Jindal needles potential 2016 rivals over policy

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal needled other potential Republican presidential contenders on Wednesday, suggesting they weren’t focused enough on preparing substantive policy ideas. 

“We need a president who wants to do something, not just be somebody,” Jindal said on “Fox & Friends,” calling for an “authentic conservative” candidate.

“We put a lot of thought into what the next president should do. I’m surprised others aren’t doing that,” he added.

{mosads}Asked about Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who announced his White House bid Monday and is the only major declared GOP candidate, Jindal said he’s personally focused on offering policy ideas.

“A lot of them are focused on fundraising, polling, consulting,” Jindal said of other potential candidates.

He said he has spent time in the past year and a half exploring public policy ideas through his think tank, putting out “detailed policies” for an ObamaCare replacement plan, for energy, schools and defense spending. 

“I’ve been saying for a while that I’d like to see our nominee be a conservative reform governor,” he said, noting he’d make a decision about running after his legislative session ends in mid-June.

Should Jindal launch a run, he’d likely join a crowded GOP field, including Cruz and Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), among others.