Why Qualify?

I know Jindal is a Rhodes Scholar. I know that he, an Indian-American man in his mid-30s, become governor of a state in the Deep South. And I know that he had the brilliant foresight to change his name to Bobby.

What I don't know is why everyone seems to think he's brilliant and praiseworthy, when there doesn't seem to be any evidence for this.

See Nate Silver:

I just want to know who wrote the speech and who vetted it. Because it was manifestly at odds with the talents of the guy who delivered it.

Joe Klein:

Bobby Jindal is a very smart fellow. Back when he was in Congress, I'd try to check in with him every six months or so, just to see what he was thinking about. At first, we talked about health insurance--his specialty. Then, about the federal response to Hurricane Katrina (he was appalled). He was fairly relentlessly conservative, but sometimes quite creative and always intellectually honest.

In short, a different fellow from the one who appeared on Meet the Press today. This Jindal was relentlessly conservative, but not so intellectually honest.

Amy Sullivan:

Jindal is a smart guy, a frighteningly smart guy. I'd love to hear his real, honest, not-positioning-for-2012 response to Obama's speech tonight because I suspect he'd have some sharp and useful criticisms.

Ezra Klein:

Jindal made a mistake accepting the GOP's invitation to give this response. Yesterday, he seemed like a different kind of Republican. Today, he doesn't.

The idea that Jindal was ever going to be campaigning for the Republican nomination for president on a "different kind of Republican" platform is mindboggling. I still don't get why anyone seriously thinks this guy could be elected -- especially given how boilerplate he has come across thus far. It's not like he broke out of the gates like Obama did in 2004.

With that said, I do wonder what Jindal's true goal is here. His opposition to the unemployment insurance component of the stimulus bill is purely political. But to what end? Is Jindal actually going to take on Obama in 2012, or is he just going to be testing the waters? Remember, he'll only be 40 or so when he begins campaigning -- Obama was 46 and his detractors always said he was way too young. Jindal just does not have a prayer in 2012. If things are actually still that bad that Obama is in a tough race, Jindal will not be the alternative who Republicans nominate.

Having said that, why the sudden push into the spotlight? Is anyone going to remember this in 2016? No. Will anyone remember it in 2011? No.

Confusing.