Bobby Jindal Puts Down Marker for 2012 Presidential Race

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) will give a speech to an Iowa Christian group just two and a half weeks after Election Day — a move likely to link his name early with the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential ticket.

Jindal will speak at the Iowa Family Policy Center’s “Celebrating the Family” banquet on November 22, a fundraiser for the conservative, Des Moines group.

Iowa is traditionally home to the first presidential caucus, and a battleground for presidential hopefuls to tune up their campaigns. Jindal, the Republican governor of Louisiana, was widely thought of as a possible running mate choice by John McCain before the nominee chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

–Michael O’Brien