A better out of the box pick
James Forsyth 11:16pm
In the coverage of Hurricane Gustave, Bobby Jindal the governor of Louisiana, keeps appearing making calm, clear statements. Jindal was at one point regarded as McCain’s most likely out of the box VP pick and his impressive performances today makes one think about what might have been.
Jindal like Palin is a rare figure who could both excite the Republican base and get undecided and independent voters to take a second look at the ticket. Again like Palin, Jindal is a first term governor who has taken on the corrupt political establishment of his state and would have bolstered McCain’s reform message. But, and this is what makes me think Jindal would have been a better pick, he has some non-state level experience having served in both the Bush administration and Congress. We also have a far better idea of what Jindal thinks about foreign policy than we do Palin.
Anne de Brux
September 1st, 2008 3:39am Report this commentBut he isn't a woman... and McCain's tactical move, i.e., choosing Palin, is to gather women to vote for him.
Desperate move during desperate times!
Old Hack
September 1st, 2008 7:03am Report this commentWhat is it exactly that makes Biden such an expert about US foreign policy?
Does making pronouncements on political chatshows or junketing in European capitals make you any more ready for the perils of international diplomacy?
Palin needs to pitch her executive experience against Biden and rise above the overkill she is experiencing as the liberal media rush to define and pidgeon hole her alongside Dan Quayle.
Ian C
September 1st, 2008 12:17pm Report this commentPalin ticks alot of boxes - the GOP base, women, pro-lifers, ENERGY/OIL, vested interests fear her in Alaska, families. And she is a bit older than Jindal who is still inhis 30's. Her week suit must be foreign policy but she just has to stick to principles and let McCain argue the detail.
It is all about how she copes under scrutiny and fire. Obama made a good but not killer case for his election but his si the most expensive programme ever invented by a Democrat and will be targeted as such heavily. Biden is a weak choice and Palin a risky one.
Game on...
Trafalgar
September 1st, 2008 5:57pm Report this commentJindal would have been an ace VP pick for McCain. A second-generation Indian could have cemented already strong ties between India and the US. As geo-politically, India will be the US's most important ally in future decades - perhaps he could be a future Secretary of State?
One of the few positive things that Bush did foreign policy- wise was forging better links with India and Jindal could have carried the torch.
Verity
September 2nd, 2008 4:04pm Report this commentLook, everyone, no one is a bigger Jindal fan than me. But he declined the offer. Get over it.
He wants to turn his own state around after generations of corruption. That's the task he has set himself.
Verity
September 2nd, 2008 4:06pm Report this commentAnne de Brux writes; "Desperate move during desperate times!" Oooh, the triumphant exlamation point!
Mr de Bruxe, could you define what is "desperate" about the times, please?
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