Note to the GOP: Keep Bobby Jindal in Louisiana
Desperation is the only thing explaining the fact that Bobby Jindal is a serious contender for the Republican VP spot. Not that Bobby Jindal isn’t a gifted politician. Far from it, no one becomes the youngest governor in the country by sheer luck alone. Jindal is very intelligent and very charismatic, with a devoted cadre of followers in the Louisiana state house and a growing national following. Not to mention a compelling background (he’s the son of immigrants) and a growing string of legislative successes. In many ways he’s reminiscent of a young Bill Clinton, who at the age of 32 became governor of Arkansas and the youngest governor in the country. Jindal is a rising star, and if the Republicans are at all interested in improving their long-term fortunes, they will keep Jindal in the state house for the foreseeable future.
The GOP is desperate to find something or someone who can stop Obama, or at least counter his appeal, and they think they’ve found that someone in Bobby Jindal. And I can’t blame them in wanting to elevate him to the national ticket. But even with Jindal, there’s a fairly good chance that John McCain will lose in November, and lose big. The country seems to be in the midst of a Democratic realignment, and the last thing the Republicans want is for one of their rising stars to be sullied (in a big way) so early in his career. Instead of sending him to Minneapolis and sticking him next to McCain, the GOP should keep him in the Louisiana state house, and let him build his experience and his appeal. Right now Jindal is a little too green to be the party’s vice presidential nominee. In ten or so years though, he’ll be more than ready to be their presidential nominee.
Update: Check out John Schwenkler’s post on the Jindal for VP meme. He has a somewhat different take on the matter and it’s definitely worth reading.
(Photo posted under a Creative Commons from Marc V. Genre)
