AmericanPapist Comments
It's rare for Hindus to convert to Catholicism here, and for upper caste/class Hindus to convert back in India. I know only one other convert from Hinduism (apart from myself). And Mr. Jindal as well (whom I don't know personally, I hasten to add!)
In 1993 he wrote a piece in America about his conversion, which is worth reading. I blogged on it last year.
However, in India, lower caste Hindus and non-caste tribals do convert to Christianity (mainly Protestantism, but Catholicism too) as this fascinating WSJ story from last year also shows.
Gov. Jindal appears to have a great future ahead of him in elective politics, but my sense is that his time to be on a national ticket is one or two election cycles away.
It would be a great mistake for him to jump to the national stage before the time is right.
Remember Harold Stassen?
He was "boy Governor" of Minnesota, elected in 1938 at the age of 31.
He appeared to have a very bright future ahead of him, and was seen as a sure contender for the White House. He first ran in 1948 (at the age of 41, losing the nomination to Gov. Thomas E. Dewey. Stassen ran for President again in 1952 and a total of 8 (that's right 8) more times, never a real contender for the nomination after 1952.
He peaked too early.
Timing is everything in politics; Gov. Jindal is smart enough to know that.
I don't think it would be too early for him at all... even if he did lose as V.P., I have no doubt that this man will one day be our President (and a damn good one too).
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