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Jindal Now Targeted by National Mainstream Media
Between the Lines weblog ^ | November 30, 2008 | Jeffrey D. Sadow

Posted on 12/02/2008 5:05:53 AM PST by Wonder Warthog

Wonder why the media have been looking at Republican presidential contenders for three years, 11 months from now, and paying quite a bit of attention to Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal? The push on to make him the frontrunner way in advance has more to do with the left’s agenda than covering a good horse race.

Ever since Jindal succumbed to the electoral politics bug, liberals have recognized the danger he presents to their agenda. Jindal does not apologize for his conservatism but neither does he come off as much of an ideologue; he articulates it well both at a philosophical level but also in terms that demonstrate its superiority to the typical citizen; and, worst of all from the liberal perspective, his life to date explodes the myths of racism and upper-class warfare that liberals desperately want to con Americans into thinking, particularly when it comes to conservatives and Republicans.

The only missing ingredient that could make Jindal a virulent political force against liberalism, now with its most complete control over policy-making at the federal level in history, is a sustained record of success in governance. A candidate with this quality not only would win a decision in 2012 over president-elect Barack Obama, given that Obama appears at this point not be to wavering from his stated agenda, but would score a Reaganesque knockout of Democrats and liberals.

Smart liberals know two things, that if they really do try to implement their agenda they are going to make quite a mess of things principally economically, and that they cannot allow conservative candidates with credibility who effectively communicate the flaws and internal contradictions of liberalism contrasted to conservatism to emerge to point out the problems the undiluted Obama agenda is sure to bring. As things go sour on many fronts, they have to be able to distort and to distract to deflect the public from making this realization.

If Jindal can establish a good governing record to go along with superior communication, liberals lose. They can’t do much about the communication aspect, but they can try to frame Jindal’s record. And this is where the media, who will provide many willing, if not eager, allies, can come into play.

By focusing on Jindal now, they want to be there every step of the way to control the public’s image of him. This is a longer-term version of the tactic utilized against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the wake of her vice presidential nomination, where because of the compressed nature of the campaign quicker hits with less time for rebuttal from forces outside of the media made her easier prey. With Jindal, they want to be able to spot episodes that potentially can be exploitable to damage Jindal’s credibility, and only through constant monitoring can this be maximized.

History shows that the presumed “frontrunners” in presidential nomination contests often fare poorly, precisely because there is so much attention paid to them that any warts discovered can be emphasized time and time again to fatigue potential supporters. Worse for Jindal, that he is an ethnic minority member and conservative invites, if history is any guide, even more media scrutiny and criticism (such as that paid to another potential GOP presidential candidate of the future, former Ohio Sec. of State Ken Blackwell).

So let’s recognize this mainstream media attention for what it is for many: the opening salvo of a national campaign that hopes to neutralize Jindal as a force to be reckoned with in 2012. Whether he will be able to resist that will depend in part on his political skills, and some may be fortune simply beyond his control. Regardless, the battle is commenced.


TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: 2012electionbias; abuseofpower; dnctalkingpoints; howtostealanelection; jindal; media; partisanpress; stalinisttactics; yellowjournalism; zogbyism
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To: Wonder Warthog

They distroyed George Allen.


21 posted on 12/02/2008 6:39:16 AM PST by CPT Clay (Drill ANWR, Personal Accounts NOW ,)
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To: VA_Gentleman
"Is there a Jindal ping list? If so, someone add me please. He’s the GOP’s best (only) hope for 2012."

If the GOP (or Jindal) was REALLY bright, they (or he) would be making a deal with Sarah Palin NOW to run as a "ticket" of Jindal/Palin. Jindal is the better qualified, but Palin exudes charisma. The combo would be the liberals nightmare.

22 posted on 12/02/2008 6:47:16 AM PST by Wonder Warthog ( The Hog of Steel)
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To: Red Badger

“The only missing ingredient that could make Jindal a virulent political force against liberalism, now with its most complete control over policy-making at the federal level in history, is a sustained record of success in governance.”

Not an obstacle for BO, of course.


23 posted on 12/02/2008 7:07:02 AM PST by Magic Fingers
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To: Magic Fingers
And why is this not a plus for Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, too?..........
24 posted on 12/02/2008 7:09:16 AM PST by Red Badger (Never has a man risen so far, so fast and is expected to do so much, for so many, with so little...)
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To: Wonder Warthog

Jindal is the left’s nightmare because he’s not a stuffy old white guy and he’s smarter, younger, more thoughtful, more qualified and more likeable than Obama.

It’s not surprising the MSM wants to tear him down early. However, being that Jindal is has a higher IQ than all the MSM heads put together, he’ll manuever around them quite nicely for the next 4 years.


