Gov. Bobby Jindal is taking on the GOP frontrunner this morning at an address before the National Press Club. In prepared remarks issued to the media in advance of his address, which began at 9:30 a.m., Jindal skewers Donald Trump as a “narcissist,” “egomaniac” and “non-serious carnival act.”
“Donald Trump is shallow,” read Jindal’s remarks. “He has no understanding of policy. He’s full of bluster but has no substance. He lacks the intellectual curiosity to even learn.”
According to the latest CNN/ORC poll, released this morning, Trump continues to lead the pack of Republican hopefuls, with his support rising 8 points since August to 32%. Jindal, meanwhile, is still among polling within the margin of error, with 1% of support in the latest poll.
In his address this morning, Jindal says he understands Trump’s appeal to voters. Jindal says he likes the idea of a “D.C. outsider” and the fact that Trump “doesn’t care about political correctness.” And Jindal says Trump diagnosis is correct.
“He is right. The political class in Washington has abandoned us. Trump has performed an important service by taking on the political class and exposing them for being completely full of nonsense,” read Jindal’s remarks. “But here’s the problem. Donald Trump is also full of nonsense.”
Jindal says Trump is dangerous, and could ultimately cost the GOP a presidential fight that they’re in position to win.
“As conservatives, we have a golden opportunity in front of us. The Democrats have terribly screwed things up, and are basically giving us the next election,” Jindal says. “If we blow this opportunity—we may never get it again, the stakes are incredibly high.”
Jindal’s campaign says he’ll continue to slam Trump today during an appearance on Fox News’ Your World with Neil Cavuto around 3:15 p.m.
