called a special session of the legislature and persuaded them to pass his 64-point agenda for ethics reform. They said ethics reform couldn't be done in Louisiana--a state whose reputation as a cesspool is legendary--but he did it in a two-week session. Now he's calling a second special session to pass the tax cuts necessary to jump-start the post-Katrina economy in his state.

Do some think this is an election about experience? Mr. Jindal, who was elected to Rep. David Vitter's seat when Mr. Vitter ran for U.S. Senate in 2004, was re-elected for a second term with 88% of the vote. That's not enough experience? It's as much experience in Congress as Barack Obama has to show for his three years. Oh, and by the way, Mr. Jindal, in his last term, had an American Conservative Union rating of 100, with 96 for both terms. In addition he has consistently taken the No New Taxes pledge proposed by Americans for Tax Reform.

Maybe some think that this is going to be an election about health care? Mr. Jindal's the man. In 1991 he was a young Hill staffer working for Rep. Jim McCrery. One day Mr. McCrery asked him to look over some Medicare plans being proposed in committee. A couple of days later, he brought back to the boss a totally revised system that was so impressive that Mr. McCrery remembered him and in 1995 introduced him to Gov.-elect Murphy J. Foster Jr. Mr. Jindal, at the age of 24, was appointed secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. He took hold of the state's Medicaid program, which was running at a loss of $400 million, and in three years produced a surplus of $200 million. He later became chairman of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare. In 2001, he was nominated by President George W. Bush and approved by the U.S. Senate to be assistant secretary of health and human services for planning and evaluation. If Mr. Jindal gets a chance to debate Hillary Clinton, Hillary will be fumbling for her cue cards.

Is this going to be an election about education? Mr. Jindal is an expert at that too. Mr. Jindal graduated from high school at age 16, took a bachelor's degree at Brown University, and then got a master's at New College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. After he cleaned up the Medicare mess in Louisiana, he was appointed in 1999 as president of the University of Louisiana system.

Maybe you think the central question in this election is going to be about immigration. Mr. Jindal knows all about that firsthand. He was born in Baton Rouge, La., of hardworking parents who emigrated from India. His father was one of nine children from a poor family in a small village in the Punjab. He could give a lot of advice to Mr. McCain. Mr. Jindal favors immigration--legal immigration. He is strongly opposed to illegal immigration. As an addition to the white-bread McCain ticket, he would reach out to all people of color. It would be interesting to see him go head-to-head with Barack Obama in an immigration debate.

But what about the "values voters"? Will they cotton up to the son of immigrants? It doesn't seem to have prevented him from rolling up huge majorities in Louisiana. Born a Hindu, Mr. Jindal converted to Roman Catholicism in high school and has remained a devoted practitioner of his faith. He campaigns foursquare in favor of the human rights of unborn children. He is opposed to embryonic stem-cell research and same-sex marriage. In the gubernatorial election, he visited scores of Pentecostal and evangelical churches and won them over with his testimony. As a result, he had majorities or pluralities in 60 of the 64 Louisiana districts. In the Louisiana open primary system, Republican and Democratic candidates all appear on the same ballot, and all compete with each other. If no one gets 50%, a run-off is held. That's why Mr. Jindal's 54% win on the first ballot was so significant.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120571850120340639.html?mod=opinion_journal_fede ration

He's way to un-attractive to be selected as Mccains VP. You can't have 2 un-attractive men on the same ticket. He needs a young, good looking politician. Like Mark Sanford Governor of South Carlolina.

Well, he was attractive enough to garner 88% of the vote in his re-election to the Senate. Here he is with his family:
http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060816/060816_jindal_hmed_630a.hmedium.jpg
and here he is by himself:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/images/bobbyjindallouisianavictoryspeech.jpg
Personally, I find a smart, effective, competent conservative to be quite attractive.

Well, he was attractive enough to garner 88% of the vote in his re-election to the Senate. Here he is with his family:
http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060816/060816_jindal_hmed_630a.hmedium.jpg
and here he is by himself:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/images/bobbyjindallouisianavictoryspeech.jpg
Personally, I find a smart, effective, competent conservative to be quite attractive.

