By Teri Finneman

Feb 11, 2009 1:20pm

Gov. Jindal Nabs the GOP’s High-Profile Primetime Slot

ABC News’ David Chalian reports: House and Senate Republican leaders announced today that Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal will deliver the Republican response to President Obama’s address to a Joint Session of Congress scheduled for Feb. 24.

“Gov. Jindal embodies what I have long said: The Republican Party must not be simply the party of ‘opposition,’ but the party of better solutions.  His stewardship of the state of Louisiana, dedication to reforming government, and commitment to bringing forth new and innovative ideas make him a leader not just within the Republican Party, but in our nation as a whole," said House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio. It appears the Republicans are tearing a page out of the recent Democratic playbook of governors responding from their home states to put the anti-Washington stamp on their party’s messaging efforts.

In 2006, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine delivered the SOTU response from Richmond, Va. In 2008, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius delivered the SOTU response from her home state.

Although it is expected that Jindal will be in Washington, D.C., for the National Governors Association winter meeting from Feb. 21-23 (with a Sunday White House dinner and a Monday NGA working meeting with President Obama in the White House), the announcement below indicates that Jindal will return home to Baton Rouge, La., in order to deliver his response to President Obama’s address to Congress from there.

Jindal has said he is not interested in pursuing the Republican Party presidential nomination in 2012, but that didn’t stop him from making a trip to Iowa shortly after the 2008 election to speak with an influential group of Christian conservatives in the Hawkeye State. Providing the GOP response will do little to quiet the speculation that he may rethink his currently stated opposition to running in 2012.

Louisiana is also home to a bit of post-election pride for the GOP.  In an early December surprise, Republic Anh "Joseph" Cao defeated the embattled Rep. Bill Jefferson for the congressional seat that represents New Orleans in the United States Congress.   Republican leaders quickly began to tout that victory as the beginning of the post-Obama/2006-2008 Democratic sweeps turnaround.

User Comments

I believe there is going to be a turnaround in the Democratic party because Obama is making too many mistakes and the republicans are taking note of it. It didn’t take Steele long to clean house on he became chairman. Obama is no match for him. It would be nice if he ran for the presidency in 2012.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | February 11, 2009, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm

Mariann Pepitone,
Are you serious? Any minor mistakes Obama may or may not have made in 20 days in office pale grossly in comparison to mistakes made in the previous administration over 8 yrs. Where I sit as an Independent I do not see where the Republican party has changed one bit from the party that lost miserably in November. Steele? Didn’t the man lose his Senate race? Another example of Republicans pushing image over substance. The man is of mediocre intellect at best just like Palin, McCain, Boehner, Cantor, McConnell, GWB, and the rest. Same GOP. But you can continue to dream…

Posted by: indy_voter | February 11, 2009, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm

The Republican party is a party of hypocrites. Due to the success of Pres. Obama they are now using the few minorities that they used to ignore to represent on the surface the face of the party. However you look beneath the surface, you see a party of the privileged.
Sorry that Jindal and Steele are being used in this manner, but they are NO match for Obama and the Dems.

Posted by: Donna | February 11, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

as usual marianne you know not what you speak…..

Posted by: seansatx | February 11, 2009, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm

Oh goody, the GOP are bringing the exorcist back out!

Posted by: Clint | February 11, 2009, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm

I haven’t heard any bad things about Governor Jindal. So he’s a Republican, maybe he’s more like Governor Schwartzenegger than the stupid creeps you mention above.

Posted by: Bill in NC | February 11, 2009, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm

Check Bobby out! Louisiana ranked 49th in ethics when he took over; now its second. Wonder who the 50th was; surely not BHO’s Illinois.
And of course our reformer in the White House will have no lobbyists in his administration (except Raytheon’s William Lyons who he nominated for deputy Defence Sec’y, and Tom Daschle who piled up n$2,000,000 in a year out of congress, and…….)
Housecleaning will bring the GOP back to power, and Bobby has a bir broom.

Posted by: Tom Beebe | February 11, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm

big broom

Posted by: Tom Beebe | February 11, 2009, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm

Housecleaning will bring the GOP back to power, and Bobby has a bir broom.
=======================================
It is amazing how much Republicans like to dream but have absolutely no vision on where to take this country. Dreams like that are called fantasies.

Posted by: indy_voter | February 11, 2009, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

Bobby,Palin will problemly have to run in 2015 because President obama is a two termer, he will be a sucess as our 44th president, you can count on it!

