Tipsheet

Jindal's Speech Tonight

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will emphasize his immigrant roots and commitment to smaller government in the GOP response to President Obama's primetime speech tonight.

“As I grew up, my mom and dad taught me the values that attracted them to this country - and they instilled in me an immigrant’s wonder at the greatness of America," Jindal will say according to released excerpts of his speech. "As a child, I remember going to the grocery store with my dad.  Growing up in India, he had seen extreme poverty.  And as we walked through the aisles, looking at the endless variety on the shelves, he would tell me: ‘Bobby, Americans can do anything.’  I still believe that to this day."

Jindal is one of three renegade GOP governors who are declining to accept a portion of their state's stimulus money to expand unemployment benefits. He argues accepting the money would lead to a permanent change in his state law that would need to be later financed with a tax increase.

“To solve our current problems, Washington must lead," Jindal will say. "But the way to lead is not to raise taxes and put more money and power in hands of Washington politicians.  The way to lead is by empowering you - the American people.  Because we believe that Americans can do anything. "