Let's get back to the article. Is this gentlemen getting elected a watershed? Deos it signify pluralism or some momentus event? Who might it frighten and whom might it embolden?
Is this a signal that hard-working immigrants can succeed in all sectors of our society?
A watershed? Maybe. He isn't the first of Indian origin to be elected in the United States. He gave up his Hinduism to become a Catholic. He does have a very impressive academic background, I must say.
In all sectors of society? Absolutely not. He was not from a working class background by any means. When you arrive with the means then it isn't a far stretch that you are in a good position to do well.
I'd say he is a huge lift for the Republicans though. There big force in Louisiana before Jindal was David Vitter and he turned from man of the future to massive embarassment when his prostitution visits became public knowledge. My guess is that Jindal will find Louisiana politics tougher than he thinks, but he's a much better investment for the GOP than Vitter ever was. Jindal is a PR coup and he's not caught up in the "values voter" crap that Vitter was. Plus, I doubt Jindal will have those skeletons in his closet anyway.
He was mostly an ineffective Congressman because he generally just didn't show up to vote.
He'll be an interesting one to watch, for sure.