Nagin On Jindal: Presidential Ambitions Clouding His Stimulus Judgment

The distribution of the stimulus package is creating a complicated set of political circumstances for Republican Governors who opposed the measure: stick to their fiscal-conservative stance or grab a much-needed piece of the pie?

The equation is even more complex for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. The up-and-coming Republican could -- like all governors -- use the money to shore up state budget needs. But he also has his eyes on higher political office, an ambition which seems to be compelling him to decline the stimulus aid on ideological grounds.

On Friday, the state's highest profile mayor, New Orleans Democrat Ray Nagin, called out Jindal for putting political ambitions above gubernatorial priorities.

"I'm going to answer this question in the spirit of cooperation," Nagin told reporters after attending a White House meeting with more than 75 other mayors, "because most of the money is going through the states. But I think that the governor of the state of Louisiana, I think he's been tapped as the up-and-coming Republican to petition a run for president the next time it goes around. So he has a certain vernacular, and a certain way he needs to talk right now."

Nagin went on to note that even without Jindal's approval, state officials will likely go around him to secure federal aid. "[Representative James] Clyburn did something very smart. He said if the government does not want this money, the legislators can vote to accept the money. And I told the governor personally, any dollars he does not want, we will take them."

That, it seems, would be Jindal's dream scenario: remaining in opposition to the stimulus package, but not suffering the consequences. Two years from now, Jindal would be poorly suited to run for president if the state he heads remains mired in the economic doldrums. If legislators get the stimulus money and Louisiana's economy begins to perk up, Jindal could very well get an indirect political benefit.

Comments

[Kiabell04]

12:38 PM on 02/22/2009

Ray was dead on with his analysis of Jindal. It is obvious to me that the GOP Governors and Senators who are looking for either re-electio­n or Presidenti­al goals, are seriously opposing this bill. They are putting their ambitions before their constituen­ts, and unfortunat­ely, their constituen­ts may be dumb enough to fall for this smoke screen that the GOP are holding up.

[den1953]

11:31 AM on 02/22/2009

This Jindal dude was suppose to be the new breed of Republican he looks kinda like Bush lite!

[SN365]

12:33 PM on 02/22/2009

Yes, Jindal is the new and the worst face of the Republican party. Mayor Nagin is right on the money when he stated that Jindal is blinded by his political ambitions. I don't think this guy realizes that GOP is using him as a guinea pig as they did with Alan Keyes when they recruited him to run against Obama in 2004. Alan was fried in that race. The same fate will be waiting for governor Jindal if he runs for presidency in 2012 or 2018. While chasing his personal ambitions, he is depriving the people of Louisiana the benefit of the economic stimulus. The Democrats should not allow Jindal to selectivel­y accept money from the stimulus package. If he tries to be smart, he should be told all-or-non­e! In the meantime, the people of Louisiana need to pay good attentions to their Governor's judgment; and plan to recall him before his term ends or at least kick him out of office if he fails to do what is best for his State. Jindal needs to learn a lesson from wise governors of Florida and California­.

[jtown]

11:26 AM on 02/22/2009

Jindal needs to understand the white mis and uneducated repugs will never elect him!!!!!

[labman]

09:44 AM on 02/22/2009

though I don't often care for Ray Nagin's approach on many issues, he has this one dead on. None of these guys are fooling anyone, they all are looking to 2012, and will do anything, including denying the citizens of their state some economic relief to appeal to the Republican base.

[fedupinfla]

02:02 AM on 02/22/2009

So now another Gov. is going to sit by and watch the whole STATE drown, not just New Orleans...­.

[WABJR]

01:26 AM on 02/22/2009

FINANCIAL CRISIS: THE NAKED TRUTH AND WHY THE STIMULUS HAD TO PASS

http://www­.digitalpo­litic.com/­?p=240

The Digital Political

[mrskorn]

12:40 AM on 02/22/2009

I am sure he would love to get his corrupt fingers on the money.

[Effymens]

11:02 PM on 02/21/2009

I am amazed about how clueless some of these politician­s think and behave.Wha­t makes Jindal think that he can ever defeat President Obama is beyond me.Jindal or whatever he calls himself is living in a fantasy land and l sincerely hope and pray that he rejects the stimulus money.Thes­e Republican­s are incredible­, where were they when Bush was running this country into the ground?The­se people do not make sense .Santelli is ranting and raving about bailing out home owners but nothing about the bankers who knowingly gave these homeowners mortgages they could not afford.Whe­re did they think that these homeowners were going to get the money.We have tried the Repulican way in the last 8years and it has not worked so forgive me if l am not impressed by these so called Repblican governors who want more of the same.TAX CUT TAX CUT for the rich.We have tried it over and over and over and it does not work.Insan­ity is doing the same thing over and over and over and expect a different result.Ame­ricans are not insane so Mr Jindal forgive me if l am not impressed.­Good luck defeating President Obama because you will certainly need it.

[Princeton]

09:45 PM on 02/21/2009

I love how President Obama has but the repugs in a quandary with the stimulus money. Damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they do take the money, they're painted as socialists­. If they don't, they get voted out of office for taking their states down to the poor house.

[carolinecantoo]

11:58 AM on 02/22/2009

I love how President Obama had nothing to do it. They defeat themselves­.

[SN365]

12:31 AM on 02/23/2009

Good observatio­n!

[WorkingClass]

07:32 PM on 02/21/2009

Jindal has no political future anywhere, anytime. He hates working class people and its on the record. He should team up with Jeb Bush who also has no future for equally good reasons. They could explore opportunit­ies for crime in the private sector.

[reneejay]

04:39 PM on 02/21/2009

My comment was intended to say they don't care about people .

[NFS]

03:43 PM on 02/21/2009

He, Alan Keyes and Steele are white GOP oreo wannabe's. Such a shame, but God don't like ugly and they'll be stepped on and spit out just like all the other house n......ger­s who told on the slaves trying to escape slave owners. They can think differentl­y if they want to...it's already begun. I don't hear any GOPers, celebratin­g the statements Steele and Keyes have been making, because they know they haven't got the brains they were born with. They are followers not leaders, that's why they despise Pres. Obama so much. But again...th­e God they say they serve, doesn't like ugly and whatever they sow, they will reap.

[Merersu]

06:06 PM on 02/25/2009

Right on!

[cloudminder]

03:33 PM on 02/21/2009

Donna Brazile needs to run for Governor of LA

[BEHM777]

09:34 AM on 02/22/2009

I like that idea.

[SN365]

12:33 AM on 02/23/2009

She will kick Jindal's behind.

[marymansour]

03:11 PM on 02/21/2009

I love Ray Nagin. You tell it like it is, Mr. Mayor.

[springsm]

05:50 PM on 02/21/2009

You are correct Mr Nagin, try to find some more important voices and some white voices to back you up on this...Get the word out. Have your people all vote next time..thos­e who are still in NO who can get to voting booths, I mean. Jindal is trying to be the conservati­ve bobby kennedy..p­eople need to see and hear what a selfish stingy ambitious person he is. His actions are deplorable­. I hope someone can keep all of this out there in the news in Louisiana.

[MyGuyO]

01:51 PM on 02/21/2009

Agree with Mayor Nagin. Gov. Jindal is all show, does not care to work for the people of his state at all. Gov. Jindal is only digging a bigger hole for himself. NO WAY JINDAL, in 20012!