Bobby Jindal says Palin is “absolutely electable” in 2012

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was asked recently by Bloomberg regarding criticism given by other Republicans that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is simply unelectable for the 2012 cycle. Jindal respond saying that unequivocally he thinks she is electable and that she has the right experience as a Governor to lead the country.

Report from The Fix:

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) gave Sarah Palin’s national hopes a boost over the weekend, telling Bloomberg’s Al Hunt that he believes it’s possible for the former Alaska governor to be elected president.

“Oh, absolutely,” Jindal said when asked if he thought Palin is electable. “I think it’s up to her to make the case to voters. I think we have several — and, by the way, I am biased towards governors and those that have run organizations and executives who’ve had to balance budgets, make tough choices.”

Jindal was asked about a recent column by “Morning Joe” co-host and former Florida Republican congressman Joe Scarborough, who wrote that “it’s time for the GOP to man up” and acknowledge that Palin is unelectable.

“The same leaders who fret that Sarah Palin could devastate their party in 2012 are too scared to say in public what they all complain about in private,” Scarborough wrote late last month.

On the one hand, the fact that Jindal — who is running for a second term as governor in 2011 — has unequivocally ruled out a bid for president in 2012 makes it easier for him to be generous about a potential Palin bid. In politics it’s always better to be magnanimous than petty, and Jindal’s “interested observer” role makes it far easier for him to be big rather than small.

Sarah Palin moves Republican primary voters to the polls and I think we’re going to see that in 2012 whether she is running or simply endorsing. Her followers are motivated and probably more likely to turn out and vote compared to the average population. Jindal is smart to endear himself to Palin and her supporters. Though my bet is that he truly does believe she’s electable and probably does respect her experience.