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February 23rd, 2009
04:01 PM ET

A 'coming-out part' for the GOP's rising star?

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/02/23/jindal.gop/art.jindal.wdsu.jpg caption="Being tapped to give the GOP response to President Obama's address elevates Gov. Bobby Jindal's standing in the party."]

Samira Simone
CNN

Thrust into the spotlight as a Republican rising star, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has been depicted as an up-and-comer capable of helping reshape the party and jockeying for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.

And now, Jindal's party is putting him on a national platform, awarding the once little-known congressman the political plum of delivering the Republican's televised response to President Barack Obama's address to Congress on February 24.

"The speech is very important. This is his coming-out party," said G. Pearson Cross, head of the University of Louisiana's political science department, who has observed Jindal's political rise. "His speech will put a face on the name."

And put a fresh face on the Republican Party.

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Filed under: Raw Politics • Republicans
soundoff (22 Responses)
  1. Salas

    Wow,initially it was micheal steele that was made GOP chairman to fool americans that republicans arent all about being white,now its bobby jindal telling americans they want to use as a counter measure to the obama phenomenon.Dont they get it, americans are tired of anything conservative let alone taliban opposition they ard putting up at the congress.Just to sound a note,jindal isnt as articulate &charismatic as obama &want america needs now is a president who can listen and sell america back to the world.

    February 24, 2009 at 8:50 am |
  2. Kenny Adamson Orange Va.

    It seems to me the Gop. Wall St. and these Gov. who are refusing this money, are in agreement with their leader,raido talk host Rush L.. wanting this Pres. to fail. Hey Guys its about the country, not about you.
    Give the needy a brake, for Gods sake.

    February 24, 2009 at 5:58 am |
  3. Mr. Finks

    Very Interesting ! He's refusing the money ?

    February 24, 2009 at 2:01 am |
  4. ROSIE

    While I admire Gov. Jindal's desire to become President of the United States, of which he has every right; I am also saddened that he has chose this time, in history,to pursue his dream.
    I say this because this is not his time, in history, therefore he will not win the race. And should he go before his predestinated time, he might blow his one chance to become President of the United States.
    If I were him, I would give this timing some serious thought; for there is such a thing as being ahead of your destiny, and being ahead of your time clock.
    But If he runs now, it will be, because someone will convince him that these words come from an Obama fan, whose afraid he might defeat President Obama. But all I can do is speak it, and its up to him to know in his heart, that my words are truth.
    But should the Republican Party refuse to listen, and take heed: but instead encourage him to run against his own conviction: Seeing is believing, but atleast his lost will not be a surprise to him, nor his Party.

    February 24, 2009 at 1:31 am |
  5. shawn

    as long as republicans continue to show their didain for the very constituants who elect them they can pretty much hand over the presidency. no not all fo the stim bill makes sense but it is a step towards this actuall being a gov of the people and for the people not a gov for the welthy. LA, SC, MS and the likes have th lowest median income in the nation. the working class who make up over 90% of these states are barely living check to check, business wants no part of them ( the states) yet these gov are the guys you want heading your party i think not. it's a sad day when your leaders who know they need help refuse the help given for no viable reason other than to save republican face. Get over your inflated egos you lost the election, big deal, now is not the time to tear down who won it but the time to do what you were put in office to do, put your ego aside and do what's best for people not your party

    February 24, 2009 at 12:35 am |
  6. Sarah from Louisiana

    Louisiana is one of the poorest states in the country. We are lacking in
    every category of life– economically,education, and jobs. Jindal is obviously blind to our needs. Apparently, he is out of touch with average people. Mr. Jindal are you an idiot? We (Louisiana) need every dime we can get. We will remember your decision–party before tthe people!!

    February 24, 2009 at 12:11 am |
  7. Amanda

    Nope Jindal isn't the answer he's just a weaker version of Obama. Once again the GOP is late in getting the bigger picture and has to result to copying. Wow be original!

    February 24, 2009 at 12:07 am |
  8. Dee

    Jindal has told the people of Louisiana numerous times he likes his job a Gov. of Louisiana wants to keep that job as long as he can. Has he lied to the people of Louisiana.
    In the Monroe News Star it stated he has completed his speach for Tuesday night but has not see the President's speach. How can he give a rebutal speach with out know what the President is going to say?

    February 23, 2009 at 11:41 pm |
  9. fern

    They can't put a fresh face on a ugly ecomonic mess they've left behind. I don't think voters are going to have a short memory this time around. 2012? Landslide!!!

    February 23, 2009 at 11:39 pm |
  10. Tom, Caldwell Idaho

    I concur with Mari,
    In this historic time, politicians will be judged on what they did to avert a major financial disaster not what they were opposed to.
    I live in a state where every representitive and senator voted against the stimulus package and the governor is threatening to turn down the stimulus package. Our "red" state is in the red and the picture is blique.
    We all know that more stimulus is going to have to come down the road to fix this economic mess. Are these same governors going to refuse it as well? This is getting more and more partisan rather then bipartisan. It seems they are more interested in getting Obama to fail then they are curing this financial disease. If the republicans continue down this path they will find themselves loosing seats in both the house and the senate in 2 years. If they are not careful they may find themselves with a smaller percentage of power then europeon countries with 3 or more political parties!

