Bobby Jindal for U.S. President

[Wyatt Lee]

Richmond Times-
Dispatch:http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/opinion/op_ed/article/EDLOUISIANA_20081209-170422/146972/

Louisiana -- a state with a long history of political corruption and ineptitude -- seems to be changing its ways. Last year, its voters elected Bobby Jindal to the governorship. A reformer, a pragmatist, a devout Catholic, a Republican, and a conservative, Jindal promised Louisiana honest, limited government that works. So far, he appears to be keeping his vow.

On Saturday, New Orleans voters ended the long career of Rep. William Jefferson, who has been indicted on 16 counts of bribery and money-laundering -- and is perhaps best known for the $90,000 in cash that FBI agents found in his freezer. In what has been widely touted as a stunning upset, Jefferson lost his inner-city seat to Anh "Joseph" Cao.

Cao is a Republican, an attorney, and a former Jesuit seminarian who lost his home and his law office to Hurricane Katrina. His campaign Web site emphasizes ethics reform, ending wasteful government spending, and market-driven improvements to the health care system.

Jindal, the son of immigrants, is the nation's first Indian-American governor. Cao, who fled Saigon with his mother in 1975, will be the first Vietnamese-American to serve in the House. Both men's stories of success emphasize what's best about this nation.

As the Republican Party grapples to find its way, we suggest it look south to the bayou, where clean and effective government, principled conservatism, and an embrace of America's immigrant heritage are helping the GOP succeed in most unlikely places.

Jindal is scheduled to appear in Richmond today with Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the presumptive Republican gubernatorial nominee next year. If McDonnell follows the Louisiana governor's approach and philosophy, it could mark a big first step in the state GOP's return to right reason -- and should help it start winning elections again.