Jindal launches exploratory committee

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) has formed an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for his likely 2016 White House run.

“If I run, my candidacy will be based on the idea that the American people are ready to try a dramatically different direction. Not a course correction, but a dramatically different path,” Jindal said in a statement.

{mosads}He used the announcement to deliver a broad critique of the Obama administration’s economic, domestic and foreign policy record.

“President Obama has started to redefine the American Dream, turning it into the European Nightmare,” he said.

“Economic collapse is much closer to the door than people realize, our culture is decaying at a rapid rate, and our standing in a dangerous world is at an all-time low.”

Jindal said he and his wife, Supriya, will make a decision about a presidential bid after Louisiana’s legislative session ends in June.  

The Louisiana governor would have a tough climb if he decides to run, as he regularly lands outside of the top 10 in both national and early primary state polls.

Still, Jindal could have a shot in Iowa, where his brand of Christian conservatism could play well with caucus-goers. He is a strong opponent of abortion and gay marriage, and he has cut hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes as governor.

The governor has also made education a key issue of his tenure. He championed a controversial voucher program for private schools that drew the ire of the Justice Department, and while he initially supported Common Core, he now opposes it vocally.

Jindal flirted with a 2012 bid, and initially endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry before shifting to support the nominee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

The Democratic National Committee needled Jindal by sending out a “statement” that only included a link to a YouTube video of a puppy yawning.