(CNN) - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is keeping mum about his interest in running for president in 2016, but is speaking out about the Republican Party's direction and will soon find himself with an opportunity to prove his chops as a party leader.
"I got the best job in the world and I'm going to be focused on being governor of this great state for the next three years and being chairman of RGA next year and getting a bunch of great Republican governors elected," he said in an interview with Politico published Tuesday morning.
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Jindal's answer, which the outlet says was a "dodge" to a direct question about a run for president, comes as he prepares to take the helm of the Republican Governors Association. Next year two governorships currently held by Republicans will be on the ballot.
Jindal has been seen for several years as a rising star in the GOP who is well-versed in the policy issues, especially entitlements and spending.
In the interview, he said the GOP needs to "stop being the stupid party" and truly expand its tent.
"It is no secret we had a number of Republicans damage our brand this year with offensive, bizarre comments - enough of that," he said, according to Politico. "It's not going to be the last time anyone says something stupid within our party, but it can't be tolerated within our party. We've also had enough of this dumbed-down conservatism. We need to stop being simplistic, we need to trust the intelligence of the American people and we need to stop insulting the intelligence of the voters."
Jindal initially backed the presidential bid of his western neighbor Gov. Rick Perry, then campaigned for and alongside Mitt Romney.
He was elected to a second term as governor in 2011 and previously was twice elected to the U.S. House. When some speculated he would be a possible vice-presidential candidate, he insisted, "I've got the job that I want."
From CNN Politics
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Brother better beat the rush and get his birth certificate handy. He looks foreign.
Mr. Jingle Bells can't run for President because the requirements are you have to be born in the U.S. or did she really make it back from India just in time for him to be born on U.S. soil. I'm just saying.
Tokenism is alive and well and living side by side with denial in the Fox echo chamber!
Just change the color of he messenger, and leave the message the same, yeah that's the ticket!!!
This guy,JINDAL,better stay quite and help Republican party by Not opening his mouth .
More he talks more he damage to party.He is a NUT job.He is not hopeful,he is hopless.
He can share his seat with Sarah Palin,R-Moneny the loosers on Fox news media.
In the future, America will require sworn statements from 5 eye witnesses to the birth of any candidate for president. Unless the candidate is white, of course. Can Jindal stand up to that kind of scrutiny?
First, we need to see your birth certiificate.
Donald, where are you?
Also, does the GOP really want to bet on a governor of a state that is only 49th in most rankings and not 50th, because of Mississippi?
I would be disappointed if Jindal won't run. I hope either Jindal or Palin will run. This will help me avoid a second thought for whom I will vote.
Jindal/Haley 2016 let the GOP show us they have REALLY evolved.
birth certificate please Priyush?
Please , Big Bird has a better chance at winning the Republican Party's nomination.
We just went through a 5 billon dollar election , can we have a little time to relax !
He really has to consider what is going on in his state and what he could bring to the party if he were to run for the nomination. I am sure that there are some people out there that wouldn't want him because he isn't white.
the repo party might want to run him thinking he is a minority . But the guy is a repo jerk who believes in their policies. So why do we want the same thing again in a different package.? Wake up you dumb repos. Aside from stupid candidates your policies suck. Forward.
not even as a pet groomer...............
For those making claims about his birth certificate, its the same thing as with Obama. He is an American citizen and was born here. Stop being ignorant.
So now we need to trust the intelligence of the American people. We did just that on November 6th with no help from you. How stupid do you think the American people are?
However, at the time of his birth, both of his parents were recent immigrants to the US from India. His mother was three months pregnant when she arrived in Louisiana. So your saying just because he's re-pub it's Okay.
Dear Ignorant,
My point exactly. For 5 years Obama was hammered about his. Just ask The Donald. What goes around – comes around!
Gov Bobby Jindal can serve as a terrific Governor of Louisiana, or a U.S. Senator from Louisiana, but he is not constitutionally eligible for the office of President and Commander of the Military, or the office of Vice President. Read This
THE LAW OF NATIONS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL LAW 1758. Plan and simple he can't run for this great nation.......
true blue, I'm saying it is a right of any American-born citizen to run for President. Pres. Obama was born in this country. Gov. Jindal is born in this country. Why is everyone making such a big deal about it? Regardless of race, everyone should be given the same rights as a citizen.
Ignorant
For those making claims about his birth certificate, its the same thing as with Obama. He is an American citizen and was born here. Stop being ignorant.
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sorry but we don't believe you. We're sending Donald Trump over to India to investigate and Sheriff Gin Blossom Araipo is going with him.
The Law of Nations on the Principles of Natural Law 1758. he can't run
Stay quiet. There's a little peace on earth, when politicians keep their mouth shut.
Offensive, bizzare comments...wonder if he has Bachmann, Steve King, Alan West and Palin on his Christmas card mailing list?
Jindal is a republican with no new ideas. It's the same old "all blow and no show" from these neo cons. They are more and more demonstrating all the values of neo fascism.