Yeah, you personally. But your base has poisined the waters for any middle eastern looking candidate (eventhough he's indian, most Americans are to nieve to know the difference). There's to much resentment in the heartland for him to win on the national level. How many times have your supporters had an Airplane stopped because someone looked like Bobby Jindal? He could be the poster child for Republicans, to prove that they're inclusive of others besides white males. But instead, the Republicans keep him hidden from the public arena. You thought Obama had a Muslim problem? This guy would get swiftboated to no return in a national election. So IMO you're a little ahead of yourself.

Here's your guy.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c6/cetawayo/sanford.jpg

Bobby Jindal has my vote

...http://bastrop.townnews.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/news49.txt

http://images.townnews.com/bastropenterprise.com/content/articles/2008/03/21/news/news49.jpg

Bobby Jindal (we are family friends) needs to prove himself as a Governor first. If he can solve the problems in Louisiana or atleast make a dent, then I am sure he can do well in the general election in 2012. Besides, whom ever becomes the President this time (2008), will likely to be blamed for the mess that Bush will be leaving. And I doubt the economic problems will get fixed without major overhaul in trade and manufacturing.

Bobby Jindal (we are family friends) needs to prove himself as a Governor first. If he can solve the problems in Louisiana or atleast make a dent, then I am sure he can do well in the general election in 2012. Besides, whom ever becomes the President this time (2008), will likely to be blamed for the mess that Bush will be leaving. And I doubt the economic problems will get fixed without major overhaul in trade and manufacturing.
You actually know this guy? Cool.

I agree he'd be an even better candidate after a few years experience as a governor. But I still think he'd be an excellent choice for VP even now. Look at Obama, how much experience does he have?

As I said, he balances all of McCain's weaknesses, and he would add an excitement to McCain's candadicy that's just not there now.

Plus, it would be great to prove that us Republicans are not racists. That we are happy to vote for minorities so long as we agree with them on the issues.

Whatever happens, I'm excited about this guy. I think he has a big future, even if it's not this election cycle.

Whatever happens, I'm excited about this guy. I think he has a big future, even if it's not this election cycle.

He is very smart as most Indian-Americans who are born and raised here. He is very good in debates. I still think, he needs to get his experience to solve very difficult issues at the state level. That is because, next 4 years will be the most difficult time for the USA. And we do not want everyone blaming him for not able to help as a VP. Let us keep him to solve issues in the next go around...

I doubt the new President next year will be able to solve the serious economic problems that the country will face because it is a systemic issue and the real solutions will be highly unpopular.

We republicans are not racist...it is just that we have not found very many smart minority republicans that want to go in to politics. Times are changing...we welcome them for the benefit of our society.

He is very smart as most Indian-Americans who are born and raised here. He is very good in debates. I still think, he needs to get his experience to solve very difficult issues at the state level. That is because, next 4 years will be the most difficult time for the USA. And we do not want everyone blaming him for not able to help as a VP. Let us keep him to solve issues in the next go around...You're probably right. Of course, there is the possibility that the VP could end up as president. McCain would be the oldest man ever elected to a first term. Based on what I've heard of Jindal's performance so far as governer, we could do a lot worse than him for POTUS.
I doubt the new President next year will be able to solve the serious economic problems that the country will face because it is a systemic issue and the real solutions will be highly unpopular. Again, you're probably correct. But when a ship enters dangerous waters, you can say, "No matter who is in charge, this ship is doomed" and try to avoid responsibity for the crash. Or you can do everything possible to avoid the crash, try to find the best man to steer the ship, and hope for the best.

Again, you're probably correct. But when a ship enters dangerous waters, you can say, "No matter who is in charge, this ship is doomed" and try to avoid responsibity for the crash. Or you can do everything possible to avoid the crash, try to find the best man to steer the ship, and hope for the best.

While that is true, everything has a optimal time and place. For example, Bobby did not win last time because, Louisiana did not suffer as much. When they did suffer...they were ready.

