FEBRUARY 16, 2008 POLITICS / JOHN MAGINNIS
It's nice to think, but hard to believe, that the whole
nation will be watching when Gov. Bobby Jindal offers the
Republican response to President Barack Obama's first address
to Congress on Tuesday night. As soon as the president
concludes his remarks, millions will tune out for other
programming, while in south Louisiana, very many will be zoned
out as Mardi Gras weaves and stumbles to conclusion.
It's nice to think, but hard to believe, that the whole
nation will be watching when Gov. Bobby Jindal offers the
Republican response to President Barack Obama's first address
to Congress on Tuesday night. As soon as the president
concludes his remarks, millions will tune out for other
programming, while in south Louisiana, very many will be zoned
out as Mardi Gras weaves and stumbles to conclusion.
Yet, for many who stick around, it will be the first time
they hear or lay eyes on the young governor hailed to be the
future of his party. It won't exactly be a make-or-break
impression, but close enough that failure is no option.
they hear or lay eyes on the young governor hailed to be the
future of his party. It won't exactly be a make-or-break
impression, but close enough that failure is no option.
What to say, what to say. His words won't be entirely,
perhaps not mostly, his own, but, rather, largely outlined by
the congressional leaders who tapped him. And there are hard
feelings aplenty in Republican circles toward the opening acts
of the new president and Democratic majority in Congress.
This won't be the speech Jindal would have thought 30 days
ago he would be giving. Besides a personal affinity between
the two, he and Obama have cast themselves as forerunners of
post-partisan politics, intent on putting aside petty rancor
and reaching across aisles for the common good. Unfortunately,
the leaders on both sides in Congress did not get the memo.
Democrats seized the opportunity to fatten up the economic
stimulus package with new programs denied them for eight
years, while Republicans, who were at a loss for explanations
during the elections, rediscovered their voice (also lost for
eight years) in opposition to ballooning spending and debt.
The president, no doubt, will offer the olive branch again, perhaps not mostly, his own, but, rather, largely outlined by
the congressional leaders who tapped him. And there are hard
feelings aplenty in Republican circles toward the opening acts
of the new president and Democratic majority in Congress.
This won't be the speech Jindal would have thought 30 days
ago he would be giving. Besides a personal affinity between
the two, he and Obama have cast themselves as forerunners of
post-partisan politics, intent on putting aside petty rancor
and reaching across aisles for the common good. Unfortunately,
the leaders on both sides in Congress did not get the memo.
Democrats seized the opportunity to fatten up the economic
stimulus package with new programs denied them for eight
years, while Republicans, who were at a loss for explanations
during the elections, rediscovered their voice (also lost for
eight years) in opposition to ballooning spending and debt.
because he got what he wanted, though he had to play rougher
than he wished. How does Jindal, prompted by his patrons,
respond?
One reason Republican poobahs picked him is that he stuck
with them, unlike some of his colleagues. The Washington Post
headline read: Governors Root for Stimulus Package. Not ours.
While other Republican governors of states in fiscal crisis,
from Florida's Charlie Crist to California's Arnold
Schwarzenegger, openly or tacitly supported the Democratic
bill, Jindal said he would have voted against it. It's a low
profile in courage, since no House Republicans voted for it.
Still, he is on record in dissent, even if he will find a way
to spend virtually all that's coming to the state.
He will want to continue basing his opposition to the
massive debt incurred instead of lobbing grenades about
porkish excess, unless such is demanded of him. That's the
trick for the governor of the largely non-partisan state, who
could always operate as his own man instead of the party's he
is coming to aid. Having just been hit by a truck, at the
polls and on the Hill, most Republicans are looking for more
of a fighter than a peacemaker. Not a bruiser so much as
someone who can at least throw a punch when needed.
In a speech, leadership is conveyed as much by body
language as the Queen's English. That could be a problem for
Jindal, who is rusty on that score. From a campaign with
little opposition to an agenda with little resistance, it's
been a while since he has had to really stand and deliver.
Some recent in-state speeches before important audiences have
been flat, rote recitations of his accomplishments, lacking
feeling or even inflection, as though he's bored with us
already. He may think he can turn it on when it matters, but
he would be wise to invest in a speech coach, so as not to
turn off a nation.
This may be just an unequal time response that won't change
anything in Washington, but it is a big-time, high-stakes
speech, for him and for us. The last time a Louisiana governor
had nearly so large a national stage, it was on the front
steps of a federal courthouse. The country, now being urged to
not forsake this still-ravaged state, needs to know Louisiana
has picked an effective leader and has not fallen for another
glib fast talker. His true believers will be cheering and
praying for him, but even his critics need wish him well.
Break a leg, Bobby, and bring it.
No comments:
Post a Comment