Despite his assurances that he “has the job he wants,” Gov. Bobby Jindal has made a FOX News list of possible 2012 Republican presidential contenders.
Jindal was featured on the cable news network’s “12 in 2012” series, which profiles 12 Republicans who might challenge President Barack Obama in the next election.
Jindal joins a list of GOP elite, including Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
The network’s website keeps a running list of each politician’s profile, including their political experience, age, family status and political strengths and weaknesses.
The site also gives “odds” for each candidate earning the party nomination. It gives Jindal 18 to 1 odds — slim chances compared to other candidates.
The website cites Jindal’s conservative credentials and “policy wonk” political identity as evidence he could compete for the nation’s highest office.
“Jindal has the conservative bona fide to excite the party’s base and a track record to impress skeptics,” the site says. “He has been an effective reformer at the state and national levels and has built a strong track record on spending and ethics reform in Baton Rouge.”
The site came down hard, however, on Jindal’s infamous flubbed speech in response to Obama’s 2009 State of the Union address.
“Jindal won back a lot of that ground in his performance under fire during the BP oil mess, but it will be hard for him to convince Republicans that he can really share the stage with Obama in a debate without looking like he is out of his league,” the site says.
The site also mentions that Jindal largely withdrew from the national race after the speech.
Jindal has routinely maintained that his priority is running for gubernatorial re-election, not for president.
Jindal has been criticized recently for taking out-of-state trips to influential political locations. Student Government President J Hudson made national headlines for a letter he sent to newspapers where Jindal traveled, begging him to return to Louisiana and deal with state funding cuts to higher education.
Today also marks the release of Jindal’s new book, “Leadership in Crisis.” Initial reviews indicate Jindal spends much of the book criticizing Obama and the national media.
 
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Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]