Words and Light

• BRIEF, POST-ADDRESS ANALYSIS

According to Politico, Jindal was set to face a tough audience:

Note to Bobby Jindal: They’re going to hate you.

When you deliver the Republican response to President Barack Obama’s address Tuesday night, the critics will fault your style and delivery. Your rhetoric will be panned as empty and partisan. Some in your party inevitably will question whether you were up to the job.

His style and delivery were unlike any I’ve recently heard coming from a major politician. As @gerik noted on Twitter, Jindal sounded like he was reading a bedtime story to the American audience. It was truly an interesting choice in tone and delivery. Perhaps Jindal was going for the comforting tone of voice — but dare I say it almost sounded patronizing?

I really don’t like to deliver my own opinion on political matters in a public forum — especially since this is supposed to be a journalism/photography blog — but I don’t think Jindal’s speech was extremely partisan. He wasn’t as outspoken as I’d kinda thought he’d be, based on his record and reputation as one of the most vocal opponents to at least certain parts of the stimulus package.

All in all, it seemed to be a very carefully thought-out, measured speech written with restraint. And, according to the Washington Post, Jindal himself wrote it.

• 9:38 p.m. CST —

“Americans can do anything.” — Jindal

Following the train of “God bless (insert name),” Jindal concludes his speech in 12 minutes.

• 9:36 p.m. CST —

Jindal: belief in the needs to “restrain spending in Washington” and restrict federal government’s power are what distinguish Republicans from Democrats.

“Our party is determined to regain your trust.” He’s now citing major Republican Party contributions to American history — such as abolishing slavery.

• 9:32 p.m. CST —

Jindal is responding to Obama, point by point. Agrees on universal health care — just as long as it’s not governmentally run.

He is really citing what measures he and the state government have done in Louisiana post-hurricanes, in terms of economic development, education and other sectors… almost pumping his own resume. This is Jindal’s first major foray onto the national political stage — is this an early bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2012?

• 9:31 p.m. CST —

Jindal is now criticizing certain points of the stimulus package — specifically volcanic eruption monitoring?

He is now calling the stimulus package “irresponsible” and citing cut earmarks from Louisiana’s state budget.

• 9:29 p.m. CST —

Jindal: “The strength of America is not found in our government” — instead, it’s found in the spirit of Americans.

Jindal’s getting right into the business/tax credit side of things.

• 9:27 p.m. CST —

“Republicans have the responsibility to be candid.” But Jindal promises some degree of cooperation with Obama and the Democratic Party…

• 9:25 p.m. CST —

So Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.) is on the air to deliver his response to Pres. Barack Obama’s Congressional address.

This is my first time watching Jindal speak. His red, diagonally striped tie is stunningly like the one Obama wore this evening.