Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal kicked off his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination with an anti-Washington message calling for the GOP to present a staunchly conservative alternative to Democrats.
In a speech at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana, the second-term governor and former Congressman argued that his record of reducing the state government workforce and cutting the state budget showed he could succeed in tackling big problems in the federal government.
“The guy in the White House today is a great talker, and we have a bunch of great talkers running for President,” he said. “We’ve had enough of talkers, it’s time for a doer. I’m not running for president to be somebody, I’m running for President to do something.”
Earlier in the day, the second-term governor officially announced his campaign with a Facebook video showing hidden camera footage of Jindal and his wife breaking the news to their three kids and a brief statement on his campaign website.
Jindal is currently coming in last place in a 15-person Republican field, according to the RealClearPolitics average of recent polls. That’s below the important 10-candidate cutoff to appear in upcoming Republican presidential debates.
But his speech was indifferent to these challenges, showing a muscular — if sometimes vague — outreach to conservative voters with calls to reduce the national debt, reform Social Security and Medicare, institute term limits in Congress, repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and secure the border.
Jindal took shots at two frontrunners, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“You’ve heard Jeb Bush say that we need to be willing to lose the primary in order to win the general election — we’re going to help him do that,” he said, referencing Bush’s argument that he would avoid taking stands that might hurt him as nominee. “What Jeb Bush is saying that we need to hide our conservative ideals. But the truth is, if we go down that road again, we will lose again.”
He also took multiple slams at Clinton, arguing that she wants to grow the size of government, does not respect religious liberty and wants to divide Americans “by ethnicity, by gender, and by economic status.”
In what may have been a reference to his uphill climb to the nomination, Jindal quoted Richard Nixon’s informal slogan from his successful 1968 campaign, which came after losing a presidential campaign to John Kennedy in 1960 and spending years in the political wilderness.
“In case it’s not clear by now, I’m running for President without permission from headquarters in Washington D.C.,” he said. “But rest assured — I’m tanned, rested, and ready for this fight.”
Sen. Ted Cruz kicked off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23.Tom Williams—CQ-Roll Call/Getty ImagesKentucky Sen. Rand Paul launched his bid for the Republican nomination at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on April 7. Supporters held signs with the slogan "Defeat the Washington Machine / Unleash the American Dream."Amy Harris—CorbisFormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her campaign in a YouTube video posted April 12 that has been seen nearly 4.5 million times. One boy featured in the video boasted about playing a fish in a school play.Hillary For AmericaFlorida Sen. Marco Rubio announced his campaign for the Republican nomination during a rally at the Freedom Tower in Miami on April 13. He took a drink of water during the speech, a callback to his State of the Union response in 2013.Wilfredo Lee—APVermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his bid for the Democratic nomination across the street from the U.S. Capitol on April 30, 2015. The backdrop was unusual, since most candidates rail against Washington.Jonathan Ernst—ReutersRetired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced his bid for the Republican nomination at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts May 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The launch featured a gospel choir covering Eminem's "Lose Yourself."Bill Pugliano—Getty ImagesFormer Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced her campaign for the Republican nomination in a conference call on May 4, then went on "Good Morning America" to talk to George Stephanopoulos.Lou Rocco—Getty ImagesFormer Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced his campaign at a community college in his hometown of Hope, Ark., on May 5. Singer Tony Orlando (right) performed.Left: Danny Johnston; Right: Matt Sullivan—Getty ImagesRepublican presidential candidate and former New York Governor George Pataki (C) greets supporters after formally announcing his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Exeter, N.H. on May 28, 2015. Dominick Reuter—ReutersFormer Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee announces his candidacy for the democratic presidential nomination at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. on June 3, 2015.Win McNamee—Getty ImagesRepublican Senator Lindsey Graham announces his 2016 presidential candidacy in Central, S.C. on June 1, 2015. Erik S. Lesser—EPAFormer Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is joined by his wife Katie O'Malley (R) as he announces his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore on May 30, 2015. Jim Bourg—ReutersFormer Texas governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for Republican presidential nominee at an event held at Addison Airport in Addison, Texas on Thursday, June 4, 2015.Louis DeLuca—Dallas Morning News/CorbisFormer Florida Governor Jeb Bush waves on stage as he announces his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination during an event at Miami-Dade College - Kendall Campus in Miami on June 15 , 2015.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesDonald Trump holds up his financial statement showing his net worth as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during an event at Trump Tower in New York City on June 16, 2015. Brendan McDermid—ReutersRepublican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner, La. on June 24, 2015. Jonathan Bachman—ReutersRepublican presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally at Livingston High School in Livingston, N.J. on June 30, 2015. Brendan McDermid—ReutersWisconsin Governor Scott Walker greets supporters after announcing that he will seek the Republican nomination for president in Waukesha, Wis. on July 13, 2015 . Scott Olson—Getty ImagesOhio Governor John Kasich arrives on stage to formally announce his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally in Columbus, Ohio on July 21, 2015. Aaron P. Bernstein—Reuters