When the serious trouble starts in 2010/11, we need the right person and people will be ready....

There is a saying: don't jump the gun....this time may be premature....

Newt Gingerich has endorsed Bobby Jindal for VP:
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said Sunday that Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal “would be far and away the best candidate” to appear on the Republican presidential ticket with Sen. John McCain (Ariz.).

Gingrich, who appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” heaped praise upon the former congressman, saying that he is a “spectacular” governor and predicted that Jindal would be a presidential candidate in the future.

However, Jindal, who also was a guest on the show, said that he already holds the job he wants.

“I’m certainly supporting Sen. McCain, will do whatever I can to help him get elected, but I’m focused on being governor of Louisiana,” Jindal stated.

Asked whether it could be a problem that the governor, who is 37, might be perceived as not ready to lead the country in case he would have to replace McCain, Gingrich said the case can be made that Jindal’s “experience in the executive branch and in the legislative branch is greater than” that of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.).

“It strikes me that it’s going to be very hard for Obama’s campaign to explain that Jindal, as a governor, who has served as an assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, has served as a congressional staffer, has served as a congressman, is not qualified but Sen. Obama is qualified,” Gingrich said.

On the issue, he added that voters are “not going to reject Sen. Obama on inexperience.”

Gingrich argued that a GOP attempt to win the election by casting the Democrat as inexperienced would fail.

“Obama is a very articulate, very intelligent, Harvard law graduate, who is extraordinarily smart, and he’s not going to come across in a debate like some guy who’s dopey,” Gingrich said. “He’s going to come across as fully prepared. He knows how to study all this stuff. He has the military advisers.”

However, Gingrich added, “The problem with Obama is he’s wrong. It’s not that he’s inexperienced. It’s that his policies are wrong.”

Commenting on the race for control of Congress, the former House leader said that the record price of gasoline could help Republicans in a year that observers now say favors Democrats.

“At $4 and $5 a gallon -- if you have a more production, lower cost Republican Party running against a cripple the economy, hit your pocketbook Democratic Party, this election will change radically in September and October,” Gingrich said.
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/gingrich-jindal-is-best-choice-for-vice-president-2008-06-15.html

He's a whackjob Creationist who helped perform exorcisms - seriously - in college.

Is there some kind of requirement that Republican politicians have mental issues ?
“It strikes me that it’s going to be very hard for Obama’s campaign to explain that Jindal, as a governor, who has served as an assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, has served as a congressional staffer, has served as a congressman, is not qualified but Sen. Obama is qualified,” Gingrich said. Being appointed to the upper levels of oversight agencies in this administration is not exactly evidence of competence.

It's evidence of opposing abortion, maybe.

And why are we listening to Newt Gingrich ? He's the guy who brought us the Republican Congress of '94, which 12 years later had established some kind of new standard for ludicrous, lockstep, belligerent, expensive foolishness. Mind you, that's a new standard of foolishness for the American Congress. That took some doing.

He's a whackjob Creationist who helped perform exorcisms - seriously - in college.

No more "wackjobish" than anybody else with odd religious beliefs, you know, like those who believe in the many arms of Vishnu, or that they are a special, chosen people, or those who believe in a horrific battle between heaven and hell that will annihilate all but a small portion of humanity. Actually, they are all pretty stupid.

You trying to lambaste this guy for being oddly religious whilst ignoring people like Obama and his exotic background is a bit hypocritical. (for the record, I don't really care about Obama's religion or what church he attended-- beyond the "eye-rolling" reaction I have when anybody tells me that they are really devoutly religious).

~String

No more "wackjobish" than anybody else with odd religious beliefs, And no less. What puts a point on it is that the man has a Western university education with a college biology major - ignorance is not available as an excuse for him.

You trying to lambaste this guy for being oddly religious whilst ignoring people like Obama and his exotic background is a bit hypocritical. And you equating a partial description of Obama's (alleged and exaggerated, btw) "background" with Jindal's expressed beliefs, actions, and current overt political stances, is more than a bit oblivious.