Posted by: gman | February 11, 2009, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm

Republicans and their token minorities. Republicans will never elect Jindal…..he is far too brown and they are far too racist. Bobby, you’ll be joining the ranks of Uncle Toms like Condi Rice and Clarence Thomas.

Posted by: Sammy | February 11, 2009, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm

Why doesn’t Jindal go home and take care of his state. Louisiana is at the bottom in almost everything, from health to education. Yet he’s off with the party elite raising money while Rome burns. He’s never kept a job very long and not much of a leader. He doesn’t deserve the praise or press that he’s getting. But I guess repubs are desperate so whoever LOOKS good. If you repubs think Obama’s a novice, wait till you see Jindal in action.

Posted by: pamp205 | February 11, 2009, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm

Jindal has much to answer for in his own state. In the aftermath of Katrina, the state is still missing 1/3 of the displaced victims. Hardly anything to brag about. While he seems like a nice guy, he should be careful with whom he keeps company. The republicans will use anyone they can. Evidence, the last election.

Posted by: william | February 11, 2009, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm

obama is a race monger and a hater also hes sopposed to be about hope but lately all i see is doom and fear from him a change is what we got i really got a laff when that poor lady asked him for a kitchen a car a house you notice she didnt ask for a job i heard obama tell her to get into line behind my 1 $ a day brother and my illegal alien aunt living in public housing also just step over all those guys and gals i threw under my bus like my poor grandmother who he claims was a racist

Posted by: david reyes | February 11, 2009, 11:50 pm 11:50 pm

The chances of Jindal ever winning the GOP nomination are nil. Rush Limbaugh is already writing the lyrics to “Bobby the Magic Punjab”

Posted by: Steve from Danville | February 11, 2009, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm

To those who say Bobby Jindal could never be elected, don’t you believe it. They haven’t anyone else. Palin has become a laughing stock. Jeb Bush would definitely be a loser, and Joe the Plumber’s stint with Pajama Media probably won’t pass the experience test. Jindal, however is relatively new and doesn’t come with baggage, at least not yet. The Republicans are losing control and they will push to the front whomever the big money people feel has the biggest chance to bring back many of the centrist Republicans who voted for President Obama, or didn’t vote at all. Most of the people owning the Republicans, belong to the “Business Roundtable” that controlled the Bush Administration, and these guys will use whomever they can that they feel will yield the least path of resistance in their quest to regain control. The election of Steele is a good example. I think they are going to have a hard time of it in the next eight years however. They are going to have a lot of legs cut out from under them.

Posted by: devilkev | February 12, 2009, 1:58 am 1:58 am

GOP having hope for Jindal is completely laughable. Need baggage,BJ was prior head of LA medicaid who cut reimbursments to docs so that most don’t even take the insurance anymore in state of only 12,000 docs. Maybe that contributes to there glowing 50 out of 50 in health care! Hey GOP lets talk about LA and BJ’s wonderful education ranking 50 out of 50! Or maybe LA’s per capita prison population! Try fixing LA’s problems before taking on the entire country’s!!

Posted by: Dead Last State | February 12, 2009, 3:30 am 3:30 am

Marianne,
Obama has a 69% approval rating. What major mistakes has he made.

Posted by: Jwench | February 12, 2009, 7:37 am 7:37 am

I have no idea why such a poor state would elect a Republican. Republicans are tight-fisted people who would rather poor people remain that way while the connected and the rich get richer.

Posted by: Bob | February 12, 2009, 9:03 am 9:03 am

Sorry, Bob; perhaps Daschle can help the poor people. He only pocket $2,000,000.00. Or, Dead Last, I guess you think BHO is responsible for the economic problems because he’s in office now? What did BJ inherit, and from whom? And William, who’s missing after Katrina? I thought Blanco was Govthrough that mess. C’mon, I know only the Messiah in DC can save us all.

Posted by: Tom Beebe | February 12, 2009, 11:18 am 11:18 am

Gotta love the liberal bloggers on here. You dismiss anyone that is republican but just cant see anything wrong with your corrupt Dems, none of them, even the ones known to have committed a crime i.e how many havent paid taxes ???
Gov Jindal is a very smart man and is also a very likeable man. I think he could clean up against Obama. The thing is you are always playing the race card but the fact is everybody in the republican party likes Jindall for all he’s about and what he’s achieved. He and Michael Steele are BIG assets to the party and i can tell you all now, republicans are becoming very proud to be republicans again. yes we had some bad years, but the good people are shining through and this is good for us, but probably bad for you. Remember obama didnt win by that big a margin, there are still a lot of people out there who will elect a good republican.

