Last Tuesday, when Barrack Obama addressed the nation in a joint session of Congress, there was a thundering applause all over. For every point he made, there was a standing ovation – so much so that he made his point clear time and again, that “We are not quitters” and that “We will build America”

Here is the transcript of his speech – courtesy New York Times

Immediately after Obama’s speech, the Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was asked to give a Republican Response. I had waited eagerly for Obama’s speech skipping my regular duties at India Special and when I came to know that Bobby Jindal, a second generation Indian American was asked to give the official response, I could not switch my TV off, for I had already formed an opinion about him, however misinformed that I was

As I watched eagerly, Bobby Jindal quietly and very strategically ripped apart Obama’s plan to rebuild America as a wasteful spending. While he criticized Obama’s plans, he also acknowledged that Obama was one of the most gifted speakers of this generation. Bobby Jindal however has his inhibitions about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. You can read the complete transcript of Jindal’s speech here

Part of his response that caught my attention was when he said

Republicans are ready to work with the new president to provide those solutions. Here in my state of Louisiana, we don’t care what party you belong to, if you have good ideas to make life better for our people. We need more of that attitude from both Democrats and Republicans in our nation’s capital. All of us want our economy to recover and our nation to prosper. So where we agree, Republicans must be the president’s strongest partners. And where we disagree, Republicans have a responsibility to be candid and offer better ideas for a path forward.

He further narrates a story and says

The strength of America is not found in our government. It is found in the compassionate hearts and the enterprising spirit of our citizens. We are grateful for the support we have received from across the nation for the ongoing recovery efforts. This spirit got Louisiana through the hurricanes and this spirit will get our nation through the storms we face today.

He further went on to decline the stimulus money that was offered to him in order to have his state back on track. He had a valid point – He did not want his next generations to be in debt and hence rejected the offer.

As I listened to him further, and I started comparing him to Obama, the first thing that occurred to me was that here is a politician who has a similar background as Obama (African American vs Indian American), speaks well, has proven himself in the state of Louisiana et al and has support of many Republicans. Will he become Republican party’s strongest contender in the 2012 elections or will Mitt Romney scrape through?

Whatever I’ve heard of Bobby Jindal, he sure seems promising. He is young, energetic and convincing. If he can turn around a Katrina hit Louisiana, he certainly has it in him to be the President of United States.

I am neither a Democrat follower nor a Republican enthusiast. I like Obama for his speech, his energy, and passion – I wish he succeeds in his plans to rebuild America. If he doesn’t, then 2012 will be an incredible test for him and Bobby Jindal will surely give him a run for his money.

For all you know, after an African American, it might be the turn of an Indian American to be the President of United States of America. Certainly, a moment to cherish for Indians, if it comes true.

Time will only answer!

Image Credit: Wiki Media

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