People deserve who they elect...like Bushy....and in the future....

Mad, you've drunk the Kool-Aid if you think this nobody needs to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Not to mention, I love how Republicans hate racial preferences and such, only now that they are facing Obama they are falling all over themselves to find a woman or minority, as if this will help them.

If McCain chooses Jindal it might backfire as mccain trying to simply color his cabinate for the sack of color alone.

I personally don't like him because:
- Prolife
- Anti stem cell reseach
- Pro intelligent design
- He voted for the PATRIOT Act
- He anti-environment
- He a party puppet and sides with his party on virtually every issue, demonstrated no free thought of his own, even mccain is not such a kiss ass to the party!

It's funny, this guy doesn't look very charismatic, but when you listen to him on TV he has a fair amount of charisma.
But I wouldn't want him to be the VP running mate, too religious IMO.

Mad, you've drunk the Kool-Aid if you think this nobody needs to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Not to mention, I love how Republicans hate racial preferences and such, only now that they are facing Obama they are falling all over themselves to find a woman or minority, as if this will help them.You're correct that Jindal doesn't have much experience. But I like what I've seen so far. As far as him being a heartbeat from the presidency, would you really prefer McCain or Obama to Jindal?

I think McCain needs to do something to engender some excitement in his campaign. Jindal is pretty damned conservative, a good talker (I've seen him on several talk shows), and an Indian. Maybe SAM would vote for him!

If not Jindal, I'd like Ron Paul. My perfect candidate (for president) would probably be McCain on foriegn policy and Ron Paul on domestic issues.

For McCain, I would go for TV's Webster.

Jindal is pretty damned conservative, a good talker He is less of a libertarian than Obama, even, let alone McCain.

You're correct that Jindal doesn't have much experience. But I like what I've seen so far. As far as him being a heartbeat from the presidency, would you really prefer McCain or Obama to Jindal?

I think McCain needs to do something to engender some excitement in his campaign. Jindal is pretty damned conservative, a good talker (I've seen him on several talk shows), and an Indian. Maybe SAM would vote for him!

If not Jindal, I'd like Ron Paul. My perfect candidate (for president) would probably be McCain on foriegn policy and Ron Paul on domestic issues.


So the fact he's a minority and is a good talker are what makes him so appealing? Again, it sounds like why Obama is popular and that the Republicans are trying to out-Obama the real article.

You realize, of course, that none of this matters at the ballot box anyways right. Numerous polls have shown people don't cast ballots based on a ticket, they cast ballots based on who's at the top of the ticket.

So the fact he's a minority and is a good talker are what makes him so appealing? Again, it sounds like why Obama is popular and that the Republicans are trying to out-Obama the real article.

Look, he's got a 100% rating from the American conservative union. That's pretty conservative. He can speak well, a definite plus after 8 years of Bush. As far as him being Indian, what better opponent for the "secret Muslim" than an Indian (maybe he's a secret Hindu!:)).

Look, he's got a 100% rating from the American conservative union. That's pretty conservative. He can speak well, a definite plus after 8 years of Bush. As far as him being Indian, what better opponent for the "secret Muslim" than an Indian (maybe he's a secret Hindu!:)).

For some reason I don't think "secret hindu" will play that much better then "secret Muslim" among the religious right.

For some reason I don't think "secret hindu" will play that much better then "secret Muslim" among the religious right.Yeah, but if he's a secret Hindu, he really knows how to keep a secret! I think Ice made reference to Jindal being involved in an exorcism or something. He should be well insulated from that charge, should it ever come up (which I doubt).

Yeah, but if he's a secret Hindu, he really knows how to keep a secret! I think Ice made reference to Jindal being involved in an exorcism or something. He should be well insulated from that charge, should it ever come up (which I doubt).

Well Obama Christianity is backed by countless stories to... wait a minute Jindal was in a exorcism!?? Next he'll be saying he can cure cancer!

