Analysis: Speculation swirls about Jindal's future

• By MELINDA DESLATTE
• Associated Press writer
• Published: Oct 27, 2008 - UPDATED: 7:45 a.m.

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Bobby Jindal says he has the job he wants as governor of Louisiana. He swears he's happy in the Governor's Mansion.

"I told the people of our state we have a one-time, once-in-a-lifetime chance to change our state, and I want to be a part of that, and I'm thrilled to have this job, and I look forward to running for re-election in 2011," Jindal said last week.

So, why is he fundraising in Iowa next month, home of one of the stepping stones to a presidential nomination? And why's he traveling around the country fundraising for himself and other Republican candidates?

Whatever he says, Jindal clearly has his eyes on a bigger political prize down the road.

His ambition has never been much of a secret, and the governor fueled a firestorm of speculation about possible presidential ambitions with his planned trip to Iowa next month.

Jindal will keynote a fundraising dinner on Nov. 22 for the Iowa Family Policy Center's "Celebrating the Family" banquet, a high-profile Christian conservative event in a state pivotal in presidential races.

When asked about the event, the governor deflected talk of presidential hopes. "This is a good group. I was happy to try to help them by speaking at their event, try to help them raise these dollars. It'll be helpful for us to build certainly relationships between our two states," he said.

That didn't stop political blogs around the country from chattering about Jindal's political future - particularly if Republican presidential candidate John McCain doesn't get to the White House.

Bloggers are predicting a Jindal presidential ticket run in 2012, referencing a possible Sarah Palin/Bobby Jindal ticket or suggesting a whole list of ways to read into Jindal's Iowa visit. One thing was plain: Political watchers think the trip means something bigger than just a fundraising boost for a Christian cause.

"As we have written before, politicians NEVER - we can't stress this enough - go to Iowa accidentally. They know exactly what a trip to Iowa means," wrote Chris Cillizza, a national political blogger for washingtonpost.com.

Jindal, 37, is widely considered a rising Republican star. The son of Indian immigrants and the nation's youngest sitting governor, Jindal has attracted attention and praise from some of the most prominent names and commentators in the GOP.

Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh has called Jindal "the next Ronald Reagan." Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich met with Jindal last week and told reporters after the visit, "I think you have maybe the smartest governor in this country."

Jindal's been praised by McCain and was once considered to be a possible vice presidential running mate. Jindal's wife, Supriya, has hit the national campaign trail, too, traveling to Pennsylvania last week to campaign for McCain with the Republican nominee's wife, Cindy.