Bobby!!!

For once, the State of Louisiana does something right.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal became the nation's youngest governor and the first nonwhite to hold post in Louisiana since Reconstruction when he carried more than half the vote to defeat 11 opponents.

Jindal, the Republican 36-year-old son of Indian immigrants, had 53 percent with 625,036 votes with about 92 percent of the vote tallied. It was more than enough to win Saturday's election outright and avoid a Nov. 17 runoff.

"My mom and dad came to this country in pursuit of the American dream. And guess what happened. They found the American Dream to be alive and well right here in Louisiana," he said to cheers and applause at his victory party.

His nearest competitors: Democrat Walter Boasso with 208,690 votes or 18 percent; Independent John Georges had 167,477 votes or 14 percent; Democrat Foster Campbell had 151,101 or 13 percent. Eight candidates divided the rest.

Jindal is one of the brightest young minds in conservative politics. He is part of the future of the Republican Party.

I had the pleasure of running into Rep. Jindal while walking around the House Office Buildings in late January / early February. I shook his hand and wished him well later this year.

I was meaning last night, and he knew it too.

Mark it down, he's your GOP Presidential nominee down the road!