White House Jumps On Jindal Interview

Real Clear Politics ^ | September 30, 2009 | Mike Memoli

[McGruff]

Press secretary Robert Gibbs, facing questions about the White House's outreach to Republicans on health care, cited a new interview with Bobby Jindal in proposing that the Republicans need to show greater comment to bipartisanship.

"I saw one of the more popular governors, Republican governors, Bobby Jindal, say today that it was time for Republicans to offer what they're for, not just talk about what they're against," he said. "So, look, the president is happy to and will meet with Republicans."

Gibbs noted that this was the same Jindal who the Republican National Committee put forward to deliver the response to the president's first joint session address to Congress, and said he hopes the House GOP leadership will listen to him now.

Here's what Jindal actually told Politico in an interview:

"I think now is the perfect time to pivot and to say, not only here's what we're against, and not only here's how we're going to contrast ourselves, but here's what we're for."

[McGruff]

I'll comment later.

[silverleaf]

When did Jindal decide to become a tool?

[ClearCase_guy]

The White House is deeply dishomnest about ... well, everything. Republicans have been putting forth ideas and saying what they are in favor of since the beginning.

[McGruff]

For anyone to say that Republicans haven't offered a plan is a lie. House Republicans Offer Health Care Plan - June 17, 2009

[goodwithagun]

I don’t think he is a tool for what he said. Jindal said it’s time for Repubs to make a stand about what they are for, not just make a stand against obama. Gibbs has twisted the meaning of Jindal’s statement. Gibbs is the tool, but you probably already know that.

[albie]

I can’t believe I once posted “Jindal/Palin 2012”! This little gnome is going down the “compassionate conservative” BS trail.

[comebacknewt]

Jindal = Useful Idiot

[blueyon]

Not the job of the white house to go on the attack against fellow citizens (jindal, beck, tea baggers, foxnews).
Very UN presidential

[McGruff]

"I think now is the perfect time to pivot and to say, not only here's what we're against, and not only here's how we're going to contrast ourselves, but here's what we're for."

Governor Jindal. Were you aware of this? Health Care - GOP Solutions for America - GOP.gov

• House GOP Health Care Solutions Group Plan (Unveiled June 17, 2009)
• Empowering Patients First Act (Republican Study Group Health Care Reform Bill, unveiled July 30, 2009)
• Improving Health Care for All Americans Act (Shadegg Health Care Reform Bill, introduced July 14, 2009)
• Patients’ Choice Act (Ryan-Nunes Health Care Reform Bill, introduced May 20, 2009)
• Medical Rights & Reform Act (Kirk-Dent Health Care Reform Bill, introduced June 16, 2009)
• Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act (Gingrey medical liability reform bill, introduced June 6, 2009)
• Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2009 (Johnson small business health plans bill, introduced May 21, 2009)
• 31 Common-Sense Changes Republicans Offered to Improve Democrats’ Health Care Bill (GOP Leader Alert, July 28, 2009)
• House Republican Leaders’ Letter to President Obama [PDF] Outlining Areas for Common Ground on Health Care Reform (May 13, 2009)

[goodwithagun]

Okay, maybe I’m interpreting Jindal’s comments incorrectly. I interpret it as: obama, pelosi, reed, et al. have made a stand for what they believe in. Now they are backed into a corner by us, the citizens of this great country. Since we the people don’t like what the Dems have done, it is the perfect time to pivot. It is the perfect time to stop talking and start doing. I think Jindal is saying that we not only need to oppose what is happening to our country, but to also make a stand as to what the Republican party is actually for. We know what the db’s in Congress stand for, so let’s make it very plain what the Republicans stand for. I don’t think the Republican party has made it very clear what they stand for. They (not all of them though) have only made it clear that they are against obama.

[Unam Sanctam]

Now is the time to act as a real OPPOSITION PARTY, not to engage in bipartisanship. What is wrong with Jindal?

[libsrscum]

Good comments. The Republican party needs to show its bipartisanship with THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, not the dems and zero.

[9YearLurker]

I’m with you, silverleaf—Jindal entered tool territory here.

Republican pols are as bad as some Freepers, trying to aim their fire at other Pubbies rather than advancing a more conservative message. I don’t think it’s totally unrelated to Obama’s endless apologies for our country, either.

In our current confessional, relativistic culture, confession of sins is becoming de rigueur before the enlightened can criticize others. Except, for ambitious and egotistical pols, it’s too hard to fathom actually confessing one’s own sins—so they jump out there confessing the sins of others within one’s own supposed tribe.

[McGruff]

For me the keyword is now. Jindal makes is sound like we don't have a plan now.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. applauds at right as fellow House Republicans hold up their health care proposals, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington, during President Barack Obama's speech on healthcare before a joint session of Congress. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb. is second from right.

[demsux]

Jindel is a wuss...Sarah is tougher than him

[sport]

Each time you hear obama, a Democrat, or the alphabet propganda agencies say “lie” think truth.

[St. Louis Conservative]

Gibbs is totally misrepresenting what Jindal said.

[jwparkerjr]

The sad thing is he could have just as easily cited the proposals that have been put forth by Republicans and then made some statement about working together. He needs to know how effortlessly the Left/MSM will spin anything a ‘leader’ of our party says.

It's time for someone who is media savvy to put together a primer for those who must deal with the scourge that is today's MSM. You certainly can't deal with these people as you would the journalist of yesteryear. It's like having a cute little Teacup Terrier at home and encountering someone with a pit bull and feeling you can treat the strange dog as you do your pet.

For some reason I have never been comfortable with Jidal. I have that vaguely uneasy feeling a number of politicians who are touted as possible contenders for the Republican 2012 presidential run. In fairness I must confess I've been blinded by the glow of Sarah Palin, and every other possibility pales in comparison with her.

[Piquaboy]

It might not be their job, but the black house consists of a bunch of juveniles who are brain dead.

[SueRae]

I saw Bobby Jindahl on Fox the other night enumerating each of the Republican ideas for healthcare..and tort reform was certainly discussed. The WH and Pelosi keep saying that the Republicans have not offered any alternatives...but, as we know, they LIE.

I like Jindahl, he definitely has a role to play in the coming months and years.