Louisiana Gov. Denies Veep Rumors
EmailABC News’ Kate McCarthy Reports: Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., said he has never spoken to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., about the Republican vice presidential nomination and reiterated his intention to remain the governor of Louisiana.
"We’ve never talked about it. We’ve had several conversations, not only when he’s been here, by phone as well,” Jindal said this afternoon. ‘We’ve always talked about Louisiana’s needs, we’ve talked about national issues, but we’ve always been talking about how Louisiana is recovering.”
Speaking to reporters in Baton Rouge, La., Jindal refused to completely rule out accepting an offer to be McCain’s running mate.
“I think it would be extremely presumptuous for me to turn down something that has not been offered to me. But I’ve been public in every conversation I’ve ever had with anybody, I’ve made it very clear I’ve got the job that I want.”
Reports surfaced yesterday that Jindal, along with Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, were invited to McCain’s home in Sedona, Ariz., this weekend. Jindal today said he views the weekend getaway as a chance to talk to politicians and business leaders about Louisiana.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to get the message out that Louisiana is open for business, we’re rebuilding,” he explained. “We want the business community to come invest in Louisiana."
But the Louisiana Democratic Party disagrees with the intention of Jindal’s trip.
“Bobby Jindal has always put his political career ahead of the people of Louisiana and his meeting with John McCain this weekend only drives the point home,” Chris Wittington, chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, said in a news release. “Now, not six months into his term, his eye is on the prize of the Vice Presidency with little focus on what is going on here in Louisiana.”
Jindal, who at 36 is the youngest serving governor in the United States, insists that his trip to Arizona will benefit his state.
“I think it’d be a good thing for the governor to have a good relationship with the next president of the United States,” Jindal said. “Senator McCain could be our next president.”
The Arizona Senator will return to Louisiana on June 3, according to his Web site, where more questions about his running mate will likely be raised.
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“I think it’d be a good thing for the governor to have a good relationship with the next president of the United States,” Jindal said. “Senator McCain could be our next president.”
He screwed himself already as the statement should have been “Senator McCain WILL be our next president.”
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | May 22, 2008, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
Please, we don’t need a kid as VP or President.
Posted by: geevill | May 22, 2008, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm
geevill
Jindal achieved in 3 years more than what obama. All Obama did was 125 present vote
Posted by: Tony | May 22, 2008, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
Bobby Jindal is yet another fringe right-winger – he wants us to use OUR tax money to teach kids ‘intelligent design’. This from someone who studied biology – utter ignorance.
Ever wonder why most republican run southern states are also have the lowest per capita income?
Posted by: Al in SoCal | May 22, 2008, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
Jindal is corrupt than most. But this is obviously his way of applying for the job. I hope he gets it. He McCain make a good pair of guys who have trouble with ethics.
Posted by: Louisi45 | May 22, 2008, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
Jindal is corrupt? While Louisiana has indeed suffered under corrupt politicians like Gov. Edwin Edwards, and Huey Long, Bobby Jindal is a breath of fresh air: honest, ethical, smart, great judgment of people and policy, and wise way beyond his years.
He is too young today, but by 2016 he will be a serious contender for both vice president and president. And our country will be well served.
Posted by: Chaubert | May 22, 2008, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm
almost everyone has accomplished more than Obama. Jindal is too green for VP. Romney is at least experienced.
Posted by: geevill | May 23, 2008, 9:20 am 9:20 am
During his term and a half in Congress, he spent most of his time campaigning for governor. During his almost five months as our governor, he has spent an inordinate amount of time in pursuit of the vice presidential nomination. If he did not want to serve as governor, why did he run? If one judges him by the length of his resume, he has held a number of jobs. None of them for very long.
Posted by: Louisiana | May 23, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Gee Louisiana…..you sound like a plant from the Louisianna Democratic Party to me….
The same party that gave Louisianna…Landreiu….and Nagin……Kathleen Babbadipshit Blanco.
Posted by: Roy Cherian | May 23, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
McCain/Jindal 08!
Posted by: indepen3 | May 23, 2008, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
Bobby Jindal in 2016? If a presidential candidate can still campaign on the ignorant, fraud of “Intelligent Design” in 2016. America will have gone out of business. Already, we can’t cut the international competition for science jobs without teaching our children obvious, absurd, stupid, Bible-based lies. Joey
Posted by: Joey Tranchina | June 17, 2008, 5:05 am 5:05 am
If McCain picks Jindal for his running mate, I assure you McCain will definitely lose Louisiana. Go to theadvocate.com, WAFB.com and NOLA.com to read how Louisianians feel about Jindal.
Posted by: Kasi Lin | June 25, 2008, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
troule with income tax about state of louisiana department of revenue between support enforcement service been took my income tax every year plus I owe louisiana department of revenue because of support enforcement service take out my income tax. I fill out income tax was hero without claim kids nothing why Louisiana try rip me off all my bankrupty anything is gone in my life. So I moved in mississippi but Lousiana tax still keep pick on me want my money. it is wrongful! I never cheat on income tax I have been fight on tax for few years still not good. I cant handle between support enforcement service and state of louisiana department of revenue. I have only between 20,000 a year on salary. it is bad. I spend on child support and spend on state of louisiana department of revenue alot of double money. Because I am full deaf. louisiana gov very power and beat me I let them take my money too tired of fight all years that is it.
Posted by: Randall | November 17, 2008, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm