Jindal Travelling to New Hampshire, Marking his Territory for 2012
I think it’s safe to say that few actually believed Governor Bobby Jindal’s rhetoric on Wednesday when he told Monroe news outlet, The News Star, that speculation about his ambitions for public office were, “ginned up by political opponents who want him out of the way so they can step in.”
It’s a safe bet that Jindal will leave the state to pursue national opportunities, and honestly, more power to him. His insistence on the contrary is understandable given the fact that he most likely desires to seek re-election in 2011, yet another gold star to add to his relatively brilliant resume. Sure he’s made his mistakes, but who hasn’t?
However, recent information from The Advocate about Jindal travelling to New Hampshire on October 14 to campaign for gubernatorial hopeful John Stephen inches that safe bet a bit closer to a certainty.
The significance of campaigning in New Hampshire? It will be the first battle ground for the GOP primary come 2012.
So, welcome to the campaign before the campaign ladies and gentlemen.
With this in mind, consider the implications for the lieutenant governor’s race today. Whoever you vote for, don’t just think about that person as the “2nd in command.” Because come 2012, there will be a vacancy at Governor,and right now you’re voting on who will fill it.
Well, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. It will be very difficult (if not impossible) for Jindal to both run for re-election as governor and for President at the same time. People running for President will basically start running right after the midterm elections. By March, it will be too late. I don’t think there’s any way that he’s running for President.
I do, however, think that Governor Jindal is running for Vice-President. The more that he raises his national profile and gets people talking about him, the higher the odds of him making the nominee’s short list. And Jindal is very attractive as a possible veep: he’s brilliant, immensely popular in his home state, will hold his own in any debate, and has enough “color” to allow those oppressed with “white guilt” to feel good about voting for him.
That doesn’t mean that Jindal will actually be selected, or that the GOP ticket will win, or that whoever is elected today as Lt. Governor will be re-elected next fall.
Thats a good point. It probably would be difficult for him for run for governor and then president. I think hes keeping his options open here though, and part of going to New Hampshire is him sending out preliminary feelers as to his chances at running in 2012.
I think you’re right on in what you said about raising his national profile. I think he will almost certainly go for some national office in 2012 (assuming the GOP ticket is successful as you mentioned). It may be President it may be VP it may be something else. But this move is clearly one for bolstering his national image, and I still find it to be more than a coincedence that he goes to NH to do it.