(As I travel to Baton Rouge from New Orleans for class, let this help tide you over for the morning.
I must say that poor ole Newt doesn't understand that Governor PBJ ain't no reformer ... he's more of the same "drowning the government in the bathtub" type of Republican, which is why the "gold standard" of ethics is a big, big issue that I will be highlighting over the next few days during my study breaks for summer class finals. Further, while Governor PBJ may lauded nationally for his "reformer" credentials, we here in Louisiana know the real score ... - promoted by ryan)
Just two weeks ago, the legislative pay raise issue in Louisiana had all but consumed Governor Bobby Jindal. As he continued to tell voters he would not veto the increase that had rallied major statewide opposition, his poll numbers continued to drop. And when he did finally veto the proposal, his delay in doing so seemed to upend any realistic chance of a vice presidential slot on the McCain ticket. But like Lazarus being raised from the dead, low and behold, Jindal is still very much in the VP mix.
There were signs all over the media in the past few days indicating the Jindal is still in the hunt. A profile in this past Sunday's New York Times Magazine had "America's anchorman" Rush Limbaugh reaffirming his support of Jindal getting the number two spot. Limbaugh has had Jindal at the top of his list from day one, and apparently the pay raise flap has not caused him to waver.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote a lengthy profile this week in Human Events magazine calling Jindal "the most transformational governor in America today," and strongly re -affirmed his support for Jindal on the McCain ticket. Gingrich could not have been more effusive. "In just six months, Bobby Jindal has accomplished more than most elected officials accomplish in a lifetime." Pretty strong stuff from one of the GOP's most respected spokesman. Gingrich did mention the pay raise flap in passing, but dismissively concluded that "Jindal's correction has cemented his reputation as a principled conservative reformer."
There's more after the jump!
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