Reactions to Jindal's Rebuttal

Reactions to Jindal's Rebuttal to Obama's Speech to Congress have been all over the spectrum. Here is a representative sample from the blogosphere:

• Jindal is the real deal. It's the audacity of executive competence.
  
• It's clear from historical examples...that Bobby Jindal is vastly more effective working without a set script. He knows the message, but he delivers it much better off the cuff.
  
• Last night he looked nervous and testosterone-deficient.  He needs to hit the weights.
  
• Regardless of what anyone thought of him last night, and I was pretty hard on him, you can't deny the effectiveness of the Today interview. The GOP should put him on every interview show they can find. 
  
• Given all the goof ups and gaffes Obama has provided, Jindal shouldn't be worried.  First impressions?  How about showing the steady hand Jindal displayed when Louisiana was facing Hurricane Gustav.  That was leadership.
  
• Four years from now, this won't even be a blip.
  
• I remember Reagan looking woefully unprepared and completely out of his depth in his first debate against Walter Mondale. And we all know how that turned out.  If the GOP wants to turn this around, all of their image consultants and handlers for their various candidates should be taken out and...
  
• As a loyal Obama supporter, is it too early for me to contribute some cash to this cat's presidential campaign? 

From Lorie Byrd:

Jindal has only just gotten started. He had a larger audience on Today for his follow up to last night's response. He and other Republicans have to continue to hammer the absurdity of Obama's policies and reckless spending, and provide reasonable, common sense alternatives.

Those Dems here who think Jindal is toast must not have watched the video. Today has a humongous audience. I wouldn't be surprised if more people did see the Today interview than saw the speech last night.

Here is why I am thrilled to see the Dems here write Jindal off...

1.  He will be underestimated now. That is always better than being overestimated. If I had not had such sky high expectations for Jindal last night I probably would have thought the speech was just fine.

2.  Jindal is brilliant off the cuff. You know, in the real world, without a script. His mastery of the facts is incredible. Obama is a brilliant teleprompter speaker. Take away his teleprompter and he uh, uh, has uh, a little, uh, trouble.

3.  If Jindal continues to do interviews like the one he did today on Today he will be a superstar by the time 2012 rolls around. That Dems don't get that only helps us. That Dems don't understand how devastating it is for Jindal to point out that Dems didn't even read the bill and still don't know what is in it, only helps Republicans.

4.  Jindal showed last night a weakness in reading from a teleprompter into a camera. If you read the speech he gave last night, the content is good. Had he given a smooth polished speech full of fluff (Hope'n Change) that would have done more damage because it would have been at odds with his image as someone with a bright, quick mind who can get things done in his state.  

My take:

Obama supporters can heave a big sigh of relief—Jindal has a weakness: in front of a teleprompter, he gives a lackluster performance. But Democrats know Jindal is a force to be reckoned with. Jindal's conservative vision and intellect are razor sharp. He needs to work on his teleprompter skills, but he can beat Obama. I'd love to see those two square off in a debate. Jindal would clean Obama's clock.

More

The Jindal Phenomenon

Jindal, while also religious and conservative, speaks the language of the knowledge class and will not be easily caricatured or dismissed. To journalists, policy experts and Rhodes scholars, Jindal is also "one of us."  At this point in the election cycle, no Republican can be considered more than the flavor of the month. But this is an appealing one.

The Real Bobby Jindal

The GOP should put him on every interview show they can find. 

Jindal, Take 2

Bobby Jindal bounced back this morning from a generally-panned performance to an energetic performance on Today. He gives Meredith Viera a slew of specifics, arguing with more intensity about the pitfalls of Porkulus.

Governor Bobby Jindal On The Today Show

Jindal's Rebuttal to Obama's Speech Before Congress

Americans Can Do Anything

(full text)

Excerpts:

"As I grew up, my mom and dad taught me the values that attracted them to this country - and they instilled in me an immigrant's wonder at the greatness of America. As a child, I remember going to the grocery store with my dad. Growing up in India, he had seen extreme poverty. And as we walked through the aisles, looking at the endless variety on the shelves, he would tell me: 'Bobby, Americans can do anything.' I still believe that to this day.  

...

"Republicans are ready to work with the new President to provide those solutions. Here in my state of Louisiana, we don't care what party you belong to if you have good ideas to make life better for our people. We need more of that attitude from both Democrats and Republicans in our nation's capital. All of us want our economy to recover and our nation to prosper. So where we agree, Republicans must be the President's strongest partners. And where we disagree, Republicans have a responsibility to be candid and offer better ideas for a path forward.

...

"The strength of America is not found in our government. It is found in the compassionate hearts and enterprising spirit of our citizens.

...

"To solve our current problems, Washington must lead. But the way to lead is not to raise taxes and put more money and power in hands of Washington politicians. The way to lead is by empowering you - the American people. Because we believe that Americans can do anything.

...

"Democratic leaders say their legislation will grow the economy. What it will do is grow the government, increase our taxes down the line, and saddle future generations with debt. Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It's irresponsible. And it's no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs, or build a prosperous future for our children.

...

"In recent years, these distinctions in philosophy became less clear - because our party got away from its principles. You elected Republicans to champion limited government, fiscal discipline, and personal responsibility. Instead, Republicans went along with earmarks and big government spending in Washington. Republicans lost your trust - and rightly so.

...

"A few weeks ago, the President warned that our nation is facing a crisis that he said 'we may not be able to reverse.' Our troubles are real, to be sure. But don't let anyone tell you that we cannot recover - or that America's best days are behind her."

Full text of Jindal's Speech