Excerpts: Jindal's Republican Response To Obama

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Bobby Jindal

(AP)

The Republican National Committee has released excerpts of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's response to President Obama's planned address to a joint session of Congress this evening.

The speech, entitled "Americans Can Do Anything," includes a section on Jindal's upbringing.

"As a child, I remember going to the grocery store with my dad," Jindal plans to say. "Growing up in India, he had seen extreme poverty. And as we walked through the aisles, looking at the endless variety on the shelves, he would tell me: 'Bobby, Americans can do anything.' I still believe that to this day."

Jindal, echoing Mr. Obama, goes on to make an appeal to bipartisanship, saying that in his state of Louisiana, "we don't care what party you belong to if you have good ideas to make life better for our people."

"The strength of America is not found in our government," he will go on to say. "It is found in the compassionate hearts and enterprising spirit of our citizens."

Jindal will then say Washington must lead, not by raising taxes or putting "more money and power in hands of Washington politicians," but by "empowering you - the American people. Because we believe that Americans can do anything."

He also plans to attack the $787 billion stimulus package passed by Congress with little support from Republicans.

"Democratic leaders say their legislation will grow the economy," he will say. "What it will do is grow the government, increase our taxes down the line, and saddle future generations with debt. Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It's irresponsible. And it's no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs, or build a prosperous future for our children."

Jindal will also argue the Republican Party "got away from its principles" during the address.

"You elected Republicans to champion limited government, fiscal discipline, and personal responsibility," he will say. "Instead, Republicans went along with earmarks and big government spending in Washington. Republicans lost your trust - and rightly so."

He will then move on to a more optimistic note and an implied criticism of Mr. Obama's dire warnings about the economy.

"A few weeks ago, the President warned that our nation is facing a crisis that he said 'we may not be able to reverse,'" Jindal plans to say. "Our troubles are real, to be sure. But don't let anyone tell you that we cannot recover - or that America's best days are behind her."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by paragurl777 March 1, 2009 5:31 PM EST: President Obama has only been in office a month and a half and the GOP appears to be critical of every thing he does without having solutions of their own. I think that if this thing works. The GOP will take credit by saying the tax cuts they imposed helped or it was Obama at all. It was the endurance of the American people. I think the American people are sick of this crap!
When is the GOP going to get it!; Reply to this comment


by enriquecaliente February 25, 2009 1:36 PM EST: First and foremost, it was 8 years of Republican rule that got us to this moment. I'll have to say one thing, he was right about us not expecting government to help us. Especially a Republican one. Look at the job they did with KATRINA. And 911 could have been stopped, they were given all the intelligence on what the Taliban were up too. What did they do.? NOT A DAMN THING. They ignored the intelligence reports and bingo 911. They point to the fact that there have been no attacks since then. But of course, they created the Patriot Act to lock the country down and spy on Americans. While letting Bin Laden and his entire family get away. NICE JOB. What the Republicans should do is first apologize to the entire nation for what it has done and then shut up and take care of the country. The Democrats should also, watch their steps. Obama may have won big, but if the job isn't done, then they will also pay. This is to both parties. LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY.; Reply to this comment


by ncslim2 February 25, 2009 9:47 AM EST: The GOP's contract killer, Bobby Jindal, turned out to be 'Fredo Corleone.' Why ddn't Boehner or McConnell deliver the response? And the GOP's free market(tax cut) plan is what got America into this mess.; Reply to this comment


by louisianalady February 24, 2009 11:38 PM EST: Bobby Jindal, shame on you our state Louisiana is struggling and you know it. You are not for the people unless they are your own how sad. You have the nerve to refuse help to rebuild our state and you refuse unless it benefits the your party. You must have forgotten we are the poorest state in the United States. Where is your RESPECT for our PRESIDENT? You say your party wants to work with the democrats bah hum bug. If the former president wanted to pass another stimulus your party would not have any objections just like you didn't for the one he passed before he left office and who got help? Oh yeah big pay raisese for your people. Get over it and give the President a chance for all people it took 8 yrs to screw us up now give the President a chance to fix it. And by the way lift the hiring freeze on these state jobs so honest hard working people can get a job and keep their homes and families together.; Reply to this comment


by toolmangler-2009 February 24, 2009 10:28 PM EST: I suggest he remembers that and stop tearing her down, along with her people.
Posted by starleo146 at 7:10 PM : Feb 24, 2009

Well said and true.; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 February 24, 2009 10:10 PM EST: Remember as he speaks he says he will not take the 3.8billion dollars offered to his state from this stimulus bill, but he will accept 3.7billion, this is a gov .of a very poor state who has not survived even today of that disastrous hurricane Katrina. Some of the poorest people who needs his help and he says NO. he needs to take responsibility for his governorship and stop his partisan bickering to make this country stronger and better in every way. Forget just once there is not a democrat or republican we are Americans so I suggest he remembers that and stop tearing her down, along with her people.; Reply to this comment


by RepubsSuck February 24, 2009 7:28 PM EST: I guess if the stimulus plan were funding another war somewhere or for another war on terrorists, this idiot would be all for it. The republican martyr boy for 2012 won't fly and he risks doing damage to the remainder of his term as LA governor by taking the stance he's taking...after all, it was HIS party of idiots that allowed this country to get where it is now, but of course, nobody seems to talk about this fact and why anybody in his right mind would dare take any advice from any republican these days.; Reply to this comment


by paragurl777 February 24, 2009 6:58 PM EST: That is what I was wondering what are their great ideas? The GOP has been ranting and raving about the stimulus plan with some in congress admitting that they haven't even read it
I just think that there are political motives behind this. See ya in 2012 Jindal and the Party of NO; Reply to this comment


by Hmm2009 February 24, 2009 6:58 PM EST: Well I believe that a project has to have its completion BEFORE jumping the gun. I think this guy is more of a propped up back stabber than a real solution guy. Notice ALWAYS the timing of the RNC response, the SUBJECT and WHO is doing the talking. Will the REAL RNC leadership show its face to the nation instead of a token?; Reply to this comment


by paragurl777 February 24, 2009 6:54 PM EST: I think the Republicans are using Bobby Jindal as a cover for their greed . He may truly believe in reform but the GOP does not .

They still want him to be a figure head. It is really ashamed that the GOP just doesn't get that we are in economic free fall.; Reply to this comment