Bobby Jindal: The GOP's Rising Star?

Morley Safer Profiles Louisiana's Gov., Who Some Think May Run For The White House One Day

(CBS)  Asked if part of that is due to the legacy of George Bush, Jindal said, "I think like anything, there's some good and some bad, you know. Certainly, I was one that disagreed with his spending we've seen these last eight years. You've seen spending that if the Democrats had proposed some of this, the Republicans would have rightfully criticized it. And yet, it was accepted because it was done by a Republican Congress, Republican administration."

That kind of talk has gained him notice. His name was raised repeatedly as a potential running mate for John McCain. "When the campaign asked me to submit my information to be vetted, I declined politely. I said that I was honored that they would ask me. But, I've got the job that I want," he said.

"For the moment?" Safer asked.

"Well hopefully, not just for the moment. Hopefully, over the next seven years," the governor replied.

For the moment, he hardly represents a threat to President Obama.

But in Tuesday's Republican response to the president's speech before Congress, he accused the Democrats of bloated, wasteful spending in the stimulus package. "It's irresponsible and it's no way to strengthen our economy," Jindal said in his televised response.

Rush Limbaugh is still calling him "the next Ronald Reagan," and party heavyweight Newt Gingrich says he is the "most transformative young governor in the country."

"He tackles every issue, from spending to education to health to infrastructure to jobs, with a level of energy and a level of doing what makes sense, not asking what the old order said. And I think the result in Louisiana so far has been very spectacular," Gingrich told Safer.

"But beyond Louisiana, do you think he has what it takes?" Safer asked.

"He will automatically be a major contender for the presidency for many, many years. Remember, he'll be the same age as John McCain 34 years from now. So, he has a long time and he can do a lot of things," Gingrich pointed out.

"When you hear a Republican like Newt Gingrich mentioning your name, what goes through your mind?" Safer asked.

"Well, again, I think it's very flattering. We've just sworn in a new president of the United States. He's, you know, he's barely started. It's way too early to start thinking about who the leader of the party is. And for me, look, I've got no secret plan," Jindal said.

"But what were you doing in Iowa a coupla month ago?" Safer asked.

"Got a great invitation to come and speak to a wonderful group," Jindal replied.

His visit this fall to Iowa caused a stir, but his speech last Tuesday may have put those great expectations on hold, which may please his wife.

"When you see these speculative stories about him running for president, what goes through your mind?" Safer asked.

"Gosh, no!" Supriya Jindal replied, laughing.

"You may live to regret this," Safer said, laughing.

[annaamed]

You know Americans are already so frustrated with BUSH failure polices and now we have these new Jokers known as Bobby Jindal (the governor of poorest begging state) & Rush Limbaugh (radio show host, a felon of drug user). Enough with this Jindal hypocrite, Where was he when his buddies BUSH, Dick and Rumsy were planning wars? Looting money from hard working Americans and lying for all the WMD crap.
Mc Cain another joker, voted for first stimulus $ 700 Billion and now he is calling it generational theft. Has BUSH and republican has not done enough damage to America? And now Obama is following same policies and keeping the same losers in his administration, what a joke!!
These jokers (specially so called conservative republican) have fun time in congress and Senate, have not done anything good and now dragging this great country into HELL !!
We the honest hard working Americans need real answer, no more these Jokers ripping us off. If they have some shame and honest values, they need to resign or not run again. Shame on you!
Nobody has ever won Afghanistan (read history) and will never be able to win. But we will have more $$ Billions pump in like Bush and have more soldiers dead or broken legs and arms.
Mark my words, that weather we will have a revolution in this country or we will definitely see Third World WAR very soon.
Answer me, because I have a right, and I am honest TAX Payer, whose money you guys are giving to your buddies in CITI Bank, AIG and others.
GOD save us from these hypocrite jokers, GOD Bless America

[MaryVerity]

Correction to the Bobby Jindal story: Neither Jindal nor the Catholic Church is opposed or has ever been opposed to stem cell research. However, both are zealously opposed to EMBRYONIC stem cell research, which involves the destruction of human life. And this opposition is not just for ethical reasons. With each passing month it becomes ever clearer that trying to get medical cures and treatments from embryonic stem cell research is like insisting a bull produce milk for you, rather than simply milking the cow. Jindal and the non-politicized segment of the scientific community both recognize that it's far better to milk the very productive "cow" of ADULT stem cell research: that's the area of stem cell research that's already provided a cornucopia of treatments in the here and now.

[Reality101]

From the eyes of an independent, I find the fawning over Bobby Jindal nauseating. He claims that he wants to change how the government does business. Really? If that's the case, why did he join the Republican party? Why join any party at all? Towing any party line, by definition, strips away sincerity in one's claim to change politics. The fact that he's garnered support from Limbaugh and Gingrich should be enough evidence of that.
He believes in "Intelligent Design", is against stem cell research and opposes abortion rights. So once more we have someone who wants to impose the consequences of his own religious views on everyone else. Add this to the hypocrisy of his remarks about overspending Democrats, and I fail to see where any change is.
Sounds like the same old fundamentalist Republican garbage to me. It's just been repackaged by another smiley politician who also saw fit to repackage his own name.

