BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal’s focus on states important in the presidential campaign is drawing lots of criticism at home and doing little apparent good for his 2016 prospects.
Lost – at least for now – in a pack of better-known White House contenders, Jindal is taking heat in Louisiana for a $1.6 billion budget shortfall that threatens colleges and health care services with deep cuts. Lawmakers from both parties say his national political ambitions are a distraction.
“People, I believe, would love to separate themselves from him,” said Republican state Sen. Robert Adley.
Despite frequent travel, his attention to national issues, a good relationship with religious conservatives and plenty of sharp rhetoric against President Barack Obama, Jindal is making little impact in the Republican race.
Even so, it’s early in the contest, and the term-limited governor is expected to announce a presidential bid after state lawmakers wrap up their legislative session in mid-June. He’s sent political aides to Iowa and recently announced the hiring of a political operative for New Hampshire.