Bobby Jindal

Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Mark Sanford, Rick Perry... Chris Christie?

That’s the association that U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-Hoboken) and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) tried to make today on a conference call with the press, during which they panned Christie, the GOP’s gubernatorial nominee, for saying he would not accept some money from the federal stimulus package during the primary campaign.  

“It is beyond my comprehension that Chris Christie… has aligned himself with these folks,” said Menendez.  

Now that the primary is over, Democrats are jumping on the conservative principles Christie espoused while fighting Republican rival Steve Lonegan in the primary.  Today, the focus was on comments he made during media appearances in March. 

Governors Palin, Jindal, Sanford and Perry – leading lights of the conservative movement -- have all famously attempted to reject some of the stimulus funds that were offered to their states.

On WNYC's "The Brian Lehrer" show, he  said he would “be reluctant to accept” portions of stimulus funds that had “strings attached from Washington, DC.”  In later appearances and campaign events, according to a Democratic State Committee press release sent out after the call, he said that he would reject portions of the money and that the conservative governors' positions "make sense." 

Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer

TRENTON – There was Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on a television set and Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer listening with deepening skepticism. Palmer, a short-list candidate for lieutenant governor, thought Jindal’s Tuesday night GOP bite-back at President Barack Obama’s federal stimulus speech was especially poor. 

“I think he’s being panned a lot,” Palmer said of the Republican governor who in his remarks likened an aid package to federal bureaucrats haplessly attempting to micromanage Hurricane Katrina relief, and who would refuse a profusion of new federal funds to his state.

“Bobby Jindal’s either hypocritical or he’s putting politics ahead of his responsibility as governor of Louisiana,” said Trenton’s mayor since 1990. “Louisiana especially should welcome aid, and it’s his job to make sure that money is used effectively. Look, we tried the governor’s approach and it’s not going anywhere.” 

GOP presidential candidate John McCain with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, an Asian-Indian and possible VP pick: Getty Images Photo
DENVER -- Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, the first Indian-American to serve in the state legislature, said that if McCain chooses Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as his running mate, many of the state’s Indians would be tempted to vote for him.

But while New Jersey has one of the largest Indian populations in the country, Chivukula (D-FranklinTownship) said that there aren’t enough of them to change the statewide tide.

“I’m sure it will have some impact, yes. But Indian-Americans are not a large percentage, so it’s not going to be that much,” he said.

Will the Real Doug Forrester Please Stand Up?
Forrester Campaigns with self proclaimed "100% pro-life" Republican

During the Republican Primary Doug Forrester wanted the voters to believe that he was pro-life. Today he wants voters to believe that he's pro choice.

During the primary Doug Forrester made pro-life statements like "all of us are in agreement with proceeding to affirm life."

During the general election Forrester sought the endorsement of Republican pro-choice groups.