Is Bobby Jindal back from the hinterlands?

Political fortunes can turn on a dime. Perhaps Bobby Jindal's political fortunes are on the rise due to his recent speech in which he criticized the Federal governments response to the Gulf oil spill.

Back in February of 2009, Jindal was tapped to give the Republican response to Obama's State of the Union speech. After his response Jindal was widely criticized, even by Republicans, for a poor delivery lacking in gravitas. The most memorable reaction probably came from an open-mic Chris Matthews as Jindal began his speech. In roughly six-minutes, Jindal went from presidential contender to political lightweight. But if this speech is a sign of things to come from Jindal, he may very well become a force to be reckoned with.



Related articles:

• Time: 'Is Bobby Jindal Making Sense?' (newsbusters.org)
• Is Jindal Looking to 2012? (frumforum.com)
• Did Bobby Jindal reinvent himself during gulf oil spill (examiner.com)
• Poll: Louisiana Loves Bobby Jindal - And Offshore Drilling (talkingpointsmemo.com)

Carville still unhappy with Obama

Carville continues to vent his frustration at the White House. This time he is angry about the drilling moratorium and the effect it will have on the economy.

Federal Gov't Halts Sand Berm Dredging

NEW ORLEANS -- The federal government is shutting down the dredging that was being done to create protective sand berms in the Gulf of Mexico. Continue>> 

Only 20 skimmers deployed to Florida because they might be needed elsewhere

The oil spill cleanup continues to be horribly mismanaged. According to Florida Senator George LeMieux, America has 2,000 oil skimmers, so far only 20 have been deployed to the coast of Florida. The Obama administration also continues to reject foreign assistance.

Focus group unimpressed with Obama's speech

This is one of the most animated focus groups I've seen conducted by Frank Luntz. Luntz's usual even-tempered demeanor gave way to visible frustration.

Obama's speech fails to 'wow'

Obama's oil speech seems to have disappointed everyone. Including his usual boosters. These were the headlines at Obama friendly HuffPo and Salon:

• Junk Shot - Huffington Post
• Just words: Obama's Oval Office speech fizzles - Salon.com

Even MSNBC's Olbermann and Matthews had some scathing words of cristicism for the the President with these comments (among others):

Matthews: “I don’t sense executive command.”

Olbermann: "I don't think he aimed low, I don't think he aimed at all. It's startling."

More from the "Ragin' Cajun", James Carville

James Carville, a loyal and high-profile Democrat, has been very outspoken and critical of the Obama administration's handling of The Gulf oil spill. First, he blew a gusher on GMA with George Stephanopoulos - and now he continues to go off at CNN.

Breakout the fiddle

There is so much happening these days with the Gulf oil spill, heightened tensions in Korea, the Middle East and record unemployment. If the current occupant of the White House were say, I don't know, a republican - I think they would be accused of being out-of-touch and insensitive to the plight of ordinary Americans if they continued to throw lavish White House parties. But those rules just don't apply to some.



In fact, the MSM will celebrate in their own special way.

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And remember, for good measure, always throw-in the obligatory kick in the shin to George Bush.

Ouch!

This is a pretty powerful piece of video criticizing the President. What gives it a political punch is the criticism leveled by prominent Democrats and Obama supporters.

James Carville blows a gusher

Ardent Democrat and Obama booster, James Carville, blows a verbal gusher all over the President for his handling of the oil spill. Notice how quickly George Stephanopoulos steps in to change the subject and plug the hole. But that still didn't stop Carville from taking one last jab at Obama.



UPDATE: Peggy Noonan had some thoughts about the signifance of Carville's comments in her Op-ed piece:

"What continues to fascinate me is Mr. Obama's standing with Democrats. They don't love him. Half the party voted for Hillary Clinton, and her people have never fully reconciled themselves to him. But he is what they have. They are invested in him. In time—after the 2010 elections go badly—they are going to start to peel off. The political operative James Carville, the most vocal and influential of the president's Gulf critics, signaled to Democrats this week that they can start to peel off. He did it through the passion of his denunciations."