It’s been a quiet summer for Gov. Bobby Jindal on the national stage, and at least one political observer says that’s a blessing for Jindal.The summer was not kind to several national Republicans, most of whom were once considered future presidential candidates.First, former Republican governor of Utah, Jon Huntsman, accepted President Barack Obama’s nomination to become the United States Ambassador to China, threatening any plans to run as a Republican in the near future.Then Nevada Sen. John Ensign admitted in June to having an affair last year with a female member of his campaign staff.Weeks later, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s disappearance led to revelations of an affair of his own with a woman from Argentina.Finally, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced she would resign her position as governor, effective July 26. Palin’s decision, though, did have defenders.Kirby Goidel, political science and mass communication professor and senior public policy fellow at the Reilly Center, said Jindal’s laying low improved his position by default.”He’s benefited by not doing himself any harm,” Goidel said.A straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference, conducted four days after Jindal’s much-derided speech in February, indicated Jindal’s solid popularity with the conservative base.Jindal placed second, behind Mitt Romney and ahead of other high-profile Republicans like Palin, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former House speaker Newt Gingrich.And with health care, an issue with which Jindal has experience, at the front and center of national debate, Goidel said there’s “little question he’ll be on the stage nationally.”With a still-suffering economy, Goidel said challenges remain for Jindal.”In a difficult economic time, you have to be flexible,” he said.STUDENT OPINIONS REMAIN HIGH A poll conducted by Public Policy Polling in July — the most recent poll — pegged Jindal’s approval rating among Louisianians at 55 percent. Opinion varies about Jindal on campus, though it’s not hard to find generally positive attitudes about the job he’s done.David Goldsmith, civil engineering freshman, said while he has some specific complaints with how Jindal handled the budget cuts, he approves overall — an opinion, he said, improved after Jindal effectively managed Hurricane Gustav.”I think he’s making Louisiana better,” Goldsmith said.Warren Gallaspy, kinesiology freshman, also approved of how Jindal handled Gustav and said Jindal’s public speaking suffers from his intelligence.”He’s too smart for his own good, which is a good thing, and he has to oversimplify his speeches,” Gallaspy said.Meghann Green, fashion merchandising junior, said she’s been slightly disappointed with Jindal.”All the hype got to him,” she said, adding she still likes him and is not in the “anti-Jindal” camp.Kurlan Barbosa, petroleum engineering senior, said he liked Jindal when he was running for governor, but some of Jindal’s actions since his election victory have “shown his inexperience.”And for Barbosa, a quiet summer wasn’t a plus.”He’s disappeared,” Barbosa said.–Contact Nate Monroe at [email protected]