By Chris Stirewalt
Political Editor 2/24/09
Bobby Jindal wrote a gangbusters speech to try to rebut the president’s soaring oratory tonight, but his delivery didn’t rise to the occasion.
As Brit Hume pointed out on FOX News, doing the rebuttal in an empty, darkroom after the warm light of a thunderous reception for the president in the House made Jindal’s job harder.
Even so, Jindal will have to learn how to pump up his performance for key moments if he expects to play on such a big stage. He nailed the competency part with a good, clear speech. But his thin delivery didn’t telegraph the warm optimism required to sell grinchy conservative principles.
