Convention to hear Jindal

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Aug 21, 2008 - Page: 10A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Gov. Bobby Jindal failed to nab the plum role of keynote speaker at next month’s Republican National Convention. That honor went to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Instead, Jindal will speak on the same night as U.S. Sen. John McCain’s still unnamed running mate.

However, the fact that Jindal received a prime time slot in St. Paul, Minn., is significant, GOP insiders said Wednesday.

“It says that our state is coming out of its political shadow,” said former Gov. Buddy Roemer, a McCain campaign supporter and a delegate to the GOP convention that starts Sept. 1.

Jindal’s appearance is thought to be the first time in modern history that a Louisiana governor has landed a prominent speaking role at either major party convention.

“In my lifetime, I don’t remember anyone, No. 1, being one of the main players. … No. 2 having a major role,” pollster Bernie Pinsonat said.

The governor said he plans to talk about affordable health care, tax cuts and energy alternatives at what will be his first national convention.

“We haven’t even started writing the speech but clearly we want to talk about solutions,” Jindal said in a telephone interview after meeting with President Bush in New Orleans.

Jindal said he would be positive rather than attack the Democratic Party.

The governor said he also will try to work in the message that Louisiana is open for businesses and tourists after two back-to-back hurricanes in 2005.

Jindal is slated to speak Sept. 3, the day former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Cindy McCain are addressing the convention. Also on the list is “Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee.”

Earlier this year, McCain was thought to be considering Jindal as a possible running mate. Jindal spent Memorial Day weekend at McCain’s Arizona ranch along with Romney and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.

Jindal repeatedly said he does not want to become vice president.