Bobby Jindal defends Rush "wants Obama to fail" statement

Bobby Jindal defended Rush Limbaugh's "wants Obama to fail" statement without prompting. "It depends on what he's trying to do," Jindal told a crowd of about 1,200 Republicans at the National Building Museum. He pointed out Republicans should want to Obama to fail when he keeps the United States indebted to China, taxes Americans to fund abortions in foreign countries, taxes private businesses or allows public union elections. Jindal stated Republicans should want Obama to succeed when doing things like "cutting earmarks."

JINDAL: WANT OBAMA TO FAIL? DEPENDS
Jindal: Want Obama to fail? Depends
Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 11:49 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Claire Luke
WASHINGTON -- Since Rush Limbaugh said he wants President Obama to fail, Republicans have been asked repeatedly if they share the sentiment.

Last night, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, unprompted, offered his answer.

"It depends on what he's trying to do," Jindal told a crowd of about 1,200 Republicans at the National Building Museum, gathered for a fundraiser for the National Republican Campaign Committee, which supports GOP candidates running for Congress. Jindal spoke just minutes before President Obama took to the podium for his nationally televised prime-time news conference.

Answering yes to the question of wanting Obama to fail seems like treason, Jindal said, adding that Democrats wanted to see President Bush fail.

If the president does what Jindal agrees with -- like cutting earmarks -- then he said he wishes Obama success. But if the president, as Jindal perceives, keeps the United States indebted to China, taxes Americans to fund abortions in foreign countries, taxes private businesses or allows public union elections, then, Jindal said, Republicans should want Obama to fail in those measures.

"We are loyal to the United States, but we don't have to be loyal to every policy," he stated. "We can't allow policies like those of European socialism." (excerpt) read more at firstread.msnbc.msn.com