The Bobby Jindal Obsession
In his New York Times column today, Bill Kristol stirs the Bobby Jindal pot:
Maybe that’s why, in separate conversations last week, no fewer than four McCain staffers and advisers mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick the 36-year-old Louisiana governor, Bobby Jindal. They’re tempted by the idea of picking someone so young, with real accomplishments and a strong reformist streak.
It might also be a way to confront the issue of McCain’s age (71), which private polls and focus groups suggest could be a real problem. A Jindal pick would implicitly acknowledge the questions and raise the ante. The message would be: “You want generational change? You can get it with McCain-Jindal — without risking a liberal and inexperienced Obama as commander in chief.” I would add that it was after McCain spent considerable time with Jindal in New Orleans recently, and reportedly found him, as he has before, personally engaging and intellectually impressive, that the campaign’s informal name-dropping of Jindal began.
There are several problems with this increasingly popular ticket. For starters, Jindal doesn't quite pass the "ready to be President" test--yet. Yes, it is impressive that he won the governorship on a platform of reform, but he has been governor for a grand total of four months and a U.S. representative before that for a mere three years.
Second, young is good, too young is not so good. At 36 (Jindal will be 37 on June 10th), he is closer to the latter category than he is to the former.
Third, there is the matter of substance. I admit that Jindal's gubernatorial win was impressive and he has a compelling personal story, but I'm not sure the fan frenzy is proportional to his record. Bobby Jindal may very well be the next Ronald Reagan as Rush Limbaugh declared; then again, he may not be. Only time will tell. So far, his record doesn't quite stack up. Sure, Jindal's record is generally conservative, in that he can check off most of the major issues (he votes for tax cuts, is pro-life . . . etc.), but several of his votes demand explanation:
- Voted against CAFTA
- Voted to restrict 527's free speech
- Voted for the 2007 Farm Bill, which contained a tax increase (only 19 Republicans voted for it)
- Voted against the conservative Republican Study Committee budget in 2006 and 2007
- Voted against normal trade relations with Vietnam
- Voted to for the CEO pay bill
- Voted for Pelosi's minimum wage increase
The conservative movement is so desperate for a rising star, it is a little too quick to latch onto the latest political phenomenon, especially if the politician in question is not a white male. I just wish there would be a little more research, and a little less infatuation.