25 posted on 12/02/2008 7:14:19 AM PST by JenB987
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To: JenB987
"However, being that Jindal is has a higher IQ than all the MSM heads put together, he’ll manuever around them quite nicely for the next 4 years."

Actually, I'm of the opinion that if you killed off all the MSM talking heads, that the collective IQ of the US would rise substantially.

26 posted on 12/02/2008 7:45:26 AM PST by Wonder Warthog ( The Hog of Steel)
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To: Wonder Warthog

I can’t argue with that!


27 posted on 12/02/2008 7:46:24 AM PST by JenB987
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To: Wonder Warthog

I guess this means Jindal has officaily arived.


28 posted on 12/02/2008 7:47:11 AM PST by lnzog (They want your money)
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To: Wonder Warthog
Jindal is the better qualified...

How so?

29 posted on 12/02/2008 7:53:28 AM PST by numberonepal (Don't Even Think About Treading On Me)
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To: CPT Clay
"They distroyed George Allen."

Yes, and they destroyed Rick Santorum. Couldn't be elected dog catcher in his hometown once the local TV and newspapers worked on him daily for 4 yrs. The amazing part is how popular he was before that with Reagan Democrats in W PA. The media, and Soros, Heinz, et.al., turned him into someone unrecognizable with the propaganda machine they control. They'll do the same to Palin and Jindal long before '12 arrives.

30 posted on 12/02/2008 7:55:49 AM PST by penowa
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To: Wonder Warthog
Jindal Now Targeted by National Mainstream Media

This comes as no surprise.

The Communist/Marxist/Leninist/Liberal/Socialist/Progressive MSM will attempt to destroy every Conservative Republican.

The MSM is the lying propaganda machine of the Democrat party. They are proud of the way they have destroyed Geo W Bush.

They will now attempt to destroy all Conservative Republicans so that none win in any 2010 or 2012 elections.

It is war! Conservative Republicans need to take back our party.

31 posted on 12/02/2008 7:59:06 AM PST by Dustbunny (Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged. The Gipper)
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To: numberonepal
"How so? "

Much higher level of accomplishment at all levels throughout his career. Academic, private sector, government department head, Congressman, and now governor. His performance this past year during the hurricane onslaught on Louisiana was exceptional from a real leadership standpoint. I like Palin a lot, but her record doesn't begin to match Jindal's.

32 posted on 12/02/2008 8:17:29 AM PST by Wonder Warthog ( The Hog of Steel)
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To: Wonder Warthog
Oh I see because he has more government experience he's better qualified. Gotcha.
33 posted on 12/02/2008 8:20:51 AM PST by numberonepal (Don't Even Think About Treading On Me)
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To: numberonepal
"Oh I see because he has more government experience he's better qualified. Gotcha."

No. Because the level of accomplishment exhibited in ALL the things he has done have been better. Palin just doesn't compare (for that matter, neither does McCain). The one past candidate who I think comes close to matching Jindal's record is Romney, and he is far less conservative.

34 posted on 12/02/2008 8:40:52 AM PST by Wonder Warthog ( The Hog of Steel)
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To: Wonder Warthog
Depends on how they end up defining "natural born citizen" whether he will qualify to be POTUS.

Jindal's parents were not U.S. citizens when he was born. He is a citizen by birth. If the Supreme Count bothers to determine Obama's status, we should have a heads up on Jindal's qualifications.

Read Defining Natural-Born Citizen by P.A. Madison before dismissing this.

35 posted on 12/02/2008 8:52:11 AM PST by christie
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To: Wonder Warthog

What exactly is Jindal’s citizen/natural born status?


36 posted on 12/02/2008 9:25:31 AM PST by little jeremiah (Leave illusion, come to the truth. Leave the darkness, come to the light.)
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I really need to read to the end of the threads before asking questions that are already answered or discussed.


37 posted on 12/02/2008 9:26:09 AM PST by little jeremiah (Leave illusion, come to the truth. Leave the darkness, come to the light.)
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To: christie; little jeremiah

There are no surprises about Jindal’s “natural born citizen” status. He was definitely born in Baton Rouge, and thus qualifies.


38 posted on 12/02/2008 9:39:41 AM PST by Wonder Warthog ( The Hog of Steel)
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To: Wonder Warthog

Bump, for the see I told you so naysayers...


39 posted on 12/02/2008 9:39:56 AM PST by stevie_d_64
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To: deport
. . .the economy turns around and the country is on the upswing and nothing major happens around the world.

Hee, hee, hee, ha, ha, ha, ho, ho, ha, ha, ha. . . .

40 posted on 12/02/2008 9:58:16 AM PST by MSSC6644 (Defeat Satan. Pray the Rosary)
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