Michelle Malkin » Bobby Jindal and the expectations game; plus: which MSNBC host said “Oh, god?”

Bobby Jindal and the expectations game; plus: which MSNBC host said “Oh, god?”

By Michelle Malkin • February 24, 2009 11:06 PM

The cable news talking heads panned Bobby Jindal’s response to Obama tonight.

There were some apparent audio and technical problems. He could have been more specific in his attacks on the porkulus bill, the bailouts, and the coming omnibus spending bill/mortgage entitlement expansion. (Full speech here).

But then, of course, the critics would have accused him of being too wonky.

Can’t win in these situations. The follow-up to an elaborately staged joint session of Congress speech is always going to look diminished. I thought his delivery was fine. And it’s always better to have lowered expectations, anyway. Otherwise, you end up with…the inconquerable hype of the Obamessiah.

Jindal’s strongest moments came at the end of his remarks:

In recent years, these distinctions in philosophy became less clear — because our party got away from its principles. You elected Republicans to champion limited government, fiscal discipline, and personal responsibility. Instead, Republicans went along with earmarks and big government spending in Washington. Republicans lost your trust — and rightly so.

Tonight, on behalf of our leaders in Congress and my fellow Republican governors, I say: Our party is determined to regain your trust. We will do so by standing up for the principles that we share — the principles you elected us to fight for — the principles that built this into the greatest, most prosperous country on earth.

A few weeks ago, the President warned that our nation is facing a crisis that he said ‘we may not be able to reverse.’ Our troubles are real, to be sure. But don’t let anyone tell you that we cannot recover — or that America’s best days are behind her.

This is the nation that cast off the scourge of slavery, overcame the Great Depression, prevailed in two World Wars, won the struggle for civil rights, defeated the Soviet menace, and responded with determined courage to the attacks of September 11, 2001.

The American spirit has triumphed over almost every form of adversity known to man — and the American spirit will triumph again.

We can have confidence in our future — because, amid today’s challenges, we also count many blessings: We have the most innovative citizens –the most abundant resources — the most resilient economy — the most powerful military — and the freest political system in the history of the world.

My fellow citizens, never forget: We are Americans. And like my Dad said years ago, Americans can do anything.

Thank you for listening. God bless you. And God bless America.”

I’ll take Bobby Jindal’s genuine faith in American entrepreneurship over Barack Obama’s fear-mongering-turned-faux Reaganism any day.

His actions and his actual record — reforming his state’s decrepit health care system, fixing higher ed, serving in Congress, tackling entitlement reform, managing natural emergencies, etc. — remain mightily impressive.

***

MSNBC couldn’t stand the sight of Jindal before he had a chance to open his mouth. Before he began his remarks, someone on a hot mic muttered “Oh, God.”

RCP has the video.

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#101

On February 25th, 2009 at 12:18 pm, DanVanSmak said:

Too bad it was a masculine voice, or I would have guessed Rachel Maddow. Every time she bashes the GOP on her show, she looks like she’s turning Japanese. Memo to Rae-Rae: you might want to turn down the voltage on the old electric ear cleaner (and keep Chris Matthews away from it; I bet he’d steal it given the chance).

*out*
#102

On February 25th, 2009 at 12:29 pm, rotarymunkey said:

This morning on one of the Arizona new channels my wife was watching, a female reporter said “… and an Indian gave the GOP response.”

Though sleepy, I just about spit nails at the screen! Bobby Jindal is an American first, and that’s all he considers himself to be. Why is that so difficult for Liberals to understand?

If I was that woman’s producer I would have fired her on the spot.
#103

On February 25th, 2009 at 12:36 pm, Salt said:

On February 25th, 2009 at 12:29 pm, rotarymunkey said:

This morning on one of the Arizona new channels my wife was watching, a female reporter said “… and an Indian gave the GOP response.”
…

If I was that woman’s producer I would have fired her on the spot.

Yes, she forgot the code word. She should have said it was an historic event.

This post-racial racism where any minority politician is immediately identified by his race or ancestry has long past the point of being irritating.
#104

On February 25th, 2009 at 12:51 pm, farmgal said:

I think there should have been a lot more passion and outrage,but it’s like all the Republicans are afraid to touch Obama.Where’s the mention of 9,000 earmarks in his bill of all the executive orders,of marching us towards socialism? What is with these guys,they’re just lukewarm.I think we would have been better off having Rick Santelli speak.
#105

On February 25th, 2009 at 1:02 pm, happyscrapper said:

On February 25th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, rotarymunkey said:
The GOP should have used Gov. Palin for this rebuttal. She’s the Anti-Obama: white, successful, self-made, non-Ivy league, church-going, funny, witty, and actually in charge of something she’s NOT running into the ground

That would have been AWESOME!
#106

On February 25th, 2009 at 1:45 pm, T-Bone said:

On February 25th, 2009 at 12:51 pm, farmgal said:
I think there should have been a lot more passion and outrage,but it’s like all the Republicans are afraid to touch Obama.