    February 23, 2009 at 11:31 pm |
  11. Erik

    Are the Republicans pulling out a race card?

    February 23, 2009 at 11:13 pm |
  12. Oscar Williams

    Gov. Bobby Jindal is a man of color, even though he is Hindu he is still of African decent. (he will never sdmit it). A Barac Obama of the Republican party he will never make. He still shows himself to be hardline Republcan. He learned how to say "No" real quick.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:58 pm |
  13. Frank W. McReynolds

    Hello,
    There should be no question in the minds of the GOP Bobby Jindal is "The Man"!! He is quite obviously the only republican with the talent, knows the true party, cares about the party and already does the job !
    Go Bobby !
    Frank McReynolds
    Carmichael, Csalifornia

    February 23, 2009 at 10:15 pm |
  14. Joanne Pacicca, Solvay, NY

    oh , indeed, a male version of Palin?

    February 23, 2009 at 9:27 pm |
  15. Robert Jakarta

    Yes, yes. This is exactly who the GOP needs... another charletan, or should I say an empty suit with the old guards pulling his strings... The republicans still don't have a leg to stand on and here in a deepening financial crisis, their only solution is opposition. Oppose anything that the President signs. Oppose any "spending."

    Well, Jindal and other republicans aren't bringing anything to the table and would assume the role of Nero and his lyre. After the immensely wasteful spending and reckless use of government money during the eight years of the Bush administration, this is the best they can come up with? They want to now portray the image of conservatism? Ha!

    Yes. Let's have Bobby Jindal assume the leadership role in the GOP but he is no Barack Obama, and that is not a good thing for them.

    (the guy puts on a big steam about rejecting the stimulus intended for Louisiana but then accepts three-quarters of the money)

    February 23, 2009 at 8:12 pm |
  16. Gene Penszynski from Vermont

    P.S. WOW ! .. Now how 'bout a Palin/Jindal ticket in 2012 ??? Only someone better inform Sarah that Jindal is an ethnic INDIA indian and not an AMERICAN Indian. Most of her G W Bush 'base' might not take too kindly to that. A 'hottie' and a 'towel head' running together for president ?????? The lindred brothers of the KKK might want a 'further' explaination.

    February 23, 2009 at 7:53 pm |
  17. Jim M

    I guess that after Governor Palen they don't want to consider antoher female like Governor Brewer or Rell. Certainly, the present GOP leadership wouldn't want to consider Senator Snowe or Collins, but they do have Senator Murkowski – but she's from Alaska, and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson -but she's from Texas. Maybe they are waiting for Mrs. Romney of Mrs. McCain to show interest.
    All tongue-in-cheek.

    February 23, 2009 at 7:52 pm |
  18. Mari, Salt Lake City

    The GOP don't know it yet ........ but....... they are on a losing trajectory for 2012! The GOP-Obstructionists will have to answer to the American People as to why they opposed the Stimulus Bill that started the U.S. back on the road to recovery! I am sure the GOP-Obstructionists will have their usual lies ready to put a spin on why, they were not bipartisan!

    February 23, 2009 at 7:24 pm |
  19. Gene Penszynski from Vermont

    LOL ...... This guy is going to reject the Stimulous package for one of THE poorest states in the Union ?????? ......... OK this is going to be very interesting to watch indeed ....... lol ........ maybe wihtout the Stimulous package he might just MIGHT be able to turn New Orleans into another Mumbai ...... SLUMS POVERTY AND ALL !!!!! ... but what the hey maybe someone will make a movie out of it.

    February 23, 2009 at 7:19 pm |
  20. sandra

    "A fresh face" with the same agenda! Give to the rich and to heck with everyone else! This man can't have a single personal thought without the say so of the GOP. Who wants a president that can't come up with an alternative or comparable plan in 2 yrs when he has been handed a little breathing room? Forgot-he has a job, so he doesn't need unemployment benefits. Oh, yeah, forgot he has a Paid education, health benefits, and can go on vacation when he wants.

    February 23, 2009 at 6:54 pm |
  21. c,ca

    How dumb do the Republicans think we are? It's just coincidence that they chose this guy. Yeah, of course it is. They just decided out of nowhere that he is their up and coming star..... because he appeals to young voters.

    Oh, he's not white? You're kidding – I'm sure they hadn't noticed.

    I thought they'd back off this obvious pandering to minorities after Michael "Notorious G.O.P" Steele's interview. The one where he sounded like your mid-life crisis relative attempting to look cool: ..........."hip hop Republicans"? "We're beyond the cutting edge". ? OMG!!!!

    It's amazing how clueless these people are. It almost seems cruel to laugh at them. We should be calm and patient with them – it's not their fault – they just don't understand.

    February 23, 2009 at 6:48 pm |
  22. sharon from Indy

    Yes, the Republican needs a fresh face for the party. But instead of Jindal, why not make it a woman?

    February 23, 2009 at 6:39 pm |