Viewpoint: GOP odd couple go in different directions

In 2003, when they both debuted on the political stage, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bobby Jindal were billed as the odd couple of rising Republican stars, writes LaPolitics columnist John Maginnis. Besides looking like a before-and-after ad for Charles Atlas’ muscle-building course, the two veered sharply at the start of their political careers. The Austrian immigrant and former Mr. Universe-turned-movie-star announced for governor of California on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, while the slight, brainy son of immigrants skipped through a series of political jobs before joining a crowded field of candidates for governor of Louisiana. Schwarzenegger, coasting into office in the recall election of his hapless Democratic predecessor, was widely acclaimed as an unconventional Republican who could draw bipartisan support in the Democratic-controlled Legislature of a big liberal state. Jindal, despite a strong push from his old boss the sitting governor, finished his race like a girly man, unwilling to strike back when attacked and losing most conservative rural parishes to a Democrat, a woman even. While Schwarzenegger rode high in the Golden State, Jindal had to settle for a back seat in Congress from backwater Louisiana. It took a hurricane and a levee break to clear the path for him to win the governorship four years later. The world changed, the worm turned. To read the full column, click here.