Bobby Jindal Response to Obama Stimulus Plan
He Used His Role As GOP Spokesman to Push His Presidential Candidacy
Feb 26, 2009
As one of the Republican Party’s major hopes for the future, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal delivered the GOP’s official response to President Barack Obama’s address to Congress February 23, 2009. Columnist David Brooks called Jindal’s performance "a disaster for the Republican Party."
Democrats and even some Republicans pounced on Jindal’s performance. He was criticized for his folksy delivery on a crisis issue, his lack of new ideas and his labeling of Obama’s stimulus package as "irresponsible." CNN's Candy Crowley said he was "overcoached and over rehearsed." Some said he was "amateurish."
Sarah Palin All Over Again
It was Sarah Palin all over again, a young Republican governor not ready for prime time. Like Palin, Jindal was quickly ridiculed on the Internet, with comparisons to Kenneth, the rube character on NBC’s "30 Rock" television show created by Tina (aka Sarah Palin) Fey.
Critics acknowledged that Obama’s Congressional address was a tough act to follow, especially when Jindal was staring into a camera with a sore throat and in what looked like an empty room. He could have used one of those carefully selected friendly audiences that Karl Rove usually prepared for George W. Bush.
The national critics missed some of the problems that Jindal may have created for himself.
In making frequent references to his family, Jindal left few doubts that he was using his GOP spokesman role to promote his own presidential candidacy. This probably did not sit well with other Republicans with their eye on the GOP’s 2012 nomination. He released excerpts of the speech ahead of time on his website, where he was soliciting contributions.
"Heck of a job, Brownie"
In ridiculing federal handling of a Katrina incident, Jindal overlooked that it occurred on the GOP watch. It may have revived memories of Bush’s "Heck of a job, Brownie" comment to FEMA Director Michael Brown.
In criticising past GOP spending, Jindal may have angered some continuing Republican members of Congress who fought hard for projects and programs in their districts and states.
Louisiana Role Model for Nation
In extolling accomplishments of his own administration, Jindal practically cast Louisiana as a role model for the nation. It was an invitation to the national media to descend on the state, where closer examination will reveal:
- The state’s huge budget deficit, partly caused by the 2008 tax cuts Jindal boasted of in his speech.
- Newly passed legislation, which Jindal backed, to support "intelligent design" teaching in pubic schools.
- Legislators finding numerous ways to get free meals from lobbyists despite Jindal’s famous 2008 ethics reform special session. Some observers praised Jindal more for changing the ethics "perception" than for actual reform.
- Some legislators who angrily recall that Jindal promised to support a pay raise for them, then vetoed the raise. He was threatened with recall if he did not veto it.
- The state education superintendent threatening to take over nearly a dozen failing schools, despite Jindal’s claims of improving the state’s education system.
Rejected $98 Million in Federal Funds
Jindal rejected $98 million in federal funds for unemployment benefits as thousands of Louisiana workers faced uncertain job futures. He did it without legislative or public approval, which he accused the Democrats of doing with the stimulus package.
Jindal, a Rhodes Scholar, has recovered from other political setbacks and many supporters believe he has plenty of time to recover from his February 23 performance. However, he is likely to face continuing examination for presenting Louisiana as a role model for the nation.
References
- "Jindal earns bad reviews," By Alexander Mooney, CNN 2-25-09
- "Politics as usual in Central Louisiana," Central La Politics, 2-29-08
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