[ljblinddog]

Bobby Jindal is a nice man. We should invite him to press interviews and dinner. He should not be leading public policy.

Bobby Jindal?s gubernatorial victory marks the lowest participation by voters in a governor?s race since Louisiana went to the open primary system in 1975, according to secretary of state?s records.

He was rated the 7th least affective Congressman in Washington when he was a U. S Representative. His new ethics changes have no teethe. The successful disaster policies he used during Hurricane Gustav were those of former Governor Blanco?s based on what was learned and corrected after Katrina.

He inherited a state after Blanco, with a ?rainy day fund? at capacity, $250 million in capital outlay escrow, $630 million increase in revenue over past administrations, 2,500 fewer state employees and new businesses coming into Louisiana.

Since he has been Governor, he has been wrong on taxes, the future of oil and gas and has blown through a billion dollars that could have gone into education and health. The state of Louisiana is about 1.9 billion short, cutting services in the neighborhood of $400 million. As governor he has no new ideas, and is turning down bail out money to the state because he is afraid that he won?t have remedies in three years.

60 minutes did not reveal anything of substance about Bobby Jindal.

[sarvoshetty]

Dear 60 min. What an awful person bobby Jindal is for hting his Indian heritage so much. How ironic that the Republican Party has chosen him as the new face of tolerance. As a Indian American who was born only a few years before Bobby was deeply offended that he did not want to even remotely acknowledge his Indian roots. He should give the people of louisiana a chance to see him for who he really is.....a hypocrite....sincerely Sarvo

[akoli]

I believe in free speech and freedom of religion. To that end, Bobby Jindal has every right to choose whatever faith resonates with him. But I find it appalling that he would malign Hinduism. His comments about the Bhagavad Gita illustrate that he has no understanding of the text, nor its moral stance, which if he took the time to learn it, would illustrate that Hinduism is a faith of tolerance and respect for others.

Granted, the true tenets of the faith are not always practiced, but then again, who among us follows their religion to a T? Jesus did not tell his followers to kill, torture, rape, or abuse those who don't follow his teachings. But that's exactly what the Catholic Church and Islam have condoned for years.

Jindal, quit talking about issues which you clearly know nothing about. You sold out to the GOP to get elected - just admit it.

[acenlavoice]

The 60 minutes carfully crafted script made the comment that Bobby Jindal was a "beige" candiate. This was quite interesting and "telling" especially in the snide manor it was made. What color do you think President Barak Oboma is? He is not black.
The point, incase you don't get it, is not color - it is principal. Character not color.
We are now "reaping" a terrible impact on our country because the news media focused on color and hid the principals in this past election.

[Louisianakid]

Too bad CBS did this story before the Mardi Gras Debacle! Also missing was "I'm Bobby Jindal and I agree with this ad". Seems like the story gave the editor of the Times Picayune (who endorsed Jindal when he ran for Govenor) almost as much time praising his candidate that spent a lot of money in advertisements. If only CBS would have spent a little more time checking out reporting by the Times Picayune's own journalists, as recent as Saturday (2/28/09)/R. Travis Scott
pointing out some of the embellishments Jindal took credit for that belonged to former Gov. Blanco, including a Surplus $$! Too bad CBS didn't announce when the story was produced!

[jerseyneil]

Just because one decides to investigate the religion of their parents and then make an informed decision to change to Catholism from Hinduism, you seem to be suggesting that Jindal is less Indian. In fact, Christianity existed in India before it existed in Europe. All immigrants that come to the US seek to assimulate with the culture of their new home. Most of my Indian Hindu friends never ate beef before, but allow their children to eat burgers at McDonald's. Contrary to popular belief, food, names, and religion are not the only cultural identities we have as Americans. How many second generation Italians name their son "Vito" or Germans their son "Otto"? They don't do it. Barack only accepted his name as an adult, he was known as Barry as a child. Jindal would be ridiculed and picked-on as a child named Piyush. Thus, he wanted to be called Bobby. This is just common sense.

[jerseyneil]

I agree that Jindal does not have experience, yet, to be President. However, don't be too quick to judge him. Listen to his message and it makes sense. The US government gave banks, auto companies,and insurance companies a bailout. Now GM and AIG want another bailout because the money ran out. The Obama administration will give them that 2nd bailout, and possibly a 3rd and 4th bailout. The money comes from the taxpayers. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. Only in America can a business be mismanaged, lose money, and get billions from the taxpayers. I voted for Obama, but these bailouts don't make sense. Where else can a CEO of a company receive millions of dollars in compensation when that company is on the verge of bankruptcy. We seem to be rewarding incompetence.