Sorry, Rod; looks like Gov. Bobby Jindal isn't interested in a 2012 run:
Jindal, who appeared at a news conference to back Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, was asked if he was interested in being president.
"No," he replied.Jindal's trip to Iowa last month fueled speculation that he was laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign, and he did not rule out changing his mind over the next few years.
Instead, he said Americans are weary after the longest, most expensive election cycle in U.S. history.
"I think anybody who is even thinking of running would be well served to roll up their sleeves and support our new president," Jindal said. "I told our people, 'It doesn't matter whether you're Republican, Democrat or independent, it doesn't matter whether you voted for him or not, President-elect Barack Obama is our president."'
Since America is still adjusting to the four year, two month (give or take) election cycle, it's only fair to point out that nobody on the Republican side has officially declared his or her candidacy yet; I'm thinking the precedent of waiting until at least a day or two after the inauguration to make some formal announcement or hold a press conference to discuss the formation of an exploratory committee is probably going to become an established custom, though you never know.
Of course, from his remarks today it's clear that Joe the Plumber is ready to endorse Sarah Palin the minute she appears to be considering 2012; and if Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney ventures within spitting distance of Iowa anytime in the next eighteen months, you can bet some anxious reporter will be sure to ask the fateful question that Jindal answered in the negative, today.
All joking aside, is it really healthy for America to have such a long, drawn-out election process? We really are going to get to the point where about three (or more) of every four years is going to be devoted to the next presidential race. In the face of that possibility, Jindal's advice, that we should roll up our sleeves and work with Obama to the extent we can (or work in thoughtful opposition when we can't) is more beneficial to the country than getting too caught up in the 2012 speculations before the newly-elected president even has his first day in office.
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I'm glad Jindal doesn't want to run in four years. I think Obama will be tough to run against. But I would like to see Jindal in 8 years, however. And I bet he's looking toward that time frame as well.
Of course Jindal is running. They always say that. Why even now he is brushing up on his exorcism skills.
Given the importance of the job, I don't see a problem the a more or less constant campaign. It will ebb and flow, but it's good that potential candidates have to work hard and long for the position. And even as a strong Democratic supporter of Obama, I think it's good that he keep an eye out over his shoulder from time to time.
(And as a side note, why does the Firefox spellchecker still flag "Obama" as a misspelling? Couldn't someone fix that in one of the gazillion updates I download all the time?)
Oh the joys of short-term memories: Four years ago Hillary Clinton wasn't running, too. Remember?
@ public defender: right-click, "add to dictionary". Fixed. Also, what Michele said.
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