Posted by: Lou | February 12, 2009, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm

Unfortunately, Republican hopes depend on America’s failure. Why do Republicans hate America? Republicans have done more damage to the U.S. than the Terrorists. They are the best allies the Terrorists could hope for. America deserves better than the “best and brightest” the Republians have to offer……..”whack job” Moose Barbie and the rest of the morally and intellectually bankrupt, hypocritical, lunatic fringe, neo-con, theocratic extremist Right.

Posted by: Sammy | February 12, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

Sammy – you coulddnt be so wrong. gotta stop reading huffington post and start listening to what the republicans are saying for their reason for rejecting this bill. they know we dont have any money to give out, but yet cant understand why the dems are so adamant that a bill with so much spending has to be done right now. why not concentrate on the stuff that really gets the economy going (that is just common sense) and then in a few months concentrate on the spending. the spending can wait, the economy cant.

Posted by: Lou | February 12, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm

Republican= religious zealots, homophobic bigots, absolutist fascists, in our bedroom police!

Posted by: FlexSF | February 12, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

indy_voter, sammy – enjoy the next two years of democratic control… ’cause the fat ladies singing.
The demoncratic have controlled congress for the past two years and rung up the largest deficits in US history. Say what you want about Bush, but demoncrats approved $700 billion and then only gave out $350 billion. Now they have another $850 billion to waste. Gas is over $2 a gallon, while the glut of oil is under $38 a barrel. Thank you demoncrats for the disconnect.
$1.5 Trillion dollars in debt, enough dollars to buy 1/3 of all the gold ever mined in the world.
And more reasons; the demoncrats sent millions of job over seas because their president approve the North American Free Trade Agreement, Joined the World Trade Organization, and Signed off on China’s Permanent Most Favored Trade Status.
And by Executive Order, makes it impossible for businesses to be successful in our country.
Plus the demoncrats have stolen the votes of the people making the word Marriage include Homosexuals. Signed on to pay for abortions at any price for anyone…
Yes enjoy your two years… because the same bankrupt perverse arrogant intellect that caused the overthrow of the demoncrats in 1994 is back again. Crow now ’cause the demoncratic hatred of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is on the eve of it’s destruction.
And remember, millions of jobs have been exported by the demoncratic party decisions in the early ’90′s History is much longer than a sound byte.

Posted by: Crash n' burn | February 12, 2009, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm

Dead Last State, Boob – ever heard of
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco the former demoncratic governor of Lousiana? She managed to mismanage the state and the response to Hurricane Katrina so badly that it’s a wonder Jindal even has a government and people to manage.

Posted by: Crash n' burn | February 12, 2009, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm

I just don’t even know what to say on this post. As usual, the conservative minded thinkers are the only people making any sense. From what I have seen, it’s the democratic party that is constantly bringing race into EVERYTHING. Bobby Jindal is a bright, articulate, level-headed, conservative minded leader of a state that was on the brink of collapse from years of democratic leadership and democratic corruption. His ethnicity has nothing to do with his proven record of leadership and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and work tirelessly to get his state better than it has ever been. Michael Steele, the new chairman of the RNC is a dynamic man who is also very intellegent and has a very strong leadership ability. An ability to lead others and to mentor a party that is unarguably at a crossroads philisophically (in Washington, not on mainstreet, we all know where we stand) has NOTHING to do with what color they are. I am sorry that there are so many democrats that are so small minded to think that race is still an issue in the lives of these two very successful republican leaders.
Flex–I am a conservative republican, and I am not prejudice, I am not a religious zealot, although I am proudly a Christian, and I do not care what you do in your bedroom, however I don’t believe that you should be married if you are gay, as do a majority of the people in California. Sorry, but that is what I believe. I won’t put your down for your views, if you will refrain from calling me names for my views.

Posted by: Jessica | February 12, 2009, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm

It is obvious to the casual observer now, that President Obama is in way over his head. He appears to be a puppet of congressional members that are still lamenting the Gore loss.
Obama, so far, does not act as if he has any valid thoughts of his own and cannot think for himself.
It is a shame for the Democratic Party as its credibility is slipping much faster than anyone may have expected.
Jindal will be a breath of fresh air for both parties.

