Indian-American Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, has disclosed that he was approached by the McCain campaign to be a possible running mate of the Republican nominee in the November 4 polls, but he declined the offer as he was satisfied with his current position.
"They actually contacted me and asked me to be vetted. And we politely declined. I said I was honoured that they wanted me to do that, but the reality is that I do have the job that I want. I've been Governor for about a year now," he told MSNBC when asked if he was surprised when the Republicans did not even attempt to vet him.
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His remarks came a week after Republican Senator John McCain was trounced by Afro-American Democrat Barack Obama in the historic presidential polls.
The 37-year-old Louisiana Governor said he was flattered when he was asked to be vetted. But, added that, "I told them what I said all along, which was that I've got the job that I want. I certainly support the ticket, but didn't want to be part of the ticket."
"...I was even flattered to be mentioned in the same sentence with some of those other names," Jindal said.
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The election of Obama as the 44th President of the United States has started off a thinking in many quarters that anything is possible in the American democracy and that someone like Jindal could make it to the Oval Office in the near future.
Jindal, who has not expressed any such political drive right now, argued that one would have to look past the McCain campaign to see why the Grand Old Party lost on November 4.
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"I don't think it was just about the campaign. When you look at the Republican Party, there are basically three things we've got to correct for us to start winning elections again. Number one, our actions have to match our rhetoric," Jindal said.
"The Republican Party has talked about spending discipline, cutting taxes and yet we were defending out-of-control spending in Washington we would have rightfully criticised in the other party," he said while listing his reasons for the loss of the party in the polls.
About the number two step, Jindal said, the Republicans have to root out corruption within their own ranks.
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"A week before the election, you've got our most senior United States Senator (Republican Ted Stevens) convicted of federal charges. We can't defend behaviour again that we would rightfully criticise on the other side."
Finally, he said, "Most importantly, we again have to be the party of solutions. We have to apply our conservative principles to the challenges that are confronting the American people, whether it's the rising cost of health care, whether it's the economy, whether it's international challenges. We have to show real solutions. It's not enough -- you can't win an election simply by criticising the other side."
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Jindal said McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin were very gracious on election night. "I think it's so important. We need to support the president-elect, the new Congress. The election is over. Whether you voted for the president-elect or not, we all need to support him. We need him to be successful."
However, the Governor stressed that it is also necessary to stand up and oppose incoming President Obama on principles.
"We need to stand up and oppose him on principle when we disagree, but we should work together. The country is tired of partisan attacks. The campaign is over. Now's the time to work together," Jindal said.
