Jindal the Believer

If Bobby Jindal runs for president in 2012, he will almost certainly be attacked by the left for his beliefs on abortion, stem cell research and the idea of teaching creationism in public schools. So be it. With 76.9 million Catholics in the U.S. Jindal can easily explain his beliefs as in keeping with his Catholic faith, as not based on religious extremism, as in keeping with the beliefs of the majority of American Christians. He can express these beliefs, but the message should not be that he will attempt to impose them of government policy; remember, a true Republican believes in the sovereignty of the states. Small government is less intrusive government.

I realize that these issues are more complicated than the simple assertion that abortion, for instance, is a state issue. But what Jindal will have to do, through the MSM and the Internet, is keep the message simple and the responses to the left short and consistent: "As a Republican..." and "As a Catholic..."

In defending his beliefs, Governor Jindal will have to embrace not only the right leaning websites such as Townhall, but also the left leaning websites not traditionally courted by Republican candidates. Sites like the Huffington Post will have to be given the highest level of access to the campaign and the candidate. Jindal will have to show that he has nothing to hide and he is not ashamed of his religious beliefs or his philosophy on the role of the federal government.