Jindal rejects calls to seek vice presidential spot

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Mar 26, 2008 - Page: 13A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Gov. Bobby Jindal said Tuesday that he has no interest in becoming the Republican vice presidential candidate.

Jindal said he plans to complete the four-year term as governor he began in January.

“I actually like the job I’ve got,” Jindal said. “This is where I want to be.”

Jindal joked that Democratic Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu must be working behind the scenes to circulate his name as a vice presidential candidate.

As lieutenant governor, Landrieu would serve the rest of Jindal’s term if Jindal vacates his office to become vice president.

Jindal’s lack of interest in becoming John McCain’s running mate is certain to take some of the bounce out of radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh’s step.

In February, Limbaugh said the prospect of Jindal becoming the vice presidential candidate “would make me jump for joy.”

Jindal’s youth and politics were attractive to other conservatives as well — even if they coupled their exaltation with a disclosure that he was a long-shot.

Jindal recently endorsed McCain, who is all but certain to become the Republican nominee for president.

Last week, conservative columnist Robert Novak wrote that Washington-based activists are pushing Jindal after his “triumphant six-day special session.”

Jindal called legislators into session to give tax breaks to businesses and to spend a $1.1 billion surplus.

Novak points out that Jindal is a first generation-born American and the youngest governor in the nation. The governor’s parents immigrated to the United States from India.

“The major argument against him for vice president is that he should not be taken from Louisiana so soon after assuming office,” he wrote.