Posted by: jfbyc3 | February 12, 2009, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm

Louisiana still has many problems coming from past Governor’s & the way many of these problems were handled but this seems to have changed with the election of Governor Jindal. He has made several ethical changes in several post of LA. commissions, travels extensivly throughout the state, stays on “top of new problems occurring in the State” & is trying to get more jobs for the citizens of LA.. I for one am very happy he was elected Governor, hope he continues with the programs that he is trying to install in the state presently especially in the educational fields, he has spoken to the citizens many times in Town Hall Meetings throughout LA. & is a very “hands on person” & listens to problems from the people no matter what financial class they are in & you can tell he is seriously interested in the problems & finding solutions as quickly & financially beneficial to the people. Yes, I voted for him, I am a registered Democrat but our state suffered greatly under Democratic governors & a change definitely needed to be made, I hope he continues to serve our state for several years in the direction he is now traveling, we need more jobs, better education starting in the homes, more of our children going into education & returning to LA., stricter behavior changes in our classrooms so our teachers & administers can do their jobs as educators & increases in salary for all sections of the educational fields. Also changes should be made if our present educators are not doing the jobs they were hired to accomplish & help should also be given to those educators that are of retirement age but would like to remain in the system to continue education of our students as they already know the problems that are presently in the system.

Posted by: Shirley | February 12, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm

Lou…….no reason to listen to Republicans. They have no credibility. They are the foliks who have brought all these problems. Why would anyone in their right mind listen to the perpetrators?

Posted by: Sammy | February 12, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

Both parties are the same, they are BOTH betraying us! The health care provisions in the massive spending bill are enough to discredit the Dems and the Reps BOTH!!!!!
GOOD COP, BAD COP–PEOPLE!
Obama is as slick as they come. Everyone is underestimating what this guy is capable of. Checking up on us and our Doctors via electronic health records, and hiding it in a spending bill is genius. This is just the beginning. . .
Bush started the process of USA lock down, Obama will continue it.

Posted by: DC SUX | February 12, 2009, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm

GO Jindal! you rock!
i would love to see Jindal and Obama having a debate right now over the stimulus, Jindal will totally expose Obama for the weak stuttering fool he is.

Posted by: jaj | February 12, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

Everyone-
I am sure that we all want a turn around for our country! If it stays the way it is, Rich or Poor alike will suffer. I just want a change and a possible chance for us to return into a financial super power. How did we get this bad is what we should all ask and get out of this Democratic vs Republicans state of mind. I will say that there has been mistake in many of the past administrations both sides so, let give it up and work together to save ourselves! It will take all of us to put some work in to change our present fate.
The banks received money with no strings attached and that is how they are spending it! Pres. Obama has only been in office for less than a month and we are blaming him for our present prediciment. Even a Republican can admit that that is unfair. Considering what has happened in the past in Washington, him trying his best can’t make it worse.
In the past, we have borrowed money from our China which represents Communisum. We have been spending money we don’t have for years so, what makes this bailout different now? Now that America needs it most!
Everyone-
I am sure that we all want a turn around for our country! If it stays the way it is Rich or Poor alike will suffer. I just want a change and a possible chance for us to return into a financial super power. How did we get this bad is what we should all ask and get out of this Democratic vs. Republicans state of mind. I will say that there has been mistake in many of the past administrations both sides so, let give it up and work together to save ourselves! It will take all of us to put some work in to change our present fate.
The banks received money with no strings attached and that is how they are spending it! Pres. Obama has only been in office for less than a month and we are blaming him for our present predicament. Even a Republican can admit that that is unfair. Considering what has happened in the past in Washington, him trying his best can’t make it worse.
In the past, we have borrowed money from our China which represents Communism. We have been spending money we don’t have for years so, what makes this bailout different now? Now that America needs it most!
Concerned US Citizen

Posted by: lovleshe | February 12, 2009, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm

Everyone-
I am sure that we all want a turn around for our country! If it stays the way it is Rich or Poor alike will suffer. I just want a change and a possible chance for us to return into a financial super power. How did we get this bad is what we should all ask and get out of this Democratic vs. Republicans state of mind. I will say that there has been mistake in many of the past administrations both sides so, let give it up and work together to save ourselves! It will take all of us to put some work in to change our present fate.
The banks received money with no strings attached and that is how they are spending it! Pres. Obama has only been in office for less than a month and we are blaming him for our present predicament. Even a Republican can admit that that is unfair. Considering what has happened in the past in Washington, him trying his best can’t make it worse.
In the past, we have borrowed money from our China which represents Communism. We have been spending money we don’t have for years so, what makes this bailout different now? Now that America needs it most!
Concerned US Citizen

