TAMPA, Fla. - The prime-time Republican National Convention speech of Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana has become another casualty of Tropical Storm Isaac.
Mr. Jindal, who at one point had been considered a strong potential candidate for vice president on the Republican ticket, announced Monday that he would not attend events in Tampa while the storm threatened his state, let alone speak as scheduled at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
With the storm bearing down on Louisiana on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the governor really had no choice. He could hardly leave his post for a nationally televised moment in the political spotlight when parts of Louisiana could be underwater and residents facing disaster.
It is not the first time a hurricane has interrupted Mr. Jindal's political itinerary â€" he was forced to miss the 2008 Republican convention in St. Paul when Hurricane Gustav int ervened and kept him at home and off the podium.
While a convention appearance can be a big opportunity for a party star like Mr. Jindal, he probably will do more to further his political future by staying home and taking care of business.