I agree but Jindal had to be very careful about what he said. It was the content of his speech that lacked not so much his delivery. He had to hold back because of Obama worship. When Peolosi, Reed, Webb et al did their Bush rebuttals , they were mean, nasty & hard hitting. But they could afford to be because they had the MSM backing them up.

Jindal had to be careful to not appear to be obstructionist and anti Obama because of the widespread adulation of Obama. People don’t like it when you cut their main dude to the quick. You are cutting them as well and they will build a barrier to that response.

He made some good points about Republican values. I wanted to see him hit harder, such as on the no earmarks b.s. that Obama keeps spewing. Depends on your definition of “is”. I would also like to see a counter of the comment that Dems love about inheriting Bushs recession. Bush inherited Clintons recession and didn’t whine about it like a little baby. Also the 8 years of failed policies line. Bush did pretty good for coming into a recession, fighting wars, facing MAJOR natural disasters, and fighting off the MSM and the Democratic haters all the while. In fact, the ecomomy only tanked after Democrats took control of Congress for the last 2 years and Democratic control was forecast for all 3 branches of Government. Maybe people know something.

Anyway, he did not want to appear to be the realist or antagonist at this particular time. He was walking on eggshells. Hopefully, we will bring out the big guns soon though. The Dems have given us a lot of ammunition. Baby steps.
#107

On February 25th, 2009 at 1:59 pm, rightisright said:

We are D O N E if we can’t find someone with some STYLE!

I’d like to know why Gov. Palin wasn’t the Republican answering, got an idea, RNC still run by the Bush’s, Country Club Repubs what ever you want to call them. Palin got McShame even and even a few % points ahead in the race until he decides to close the campaign and fix the economy, the dufus. I have alot of questions about the renewed RNC.
#108

On February 25th, 2009 at 3:12 pm, davidcaskey said:

I think Mathews’ comment was racist. Lets stike.
#109

On February 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pm, nhpatriot said:

I heard someone (was it Rush?) say that he sounded like he was addressing first graders … you know, given the intelligence level of half of the American people (i.e. those who voted for Obama), maybe that was the plan so they might actually understand some of it! Ha!
#110

On February 25th, 2009 at 4:10 pm, amchristian said:

I was really shocked when the Fox News panel rated Mr. Jindal. I was quite impressed and uplifted by Mr. Jindal’s response.

The potshots at his “Simple” way of talking and his “simple” stories was just.. bizarre.. to me. I liked his clarity and I think his example story expressed exactly the idea he meant to express.

Sometimes I wonder if these folks on television are seeing and hearing the same things I see and hear.

Thanks for sticking up for Mr. Jindal, Michelle. You Rock!
#111

On February 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pm, ClassicFilm said:

The snide insults were pre-written against Jindal, just as they were for Palin, intended to be a pre-emptive strike to decimate the validity of their stance against Obama/socialism. Our mainstream media has become the dewy-eyed Love Boat cruise director for the USSR Obama. More Americans, including thinking Democrats, are seeing this hypocrisy for what it is, and the time for a huge backfire is only a short matter of time. Gird your loins…

The insulting of Jindal is an interesting move because while Democrats can’t recklessly spend our tax dollars fast enough, they fear/loath Jindal because he SOUNDS LIKE AN AMERICAN and may have the right mentality & game plan for turning the economy back around. Uh oh, OB may be usurped. Jindal is now a viable contender against The One – it signifies the beginning of their over-reaching to discredit Jindal. Soon, some bitter, overzealous Dem commentator will stupidly and hatefully pull an over-the-top “Imus” against East Indians or Jindal. They just can’t help themselves because the vast majority of them are fire-breathing closet racists.

Jindal was a breath of fresh air, devoid of puffery or pomposity. Just an honorable man who embraces the greatness of America. In America, we CAN do anything… without government meddling or mandates.

I’ve not ever seen Jindal before this speech, and I have more respect and faith in him from just one speech than I do of our president-elect and his tiresome overexposure in the media spotlight.
#112

On February 25th, 2009 at 9:23 pm, nlebou said:

On February 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pm, ClassicFilm said:

Jindal is a breath of fresh air for Louisiana. He is very intelligent, practical, and a true conservative. He is doing a great job. This country would be very lucky to have him as president but I hope he stays here.