Assets: Popular second-term governor of Louisiana. Long experience in government, starting with leadership of Louisiana health-care system at age 24. Elected to two terms in Congress, giving him Washington experience. Indian-American heritage would add diversity to ticket.
Negatives: Wonky image. Lingering memories of his 2009 response to Obama’s first address to a joint session of Congress, which was panned even by Republicans as “awkward” and “amateurish.” Still young (early 40s). Louisiana is already in Romney’s column.
