Although his name is floated about in the media, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, 36 years old and the first Indian-American governor of a state just says no. He said it in his appearance last week on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Watch the video here.

Nonetheless, Jindal — the son of Indian immigrants, the first minority governor of Louisiana since Reconstruction and the first South Asian governor in the United States — has been the subject of chatter in Republican Party circles as a potential vice presidential candidate in a year when some strategists think John McCain might choose a minority running mate to neutralize the historical appeal of likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama. Jindal’s youth and staunch conservatism might also help balance the ticket.

Jindal shot down the rumors. “I’ve got the job I want,” Jindal told Leno. “I told the people of Louisiana this is a historic opportunity to fix our state. I want to be involved in doing that.”

“If they let me, I’d like to run for reelection” as governor, he added.

Source: At Least to Leno, Jindal Says No

As did Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice before him, Bobby Jindal has said no, and the McCain campaign must move on. It would have been quite a coup for the McCain campaign, as Bobby Jindal’s youthfulness, charisma and proven track record as a reformer would have had appeal for voters. As for the name, yes, there is a pop culture reference:

According to family lore, Jindal adopted the name “Bobby” after watching The Brady Bunch television program at age four. He has been known by that name ever since—as a civil servant, politician, student, and writer—though legally his name remains Piyush Jindal.

Source – Wikipedia – Bobby Jindal

See also:

• McCain-Jindal?
• C-SPAN Video: Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) at National Press Club

Video of Bobby Jindal on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” – 4/28/08