Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal heads to the state that kicks off the presidential primary season.

(CNN) — Bobby Jindal's in Iowa today. Louisiana's Governor will make a stop in Cedar Rapids to tour some of the damage from devastating floods earlier this year. He'll also participate in a fundraiser with some of the victims from the flooding. Tonight Jindal heads to Des Moines, where he's the keynote speaker at a fundraising dinner for the Iowa Family Policy Center's "Celebrating the Family" banquet, a major Christian conservative event.

Jindal's considered by many in the Republican party to be a rising star and his trip to Iowa, the state that kicks off the presidential primary season, is raising speculation that he might be interested in making a bid for the Republican Presidential Nomination in 2012. But Jindal says such talk is misplaced and that he has no plans to make a run for the White House.

Jindal was a Congressman from Louisiana's first congressional district when he was elected the state's governor in 2007. At 36, he became the youngest current governor in the country. Jindal was born in Louisiana to parents who immigrated from India.

There was speculation this past summer that Jindal was, among others, in consideration for the Republican vice presidential nomination. In late July Jindal squashed such talk, saying he would not be the GOP vice presidential nominee. John McCain eventually picked another GOP governor, Sarah Palin of Alaska, as his running mate.

Jindal may skip the GOP convention.

(CNN) – Hurricane Gustav, currently moving toward the Gulf of Mexico, may force Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal to skip next week’s Republican Convention.

Three years to the week since Hurricane Katrina battered the Louisiana coast, some forecast models suggest the storm could pose another threat to the state next week.

Jindal, reported to be on John McCain's shortlist for VP, told reporters in Baton Rouge Tuesday afternoon he will not go to St Paul if the storm continues to move in a northwesterly track toward his state.

Considered to be a rising star in the Republican Party, Jindal is scheduled to deliver a high-profile address in prime time at the convention next Wednesday. But he said, “My first priority is with the state of Louisiana. Certainly if the storm continues to come our way, I’ll change my travel plans.”

Louisiana officials along with local and federal authorities face criticism for their preparation and response to Katrina in 2005, before Jindal was in office. He said his would make sure he was in place ahead of the storm’s potential arrival, saying, “Days before the storm, we’ll make sure that we and our local partners are fully prepared.”

Jindal said Wednesday he will not be McCain's VP.

(CNN) — Has Bobby Jindal ruled out being John McCain's running mate?

One day after it was revealed the presumptive Republican presidential candidate was slated to hold a closed-door meeting with the 37-year old governor, Jindal told Fox News there is no way he will fill the bottom half of the GOP presidential ticket.

CNN's Political Market: Jindal's stock goes down

"I'm not going to be the vice presidential nominee or vice president," Jindal said. "I'm going to help Senator McCain get elected, as governor of Louisiana."

"Let me be clear: I have said in every private and public conversation, I've got the job that I want," Jindal also said.

It's not uncommon for those being considered for a slot on the presidential ticket to deny interest in the position, but Jindal's blanket statement is notable, especially in light of the fact he is widely considered to be on McCain's shortlist. It also came the day the two men were scheduled to sit down at a private meeting the McCain campaign refused to discuss. On Wednesday afternoon, the meeting was postponed due to weather.

GOP sources also tell CNN Jindal is being considered for the keynote address slot at the Republican Convention.

Earlier: VP buzz rises around Jindal

Widely considered a rising star in his party, VP speculation first swirled around Jindal earlier this summer when he was one of a handful of politicians McCain invited to his Sedona, Arizona ranch. The long weekend was described as purely social, though former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist — two other Republicans considered to be top vice presidential possibilities — were also in attendance.

Jindal has been lauded by several conservatives wary of John McCain, including talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh. But the decision would undercut one of the Arizona senator's chief arguments against Obama: his relative lack of experience. The Louisiana governor is nearly 10 years younger than the Democratic presidential candidate.

Watch: Jindal talks politics

CNN’s Candy Crowley interviews Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Sunday.

Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-Louisiana, told CNN's Candy Crowley on Sunday that he thinks John McCain has to be more proactive in his dialogue on domestic issues if he wants to win the White House.

While the Arizona senator scores well on issues related to foreign policy and national security, recent polls show that Barack Obama leads McCain on economic matters.

When asked how the presumptive Republican nominee can overcome this hurdle, Jindal suggested that McCain needs to overtly emphasize his policy differences with those of the presumptive Democratic nominee.

“Senator McCain has to talk more proactively about his views on domestic issues, how he contrasts with Senator Obama,” the governor said on Late Edition.

Highlighting McCain’s positions on health care, taxes, and a “robust national energy policy,” Jindal said: “I think the majority of the American people agree with Senator McCain’s positions, but he needs to draw that contrast so people can see the difference.”

The nation’s youngest governor, Jindal has often been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate. He is a staunch social conservative who could possibly offset any reservations Republicans have about McCain’s conservative credentials.

Bobby Jindal and his wife Supriya campaign after casting their votes in Louisiana's governor's race.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Second chances don’t come around that often in life. But Bobby Jindal’s getting one Saturday.

Jindal’s a Republican congressman from Louisiana. Four years ago he lost an extremely close governor’s race to Democrat Kathleen Blanco.

On Saturday, however, the three term congressman is expected come out on top in Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary election.

Blanco’s not running for re-election. Her political fortunes were greatly damaged by both the state and federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina. Blanco announced earlier this year that she was dropping out.

Jindal, the Oxford-educated son of Indian immigrants, is far ahead of his eleven rival candidates, and the only question is whether he’ll win 50 percent of the vote and avoid a runoff election.

Louisiana does things a bit differently when it comes to holding elections. Candidates of all parties compete in an October primary, and if no one wins 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates face off in a November runoff.

– CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser