McCain Seeks a Veep; Let it be Anyone other than Bobby Jindal

Recent reporting suggests John McCain is hosting three possible Vice Presidential picks at his home in Sedona, Arizona. The three reportedly are Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

I pray that McCain does not ask Jindal to be his VP nominee. And I pray that if he does, Jindal will not accept. The way I see it, Governor Bobby Jindal is the real deal, the much-vaunted "change" that Barack Obama wishes he really represented. While Barack Obama's speeches are full of self-gratifying rhetoric, Jindal's speeches are full of serious proposals for reform and are genuinely inspiring, no matter one's political persuasions.

While Jindal is probably the most exciting Republican politician of recent years, this is not the time for him to be a candidate for national office, Vice President or no. He would definitely add a strong reformist streak to McCain's campaign, but his nomination now as VP would be detrimental to his future political career, especially if McCain's campaign for the presidency fails.

Jindal is new to his position as Louisiana governor, having just been elected in 2007. He is full of political potential, but his relative lack of executive experience could be detrimental as a vice presidential nominee. Jindal, Louisiana, and the United States would be far better served by his successful completion of at least one full term as Louisiana governor, one in which he could enact significant reforms and change the political culture and economic climate of the state. Two successful terms would be even better.

Let's face it: John McCain will never be conservatism's standard-bearer. Bobby Jindal may be. At 36, he has a long, fruitful political career ahead of him. After four, or eight, years of accomplishment under his belt, he will be the strongest Republican candidate on a national ticket come 2012 or 2016.

It would be a well-intentioned mistake for John McCain to choose Bobby Jindal as his running-mate. Let us pray he is not asked to abandon his current task of reforming Louisiana.