Jindal bows out of US prez race, says this is not his time
Thursday, 19/11/2015
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
WASHINGTON: Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American to run for White House, dropped out of the race on Tuesday unable to find traction among Republicans and raise enough to last longer.
His poll numbers were stuck in the single-digits at the bottom of the list, confining him to what has been derisively called the “kiddie-table” primary debates, where he had his moments.
Not enough, however, to stave off reports of a sputtering campaign on life-support. In a conference call with reporters, his campaign cited lack of resources among his reasons for exit.
“This is not my time,” Jindal said in a statement. He is the third Republican to leave the race, after Rick Perry and Scott Walker. There are 14 left now, with more exits expected over time.
“When I was born, we lived in student housing at LSU (Louisiana State University), and never in their (his parents) wildest dreams did they think their son would have the opportunity to serve as Governor of Louisiana or to run for President,” he said.
He insisted he was not running as an Indian-American, saying he was tired of hyphenated-Americans. Jindal’s family moved to the US from Punjab, India 45 years ago.
But he is an Indian American and his place in history is secure as the first member from the community to both be elected governor (Nikki Haley is the second) and run for President.
Jindal is also the second IndianAmerican ever to be elected to the House of Representatives, the first was Dalip Singh Saund. Ami Bera is the third, serving his second term now. Though irritated by his insistence at not being called Indian-American, the community, most of whom vote Democratic, followed his campaign closely.
