Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Louisiana Viewpoint On Jindal's Response to Obama

Update- AHH much better watch the vid at my link Bobby Jindal On the Today Show- Day After Response to Obama

After the LSU game I watched the President's Address to Congress and my Governor's response. It was not one of Jindal's best performances. He seemed to be a tad off which is unusual for him. Plus is it me or was there weird sound problem going on? But it was a Speech that got better as it went along.

However I don't think it was a disaster. Looking at the net responses seem to be mixed. Needless to say it was nothing close to the disaster that was Bill Clinton's introduction to a national audience in 1984 where he later had to go on the Tonight Show and poke fun at himself over it.

I agree with Krauthammer here


Jindal didn't have a chance. He follows Obama, who in making speeches is in a league of his own. He is in the Reagan-esqe league. And there is nobody like him, and he had, as Brit indicated, a wonderful, glorious backdrop behind him, and a setting that was as grand a setting.

Jindal can only make the case, which right now is not going to be a ringing and popular one, but I think in time it might be, of Republicans being the grinches here at the big spending giveaway.

After all, the stimulus is the largest giveaway in American history, and that is what Obama is defending, and he is defending even more without ever speaking about getting revenues except for the two percent of Americans, the richest two percent, who apparently are going to fund all of these programs ad infinitum, which, of course, is a pipe dream.

But his case is an austere one, and right now it's not one people want to hear. So Jindal had a really hard task, and he tried the best he could
.

Of course does this really matter? I have no idea why serious people that talk about politics think Jindal is running for President in 2012.

It is almost an impossibility for him to do it. He can't run for Governor in 2011 and at the same time travel and set up organizations and raise money for campaigns in Iowa , New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Can't be Done!!!

Plus a good bit of that work would have to be done not only while is running for re-election but while the Louisiana House and Senate are in session Now he might take the VP nomination but the timing makes it's impossible for him to run for Prez .

It is 2016 for him not 2012

Governor Palin I suppose is a better position but in reality not much better because of timing. She is up for re-election in 2010 so at least it is doable for her. For Jindal I don't see how he could do it if he wanted too.

A few other thoughts.

Republicans need to get over the whole praising Obama and all his historical firsts like Jindal did in his lead off. He as well as others need to be a tad more tough

I am the only one in Louisiana that thinks perhaps bringing up the late Sheriff Harry Lee is a tad dangerous? I mean he is revered in many quarters in Louisiana as a folks hero but needless to say he has baggage and is controversial.

I though Jindal could have been really clever on the military issue and National Security issue. Obama has some weak spots there and Jindal could have gotten him more.

Overall not memorable but lets be honest how many of these things are. Will Quick who gave the response to Bush Last year? Can you even recall it?

2 comments:

Carlos Echevarria said...

James, interesting analysis.

I was disappointed too, but you are right, the setting, him walking in, as opposed to being behind a desk or podium, opening his jacket at the end, lots of mistakes, the audio.

I thought the best part was the end too, esp. the War on Terror stuff and he could have nailed Barry on that score, but glacingly stated it and moved on.

As for '12, you know I am a hard core Palinista, but I also believe, and I know I will be lynched for this, that '12 is going to be so difficult to be Obama, with money, msn, power of the office, etc.

Palin should go for re-election, let Romney, Huckabee or Gingrich be the sacrificial lamb in '12 and prepare for '16, an open race on both fronts....my two cents worth.

Here is a hat tip, about a Jewish Rabbi and Pius XII:
http://orbiscatholicus.blogspot.com/2009/02/chief-rabbi-of-rome-on-pius-xii.html

Happy Ash Wednesday, I went to mass early, lots of people at my de facto parish, even more so than Sundays, ironically, LOL

Anonymous said...

Jindal was horrible. Apparently he isn't paying attention to the fact that we have a crisis of epidemic proportions in this country and the only entity big enough to do anything about it is the federal government. That is what it is there for. As David Brooks said last night, if all the Republicans can say is "Government: Bad" then they are truly a bankrupt party bordering on nihilism. John McCain proposed a $400 Billion Stimulus bill. It is not a matter of IF, but HOW. Jindal doesn't get it. And if he is the new leader of the party then he will lead that party right into a ditch. Get with the program. People don't care about earmarks and people are not fooled into thinking that spending on mass transit is "pork". It is not. The GOP is quickly becoming a dinosaur and increasingly does not reflect my belief in Catholic social teaching. Not sure it ever did.