Republicans humbled by own problems: Jindal

WASHINGOTN: The Bush administration's excessive spending, corruption charges and inability to find solutions to pressing problems of American people have led to the rout of the Republican Party in the presidential polls, Indian American Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal has said.
    
The 37-year-old charismatic leader, who was approached to be Republican presidential nominee John McCain's running mate, said the party's campaign in itself was not solely responsible for its defeat in the November 4 polls.
    
"I don't think it was just about the campaign. When you look at the Republican party, there are basically three things we've got to correct for us to start winning elections again."
    
Firstly, the Republicans should have matched their actions with their "rhetoric", Jindal told MSNBC.
    
"The Republican party has talked about spending discipline, cutting taxes and yet we were defending out-of-control spending in Washington we would have rightfully criticised in the other party," he said.
    
The second reason for the defeat was the corruption cases haunting the party. The Republicans have to root out corruption within their own ranks, he said.
    
"A week before the election, you've got our most senior United States Senator (Republican Ted Stevens) convicted of federal charges. We can't defend behaviour again that we would rightfully criticise on the other side."
    
Finally, he said, "most importantly, we again have to be the party of solutions."
    
"We have to apply our conservative principles to the challenges that are confronting the American people...you can't win an election simply by criticising the other side."
    
Jindal said whether one voted for Obama or not, "we all need to support him. We need him to be successful."
    
However, he stressed that it is also necessary to stand up and oppose the incoming President on principles.