Gov. Bobby Jindal Slams Donald Trump as "Not a Serious Candidate" ... back >
Sept. 10, 2015 - Speaking at the National Press Club, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) delivered a sharp takedown of Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.  Trump, Jindal declared, "is full of foolishness and nonsense."  Some quotes:

 "Donald Trump is not a serious candidate.  He's a narcissist; he's an egomanic.  The only thing he believes in is himself." 

"The idea of the Donald Trump act is great.  The reality of Donald Trump, however, is absurd.  He's non-serious.  He's a carnival act.  Here's the truth about Donald Trump.  Donald Trump is shallow.  He has no understanding of policy.  He is full of bluster; he has no substance.  He lacks the intellectual curiousity to even learn.  You can't argue policy with this guy.  The only thing that Donald Trump believes in is himself."

"He's an entertaining narcissist, but he's still a narcissist.  Like all narcissists Donald Trump is insecure and weak.  He's afraid of being exposed.  That's why he tells us always and constantly how big and strong and wealthy he is."

Beyond engaging in the insult war, Jindal said that Trump is dangerous because he could cost conservatives the opportunity to save our country.  The question for conservatives, Jindal said, is, "Are we going to rely and trust proven conservative principles or are we going to turn to a man who believes in nothing but himself?" 

"We can make America great again.  But we will not do that by putting an unserious and unstable narcissist in the White House.  Our country is worth saving.  This is our time to save it.  The conservative cause deserves more than a power-hungry shark.  He eats whatever is in front of him.  Sooner or later we will be his next meal.  This is our moment; this is our time.  We can win right now, or we can be the biggest fools of all time, and put our faith not in our principles but in an egomanical madman who has no principles."  [prepared remarks

After Jindal finished his broadside on Trump, John K. Hughes, president of the National Press Club, posed questions on a range of subjects to the Louisiana governor.

Meanwhile, the beat goes on.  On a TV monitor in the lobby of the National Press Club building the subject on CNN is the latest Trump controversy.

Sept. 11, 2015 - As one might expect, Jindal's speech did generate a response from Trump:


PRESS RELEASE from Jindal for President

Trump Can’t Resist Responding to Jindal Attacks

WASHINGTON — After saying he wasn’t going to respond to Governor Jindal’s attacks on Thursday, Donald Trump has now responded... twice. And Bobby fired back. Here’s the latest exchange:

@realDonaldTrump
Oh wow, lightweight Governor @BobbyJindal, who is registered at less than 1 percent in the polls, just mocked my hair. So original!

@BobbyJindal

So yesterday I pointed out @realDonaldTrump is a substance-free narcissist… All he heard was a stray comment about his hair…I rest my case.

@realdonaldtrump Did you consult polls before attacking Carly Fiorina’s appearance? Or is that just your go-to when challenged by a woman?

And prior to this exchange, there was this: 
Donald J. Trump
‏@realDonaldTrump

Bobby Jindal did not make the debate stage and therefore I have never met him….

.... I only respond to people that register more than 1% in the polls. I never thought he had a chance and I’ve been proven right.

@BobbyJindal

.@realdonaldtrump We have met. You wrote a check. A fool & his money are soon parted. A fool & his dad’s money are parted sooner.

.@realdonaldtrump I’m disappointed. Is this the best you can do? Are you suffering from low energy today?

Stay tuned…


Trump's candidacy poses a major challenge for the Republican candidates.  Is the best approach to engage in the insult wars, make nice, or try to ignore him?  Jindal engaged and got a bit of attention.  A month and a half ago former Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) took a similar approach to Jindal's, delivering a speech in which he described Trump as "a cancer on conservatism."  Also in July, after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said something uncomplimentary about him, Trump gave out Graham's cell phone number.  (Graham got a fair bit of mileage out of that when IJReview produced a video "How to Destroy Your Cell Phone With Sen. Lindsey Graham" that went viral).  Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has been warm towards Trump; yesterday they headlined the Tea Party Patriots' rally against the Iran deal.