Gingrich needs to go back to proposing space-based air traffic control and Census Bureau change we can believe in, so he will stop saying these things:

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said Sunday that Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal “would be far and away the best candidate” to appear on the Republican presidential ticket with Sen. John McCain (Ariz.).

The good news for McCain is that Gingrich’s imprimatur on an idea these days means that it is almost by definition impractical or absurd, which should make it much easier for McCain to avoid the blunder of choosing Jindal.  Jindal could be a good choice…in another sixteen years or so.  Fortunately, Jindal keeps making it quite clear that he wants to stay in Louisiana, as well he should. 

Beyond being an unwise choice in itself, the whiff of desperation that choosing Jindal would give off would badly undermine McCain’s campaign more than just about anything else.  Like a Webb choice for Obama, a Jindal choice for McCain would draw attention to all of the presumed liabilities that the VP choice is supposedly going to offset.  McCain’s age and lack of polish in speaking are obvious, and there’s no hiding either one, but it makes no sense to have people dwell on these factors, especially when the age factor will make voters even more concerned that the VP nominee can take over if necessary at any time.  At 37 and one year into his first term as governor, Jindal simply doesn’t fit the bill at the present time, and leading Republicans should be pushing other selections if they must speculate about the choice.

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