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Makes Me Want to Gavomit

Submitted by idahoconservative on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 08:23
in

Newt Gingrich writes an article  talking about the truly remarkable changes that Bobby Jindal has brought to Louisiana:

You may have heard his name mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate, but if you don't know anything more about Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, you should.

Governor Jindal is leading a revolution of conservative reform in Louisiana. He is the most transformational young governor in America today. The principles that motivate his Louisiana Revolution are the same pro-innovation, pro-competition, anti-bureaucracy and anti- big government principles that I urge each week in this newsletter - the same principles that are so desperately needed in Washington, D.C.

From providing 1500 poor children an escape from failing public schools to increasing the number of Charter Schools in Louisiana from 42 to 100 to passing Six Tax Cuts. These are impressive accomplishments and by the way the Governor has only been in office six months. The response from the Club for Growth? CFG's Nachema Soloveichik says Gingrich's piece is Gavomit (combination gag and vomit)-inducing. '

That's funny, because that would be thoughts exactly on the Club's bizarre inexplicable war against one of America's finest governors. Some say we should not criticize the Club because they do so much for conservative candidates across the country. Yes, the Club does do good, however they've also shown a destructive tendancy. When the Club stops their senseless attacks on fine men like Governor Jindal and learns there's a  difference between Bobby Jindal and Lincoln Chaffee, I'll let up. Because, the truth is that we need more men in politics like Governor Jindal and not less. The withering fire of conservative "friends" like the Club for Growth does not help bring these type of people into the process.

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I've always been a fan of

Submitted by Adam Tannenbaum on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 09:35.

I've always been a fan of CFG, but they need to choose their battles more wisely. They have a few legitimate grievances with Bobby Jindal's record in the House (his vote against CAFTA and his vote for the '07 Farm Bill) but need to look more carefully at the whole picture. In addition to Gov. Jindal's reform-minded stewardship of Louisiana, his charter school initiative may set forth a national model for helping inner-city youth escape failing government schools. Such a program's success in New Orleans could undermine powerful teachers unions' argument that school choice programs are too unproven to be implemented.

Even if they can't bring themselves to get behind Jindal by virtue of his weaknesses, CFG isn't advancing their cause by saying "gavomit" or suggesting that Jindal's ascenscion is due to his status as a cultural minority.

A Brand New Skeptic

Submitted by idahoconservative on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 18:32.

I was a big fan of Club For Growth prior to this election. They really did the Lord's work and their donors helped elect Bill Sali to Congress in 2006. I believed what they wrote about Huckabee and felt somewhat betrayed after finding out some of the missing context of their allegations.

However, the Jindal garbage has turned me from a Fan to an uneasy ally to a skeptic. I've helped CFG candidates in the past with my money and will continue to do so if they mer it. I quote stories I find on their blogs and continue to do so. I find certain information they put out useful such as the RePork Card (which they apparently no longer find useful as they're ignoring it on Jindal.) But I have to say, my opinion of the Club has dropped considerably.  

Maybe N-Solo should be watching St. Elsewhere instead of Scrubs

Submitted by lagomorph on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 18:09.

I still can't believe you actually mentioned Bobby Jindal and <<gag>> Lincoln Chaffee in the same sentence!!  Aaaauuugggghhhhh!!!!

One area I strongly disagree with Soloveichik about is the criticism about government transparency when Jindal and his staff want to keep his schedule proprietary.  As a big proponent of privacy, I have no problem with him keeping that information out of the public domain.  CFG and WDSU's attacks on Jindal's transparency by comparing him to "the Bush playbook" seems a bit hysterical and overdramatic to me. 

"It's like the governor is taking a page from the Bush playbook and secrecy seems to be the word of the day," said Rice.

In fact, a study done by the Citizens Access Project at the University of Florida ranks Louisiana last in the country when it comes to transparency in the governor's office. "I think we have to have more sunshine on the governor's office," said Hines.

While it does make public certain documents held by about 60 agency's under the control of the governor, the governor's office itself, as you heard in the story - is off limits.

Would this be the same sunshiney light that Jim Geraghty would like to shine on Barack Obama's previous law career that is now off limits?  I'd need to know more details about what else Jindal is keeping from the public besides his schedule, but it sounds like the information he wants to control involves his schedule, his meetings and "who influences his decisions".  WDSU is one step short of painting the image of Karl Rove dropping by nightly. 

Also, it may be somewhat relevant to mention that it's not Jindal himself who's responsible for the "perception of corruption" and the "last place in the country" transparency standing of Louisiana.  WDSU adds at the very end of their report:

We should point out that Louisiana has consistently ranked at the bottom of the list when it comes to transparency in the governor's office before Bobby Jindal was elected last fall.

Ah...Because for a moment there between CFG and WDSU, I thought it was all about Bobby Jindal. 

 

I'm Surprised I Mentioned

Submitted by idahoconservative on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 18:27.

I'm surpised I mentioned Bobby Jindal and Linc Chaffee in the same sentence as well. I know the difference. I don't know why CFG doesn't.