As of 1 p.m. New York time on Monday, about 36 hours after Bobby Jindal's election victory, here are excerpts from the list of NYT's most e-mailed stories:
10. NATIONAL | October 22, 2007
Man In the News: A Son of Immigrants Rises in a Southern State
By ADAM NOSSITER
Bobby Jindal will be the nation’s first Indian-American governor in a state where race is inseparable from politics.11. NATIONAL | October 21, 2007
Indian-American Elected Louisiana’s Governor
By ADAM NOSSITER
Bobby Jindal, a conservative Republican congressman from the New Orleans suburbs, inherits a state that was suffering well before Hurricane Katrina.
That "Man in the News" item is on the front-page of the paper, along with a photo of Jindal with his wife and one of their three kids. Here's how it begins:
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 21 — The first words from Bobby Jindal to his supporters after he won the Louisiana governor’s race on Saturday night were not about his victory, but L.S.U.’s triumph over Auburn the same day.
Bobby Jindal, the son of immigrant parents, celebrated his election on Saturday after campaigning as a conservative candidate with a résumé steeped in public policy and a sterling education.
The message could not have been clearer: I’m one of you, a normal, red-blooded football-loving Louisiana guy. It is a theme that seems to have informed the youthful Republican congressman’s every step, from his decision at age 4 to jettison his given name of Piyush for that of a character in the television series “The Brady Bunch” to the attentive faith-infused courting of conservatives that led to his victory on Saturday with 54 percent of the vote.
Mr. Jindal’s efforts only highlight, though, what is glaringly obvious to anyone who sees and hears the slight 36-year-old son of immigrants from India. He is a highly unusual politician, having become the nation’s first Indian-American governor in a Southern state where race is inseparable from politics.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post went with an AP story, "La. Gov-Elect Wants to End Corruption," by Melissa Deslatte.
Over at SepiaMutiny (where Amardeep's "Torn About Jindal" posting drew lots of attention there and here at SAJAforum), Anna new posting on Jindal, "Bobby Makes History," has generated plenty of comments (390+, last I checked).
Have I popped champagne? Yes, I have. No, I don’t believe in teaching Intelligent Design, I certainly am not an advocate of getting rid of a woman’s right to choose and I still support hate crime legislation.
I can guzzle bubbly despite all that, because there’s something else stirring within me— recognition that someone who looks like me did something so significant, combined with an uncomplicated thrill over the fact that Bobby made history.
There are so many valid reactions to Jindal; I know about them because thanks to Amardeep’s post, we have hosted a lively discussion regarding his background, his policy positions and the greater implications of his politicking, for “the community”. Amardeep’s thoughts resonated with many of us who are conflicted about Louisiana’s new Governor. The good news is, there are no wrong reactions.
What do YOU think? Post your comments below.
Jindal Coverage on SAJAforum:
- Roundup of Newspaper Front pages (Oct. 21, 2007)
- The World Reacts to the Victory (Oct. 21, 2007)
- Live Blogging the Results (Oct. 20, 2007)
- Election Day in Louisiana (Oct. 20, 2007)
- Bobby Jindal's Guv Bid in NYT (Oct. 19, 2007)
- Are Democrats Playing the Race Card With Bobby Jindal (Jan 31, 2007)
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