BOBBY JINDAL IS NEXT 'RONALD REAGAN'
By Parveen Chopra, New York, February 10, 2008 (IANS)

A popular radio talk show host has said that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, whom he called the "next Ronald Reagan", would make the best running mate for John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee. Jindal, a 36-year-old Republican born in India, took over as the Louisiana governor last month after a resounding poll victory.

Talking about the names for the vice-president nominee floating around in Republican circles, Rush Limbaugh said Friday on his show that airs on 600 radio stations nationwide, "I'm going to give you a name that would make me jump for joy - Bobby Jindal. I did an interview with Bobby Jindal. He is the next Ronald Reagan if he does not change."

Talking with a caller, Limbaugh, who has been critical of McCain for not being conservative enough, explained why the Republican Party should choose Jindal to run with McCain. "He's young. He's the guy who beat the liberal Democrat machine throughout Louisiana. He did it on 100 percent conservatism," the transcript of the show reads on Limbaugh's website.

But then the host of the top rated national radio show regretted that Jindal does not stand a chance. "I think he may be too conservative for McCain. That depends on who they think McCain will need or want, but Jindal is very young, and he's only in his first year as governor."

In the interview he gave to Limbaugh's newsletter, Jindal shared his thoughts on how the Republican Party can emerge on top again after ceding control of the Congress to the Democrats, who are also better placed to win back the presidency.

"When we go back to our principled roots, when we go back to being the party of Ronald Reagan, the party of lower taxes, the party of principled defence of life and the party of a strong defence, voters will reward us for that. They're looking for authenticity," Jindal said.