Gov. Bobby Jindal’s response to President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night drew harsh responses from critics on the left and right — with many concluding it was a botched introduction of one of the Republican Party’s most promising future leaders and potential presidential candidate. But the speech’s hostile rhetoric toward federal government intervention and the stimulus has also drawn the ire of state and local lawmakers — a tarnish to Jindal’s reputation at home and possibly emboldening the state Legislature.The style of Jindal’s speech was “not as disturbing as the substance,” said Robert Mann, political communication professor and former communications director for Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Mann said the speech was “void of any kind of imagination” and intellectually dishonest.In the speech, Jindal criticized “dependence on government” to solve the nation’s economic problems, a message Mann said is hypocritical given Louisiana’s reliance on federal aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the incoming funds from the recently signed stimulus package. “If [the stimulus] is generational theft, he needs to have the courage to tell the federal government to take a hike,” Mann said. Jindal recently decided to reject $98 million in stimulus money aimed at expanding unemployment benefits, claiming the money would force Louisiana to change a law that would eventually result in higher taxes for businesses once the federal money was gone. But the state is still slated to receive billions from the stimulus — and Mann said Jindal’s rejection of the relatively small amount aimed at unemployment benefits is a largely symbolic gesture, “red meat,” for the GOP base. Jindal’s refusal of the unemployment funds, and his hostility toward the stimulus package, highlighted during his speech Tuesday, has invited criticism at home. Some local lawmakers and political opponents have spoken out against the governor’s decision to reject stimulus funds.”Bobby Jindal needs to focus on the needs of Louisiana, not his political ambitions,” said Scott Jordan, spokesman for the Louisiana Democratic Party. Jindal’s speech wasn’t without its defenders.  “All Bobby Jindal did was tell us what conservatism is; he used his own life story to do it; he talked about the American people making the country work.  He had it all,” said Rush Limbaugh, nationally-recognized conservative radio host.  Limbaugh emphasized Jindal’s conservative credentials, dismissed the stylistic criticisms of the speech and said the chief critics were Democratic partisans.  “The Governor told us tonight that ‘the strength of America is not found in our government. It is found in the compassionate hearts and enterprising spirit of Americans.’ I could not have said it better myself,” said Roger Villere, chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, in a statement. More than lawmakers are concerned about the stimulus money.  Chancellor Michael Martin watched the stimulus debate closely, hoping the bill would provide significant funds for higher education.Martin’s impression of the bill overall was “OK,” saying he was pleased about the “generous” measure for students, like increasing Pell grants, but that he would have “loved to see more investment in higher education.” As for Jindal’s refusal to accept stimulus money, Martin said he is waiting to see more specifics, like the final size of budget cuts, before he makes a judgment — but until then, Martin said he’s willing to give Jindal the benefit of the doubt. Mann said the politics of the stimulus are tricky for Jindal — turning down more of the federal dollars would likely result in action by the Legislature to override Jindal, while not speaking out against the massive federal spending bill could cost Jindal credibility nationally.Mann said the speech set back Jindal’s national reputation and has made him “less intimidating” to the state Legislature.”There was already blood in the water from the pay raise issue,” Mann said. “There’s even more now.” But Mann said if Jindal can admit to screwing up the content and delivery of his speech — as well as demonstrate a capacity for humorous self-deprecation — Jindal can limit the fallout from his ill-received address. “We’re going to find out if he can take a punch,” Mann said.  —-Contact Nate Monroe at [email protected]