Jindal Makes First NH Speech this Year Amid 2016 Rumors

MANCHESTER, NH – A crowd of about 50 Republicans trickled into the Radisson Hotel Ballroom here Friday night to hear what Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal had to say about the future of the GOP.

"We lost an election, it's time to get over it," he said. "The reality is I'm tired of the navel-gazing. I'm tired of all the public confessions. The reality is we already have one liberal party in America. We don't need two liberal parties."

As the head of the Republican Governors Association, Jindal has been making regular appearances for various groups across the country. The governor has been kicked around as a possible presidential hopeful in 2016.

Jindal's New Hampshire visit, the first this year for a potential 2016 candidate, was for a fundraiser hosted by the Republican Senate Majority Committee. The event saw people pay as much as $1,000 for a VIP reception. Sponsorship levels were: "Mardi Gras" for $750, "Baton Rouge" for $500 and "New Orleans" for $250.

In his speech, Jindal went after both television stations and Washington pundits for their depiction of the Republican Party since November.

"I wrote an op-ed listing several things we need to do as a party," he said. "I listed seven items, one of those got more attention than anything else. You may have seen, I said basically words to the effect, 'we need to stop being the stupid party,' Everybody paid attention to that, they didn't pay attention to anything else I said."

"What I meant by that, is we've got to present thoughtful policy solutions to the American people."

One of those solutions Jindal said the GOP needs to get behind is education, which he called one of the most fundamental challenges and issues facing the country.

"If you look at the statistics, they're pretty sobering. Right now we're ranked 25th in math, 17th in science, 16th in educational attainment across the entire world. Now think about that. If you're in your 50s, we ranked No. 1 when you were getting your education, in the entire world."

Jindal said that in Louisiana, everything began with a very simple idea – to let the dollars follow the child rather than have the child chase the dollars.

"We fought very hard to pass one of the most comprehensive scholarship programs where our dollars follow the kids," he said in reference to the state's controversial voucher program.

Jindal later slammed the Louisiana Association of Teachers, which opposed the legislation. He said that the teachers' union was "offensive" in saying that parents "don't have a clue" when it comes to the education of their kids.

He added that unions don't understand that education reform is about kids, not adults.

In many states across the country, Jindal said that teachers are rewarded based on "how long they've been breathing" instead of on how well they do in the classroom.

"Can you imagine I go into your small business and told you two things – after three years you're basically not allowed to get rid of any of your employees for any reason. And secondly you've got two employees – one that shows up early, works hard, is productive and stays afterwards, does a great job. Another that does the bare minimum. You've got to pay them the same. How long would you stay in business?"

Jindal also touched on the bigger picture – the need to balance the U.S. budget – noting that on the state level Louisiana was able to slice its budget 26 percent.

"We balance our budget every year, just like you have, and we've cut taxes."

Jindal didn't make any reference to a possible 2016 run in his address. The speech was prefaced by introductions from Senate President Peter Bragdon and Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley.

Bragdon later said that Jindal's message is one that could be appreciated in the Granite State, should Jindal seek election in 2016.

"Certainly his name is thrown about from time to time, it's probably a little early for that," said Bragdon. "But certainly if he chose to run I think he's got the kind of message that will resonate with the people of New Hampshire. It's a message of hope, a message of freedom. He's got a great story, a great personal story (as) the son of immigrants."

State Sen. Jim Rausch (R-Derry), wouldn't speculate on Jindal's future, but did speak to the governor's message.

"I think what he's basically saying is we need to remind ourselves that we're one party, we're not divided, we have to make sure that we stand up for our principles and move forward, I think it's that simple."

Matt Southerton, director of the N.H. Center for Innovative Schools, was happy to hear Jindal talk about charter schools in Louisiana, as well as the governor's enthusiasm for education.

"It was amazing, just considering that you know this last September our state actually instituted a moratorium on public charter schools, to see someone with so much passion and experience, knowing and seeing how kids can change and do better."

Jindal's New Hampshire stop came the same night as an appearance in Iowa from U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), another Republican rumored as a possible presidential candidate in three years.