Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal mocked the idea Friday that the Senators running against him for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination are prepared to cut federal spending, saying his record of fiscal conservatism outweighs their “large bladders.”
Speaking at Americans for Prosperity’s Defending the Dream Summit in Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Jindal said that he on the other hand has the proven track record to take on the political class in Washington and to cut the size and scope of government.
“We have a bunch of senators running — nobody in D.C. has ever cut government spending,” he said. “Look, they give great speeches, they filibuster, and I am proud they have large bladders, but that is not enough. We have a first term senator in the White House today. We cannot afford four more years of on-the-job training.”
Mr. Jindal is polling near the back of the pack, trailing Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky — all of whom, unlike Mr. Jindal, qualified for the first prime-time GOP presidential debate.
Mr. Cruz and Mr. Paul both have scored headlines for leading filibusters on the floor of the Senate. In 2013, Mr. Paul held the floor for nearly 13 hours, demanding that the Obama administration publicly vow not to target Americans on U.S. soil with drone strikes.
That same year Mr. Cruz made history with the fourth-longest talkathon in Senate history after holding the floor for more than 21 hours in an attempt to block funding for Obamacare.
Mr. Paul filibustered for more than 10 hours earlier this year against the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs.
Mr. Jindal said Friday that of the nine former or current governors running, he is the only one who has cut spending in his state.
“I am the candidate best prepared to hit the ground running on that first day,” he said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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