As we wait for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s response to President Obama’s speech, a few thoughts:

1. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of these things. Responses rarely have any impact at all, and typically just make the people delivering them look like sour grapes.

2. For this reason, it’s a strange forum for Jindal’s supposed national political debut.

3. Still, I’m happy that a governor — and not a member of Congress — is giving this speech. Given the financial crisis and the battle in Washington over the bailout, the response would have looked more divisive had it come from a member of Congress. A governor, on the other hand, isn’t expected to work as closely with the president; in turn, a response from a governor doesn’t make things as confrontational.