(photo by Sarah Beckman)
Foreign policy and reducing the size of the federal government are two of the main issues driving Republican presidential candidate Bobby Jindal’s campaign. Jindal wrapped up a four-day swing through Iowa with a town hall meeting in Ames Tuesday night. The Louisiana governor began with praise for U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron.
“He gave a very important speech over the weekend,” said Jindal. “He talked about the threat of radical Islam. He said Muslim leaders need to come out against radical Islam, and boy is it refreshing to hear the leader of a Western country talk so honestly and bluntly. Wouldn’t it be nice if our Commander in Chief would do that?”
Jindal went on to criticize President Obama’s response to the Chattanooga shootings, calling for Obama to openly label the attacks radical Islam and that of terrorists.
“He went to the Pentagon and said we’re not going to win this conflict with guns,” said Jindal. “He says we have to change hearts and minds. But within 24 hours of the Charleston shooting, he was talking about gun control. But he hasn’t even mentioned radical Islam and it’s been days for him to call for the flags to be lowered.”
Jindal also called out his own party contenders in the race, namely Jeb Bush and his suggestion to “be willing to lose the primary but win the election.”
“We have to be willing to stand up for what we believe in,” said Jindal. “We cannot be the cheapened, second choice of liberals. I am not going to compromise my conservative ideals to be liked by the press to win this election.”
Jindal said he would wants to get rid of the “big bureaucrats” and corrupt politicians, from both sides of the aisle. He said he is comfortable standing up to opposition, as he had to do when he legalized school choice as governor of Louisiana.
“We got a lot of opposition with that deal, people were protesting outside the capitol,” said Jindal. “And I had to face people and explain to them why I did what I did. But I think that’s what has to be done.”
In terms of what he would do if he took office, Jindal said he would work to reduce the size of the federal government.
“I would be working hard to make sure I am out of a job,” said Jindal. “I would be working hard to reduce the size of government, not to make myself more powerful and bigger…because that’s what happens when you get that job. You think you have all this power. But that can’t happen anymore.”
Jindal’s message resonated with numerous members of the Ames audience, one being Debuque-born Marilyn Krocheski, a Republican.
“I love him, I love how he’s so honest and that he’s got some good experience as the Louisiana governor,” said Krocheski. “I’m also really interested in Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.”
Krocheski said she will definitely not be voting for one of the GOP’ers.
“I do not like Lindsey Graham,” said Krocheski. “He’s just like John McCain. He’s a wimp…squishy.”
