Ringside Politics With A Punch

 

With the presidential nomination secured for Republican candidate John McCain, he faces a crucial decision in selecting a vice presidential nominee. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is on a relatively short list of running mate possibilities. This week, Jindal boosted his profile by appearing before a national audience and meeting the national press corps.

On Monday night, Jindal scored a homerun during his appearance on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. Jindal bantered with Leno for approximately 8 minutes, using the time to tell jokes and the story of how Louisiana is changing for the better.
 
During the interview, Jindal was composed, funny and confident about his state, saying that Louisiana was ready for new economic development. He made a strong pitch for business to come to Louisiana since the state has passed new ethics requirements and now has the toughest financial disclosure laws in the nation for our politicians.
 
Leno made a few jokes about Louisiana’s corrupt image and meeting a Governor who “had two girls with him." Obviously, Leno spent some time with former Governor Edwin Edwards in the past. Even Jindal told the old joke about Louisiana being “half under water and half under indictment.”
 
However, the bulk of the interview was a big commercial for Jindal. The Governor appropriately expressed thanks to all of the volunteers who have visited New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina to assist in the rebuilding of the city. He also told the inspiring story about how his parents moved to this country with little or nothing in their pockets.
 
On Friday, Jindal concluded his high profile week with a speech before the National Press Club in Washington D.C. He continued to promote the state as changing for the better and becoming more business friendly. Jindal used to occasion to poke fun at the many colorful characters who have occupied the Governor’s Mansion and to emphasize that he is different. “If I go down in history for being the most boring governor of Louisiana who made historic reforms in our state - that is a legacy worth having, even if it doesn’t get Hollywood to make a motion-picture film about my time in office,” Jindal said.  
 
It was refreshing to see a Louisiana political leader on the national stage that did not embarrass the state. Jindal effectively used these opportunities to promote himself and his state, while improving his chances of being selected by McCain as a running mate. While Jindal said he enjoyed his job, interestingly, he did not rule out the possibility of accepting a spot on the GOP ticket with John McCain. Obviously, Jindal would take the position if offered and would have a better than 50% chance of becoming the next Vice President since McCain will likely defeat either Obama or Clinton.
 
If selected as the vice presidential nominee, Jindal would provide regional, ethnic, age and philosophical balance for McCain. The drawbacks are that Jindal is very young, at only 36 years old, and has been in the Governor’s office for only a few months. He also hails from a solid McCain state and does not help the Republican ticket win electoral votes. However, selecting Jindal would thrill Republican conservatives, who distrust the maverick McCain. A Jindal selection would also please influential conservative commentators such as Rush Limbaugh, who have publicly recommended that McCain choose the Louisiana Governor for the Republican ticket.
 
If Jindal becomes Vice President, his position would be filled by Democrat Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, who would serve in the top job until the next election in 2011. This prospect while flattering for Jindal has Louisiana Republican Party leaders less than overjoyed.