Bobby Jindal is way to radical to ever see the VP spot. Not only does he believe that he purged a Demon from an unsuspecting follower, he also thinks intelligent design should be taught in Science Class. This is guy is far to extreme to ever attract the independent voters that McCain is looking to secure. What is it with the minority Republicans, guys like Keyes, Elder,Darryl Issa, Linda Chavez, John Yoo, Armstrong Wililams, Jindal, think the more extreme they are, the more their white counterparts will accept them. No matter how extreme they become, they'll never be a member of the Republican inner circle. Nor will a minority see a place on the Republican presidential ticket anytime soon in the coming decades.

Nor will a minority see a place on the Republican presidential ticket anytime soon in the coming decades.In the coming decades? I'd be willing to bet you'll be proven wrong on that one.

In the coming decades? I'd be willing to bet you'll be proven wrong on that one.

I have to agree, the republicans are not that racist, we will see them become more open to other races either that or they will loss political power.

For some reason I don't think "secret hindu" will play that much better then "secret Muslim" among the religious right.

One can not be a secret Hindu if you are born and raised in USA. To be a real Hindu, secret or not - you have to be born and raised in India. On the otherhand, one can be a Christian or Muslim anywhere on this planet - just accept Jesus or Mohammed as the messiah...(can not do both, one or the other - otherwise someone elses head is going to explode...)

A republican Indian! Now I've seen everything :D

Republicans are no more racist than democrats. Look at Louisiana, most are democrats and whites are racist to the core, blacks are towards Browns (Indians, and Hispanics)

I find Indians in the US are unbelievably racist as well. I've met some Indians who classify other Indians as coloured people and consider them as beneath notice, forget about blacks and other hues of people.

But I was referring to American republicanism, which supports American hegemony over the liberty of other peoples. Republicanism itself is very Indian with the Panchayati Raj being a good example.

Sexist too.

Everyone is sexist.

I find Indians in the US are unbelievably racist as well. I've met some Indians who classify other Indians as coloured people and consider them as beneath notice, forget about blacks and other hues of people.

But I was referring to American republicanism, which supports American hegemony over the liberty of other peoples. Republicanism itself is very Indian with the Panchayati Raj being a good example.

We are all racists when it suits us....

Are you saying Panchayat Raj is a hegemony too, since India had a lot of them before the Mogul invasion....

By the way, the caste system in India caused all the invasions since Brahmins did not respect the Warrior Class.....how the PR missed that one, we will never know.....:D

We are all racists when it suits us....

Yeah, its very effective a tool for propoganda. :cool:

Are you saying Panchayat Raj is a hegemony too, since India had a lot of them before the Mogul invasion....

And after, the Panchayat never disappeared and the Mughal administration system was added on top of it. The governor of today is the Mansabdar of yore.


By the way, the caste system in India caused all the invasions since Brahmins did not respect the Warrior Class.....how the PR missed that one, we will never know.....:D

I sincerely doubt that. Everyone has borders and armies today. Even rules about human rights and civil liberties. But when did that ever stop anyone?

My main grievance against "Bobby" Jindal is that he sounds like a teeny bopper film from the 70s.

One can not be a secret Hindu if you are born and raised in USA. To be a real Hindu, secret or not - you have to be born and raised in India. On the otherhand, one can be a Christian or Muslim anywhere on this planet - just accept Jesus or Mohammed as the messiah...(can not do both, one or the other - otherwise someone elses head is going to explode...)

Try explaining non-Christian religious details to the american religious right.

In the coming decades? I'd be willing to bet you'll be proven wrong on that one.

Nope, as long as they depend on the southern vote to get elected they'll never put a Minority on the ticket.

Look, he's got a 100% rating from the American conservative union. That's pretty conservative. He can speak well, a definite plus after 8 years of Bush. As far as him being Indian, what better opponent for the "secret Muslim" than an Indian (maybe he's a secret Hindu!:)).

Right. But the essential point is that without an Obama candidacy and without this guy's status as a minority, you and all the other Republicans clamoring for him wouldn't know or care who he was. It's pathetic. It's racial politics, done in reverse.