Because Jindal is a political leader in the American south, questions of race obviously need to be addressed. Should Jindal’s success, and of those like him such as South Carolinian Governor Nicki Haley (birth name: Nimrata Nikki Randhawa), be taken as an indication that Indians are now considered “white”? And if so, how did that happen, and what are the consequences?

I think their success should be taken as an indication that the American South isn't overtly more or less racist than most other parts of the nation. I grew up in the North, in Michigan and I moved to the south a couple of years ago. My experience has been that there is just as much racism in Michigan as there is in the Carolina's. The difference is that in the Carolina's people wear it on their sleeves more often, while in Michigan it's only whispered. In the south it's a bumper-sticker, in the North it's something that creeps out in conversation when someone has had too much to drink.

I know that cliffelam is a Jindal fan. Any thoughts on this Cliff?