Posted by: lovleshe | February 12, 2009, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm

lovleshe-
well i am a concern citizen too. i got sick and tired of the democrats blaming pres Bush for every little thing too. they did not help unite the country then.
i would like the MSM to investigate why the housing market collasped. i want them to tell us the truth about Obama being the 2nd highest recipent for Fannie Mae & freddi Mac. i want to know why the man who was in charge of FM and FM is still allowed to have a say with our tax money. i want to know why Rangel is still in sitting and in charge of oversight and he didnt pay taxes. i want to know why giethner is allowed to be treasury and he cheated on his taxes, it was not an innocent mistake…
i t hink we ought to wipe the slate clean and have 1 group run by democrat and the other group by republicans and then we can see what actually works and wahat does not work.
while we are at that, lets have M,W,F news will be run byliberals. T,TH, Sat will be by republicans.. then sunday will be cochaired by both. that way we can tune in and see what eachside has to say equally….

Posted by: jaj | February 12, 2009, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

e pluribus unum, out of many, one !
All these comments and discussions are healthy for it shows that we are concerned with what is happening with our country; Let us not divide our country as RED STATES and BLUE STATES, we are all Americans as our President declared in one of his great speeches. There is no easy and simple solution to a crisis this magnitude; It affects the entire world, except, maybe Canada, whose Banking System remains healthy compared to ours and Europe; Our Biggest asset besides the strong foundation of our Government is the People it governs, e pluribus unum. We are all different , but WE ARE ONE!

Posted by: ALFRED | February 12, 2009, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm

We have the Messiah. We don’t need Jindal. The Messiah is bringing us in the right direction. 26% of Americans think socialism is the way to go:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/right_direction_wrong_track/right_direction_or_wrong_track

Posted by: JB | February 12, 2009, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm

Bobby Jindal is the Republican’s new tool. They caused this crisis. They don’t want to take responsibility. I am from Conservative state of Texas and many of the Republicans here say they will never vote for an Indian. They are upset about the U.S. outsourcing jobs to India and lump Jindal with the rest of the Indians. These people are ignorant and racist. Let’s face it: If Obama were not elected, the Republicans will not give Jindal another look. Not to mention Jindal’s record is less than stellar. He has not done a good job at cleaning up Louisiana at all.

Posted by: Sarah Palin | February 12, 2009, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm

McCain made a big mistake not picking Jindal for his VP in 2008. I like Palin, but she and her family were a major distraction.
Jindal’s the party’s future, not Palin.

Posted by: nathan | February 12, 2009, 11:45 pm 11:45 pm

I am a democrat, but I like and admire Jindal. He is not like the usual GOP politicians. He does not oppose to merely oppose, but says that the GOP has to have solutions to win. That’s common sense. Reasonable people, whether independant, democrat, or republican, can disagree without tearing down someone else’s views. Jindal – young, bright, educated, articulate, and charming. I think the GOP finally found a winner. With regard to La., no one can fix LA.’s problems. Too many – high crime, poverty, corruption, and hurricanes. Jindal is doing what he can there, in a state many before him have neglected.

Posted by: Neil Thomas | February 13, 2009, 1:08 am 1:08 am

Hey Jindal bashers… Do you have any IDEA whose utter catastrophic messes this guy is tasked with cleaning up????
You are so foolishly citing the states standing in america in all these catagories like this happened in the last two weeks. The dems have been ruling (typo) ruining this state for years.
I am pleased to see the rehtoric you are lashing out concerning his ethnic background it really shows who the true racists are out there.

Posted by: Mwoody | February 13, 2009, 9:12 am 9:12 am

Oh please! the Republicans are so desperate, do they think they can capture the minority vote by showing us two non white faces? Fat chance! Max Steele is a traitor and a crook and blacks don’t trust this shifty looking bastard. He will not carry the black vote. Blacks will never vote for a Republican. He can’t touch Obama. It’s too bad that he doesn’t know that he is on the wrong side of history ( to borrow a phrase) does he really think they would have elected him chair if McCain had won the election? and poor Bobby,another Repug tool, got voted in because he was the only Republican on the ballot voting in a Republican state, hmm, I wonder how much luck he would have had becoming governor in a state like New York or California?…Not! You too Mr J are on the wrong side of history! The Repugs are a sinking ship! MR J you are a smart guy get off while you can! they can keep Maxie boy.

Posted by: AngieBee | February 13, 2009, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm

That Jindal dude better shut the heck up and vanish from the surface of the earth. He is acting like he is all perfect and that, that dude is dumb….maybe he has forgotten that it was the Republican party that put the rest of the US economy in this situation. Maybe he should take a second look at himself cuz he is being a real hypocrite….What an Ass!!

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