re: Did Bobby Jindal’s 2009 Speech destroy his political career?

I was very involved with Jindal first (losing) campaign to Blanco when i was in my 20s. It was hard not to be impressed with him as his intelligence and command of even arcane policy was incredible. I really liked the people he had around him in that campaign and enjoyed the insurgent aspect of it. Results were not what we wanted but was optimistic based on the support he received that things were poised for change in the state.

Round 2 was completely different, as he brought on a new cast of characters to run things and they clearly had a much broader vision for him beyond Louisiana. I was not comfortable with the new team and was not active in that or his future campaigns, although I voted for him.

With all of his political capital and savvy, he had the single best opportunity to make substantive change for Louisiana in my lifetime. He squandered it completely.

My father and his friends chided me for the optimism that we could make this state better during the first campaign. I pushed back but they were 100% correct. This state is a lost cause.

I often wonder if he regrets his approach.