This space is certainly not the first to traffic in speculation about Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal’s potential as VP on a Republican ticket come the fall. Rush Limbaugh, as well as some other conservative outlets, have been voicing excitement about Jindal’s prospects within the party for some time, even though he has only been in Baton Rouge for about two months. However, with the Republican nomination finally, formally, locked up for John McCain, the ticket whispering can begin in earnest. And there are whispers.

It was only about a month ago when Jindal was asked about the possibility of a McCain/Jindal ticket, to which the governor replied only that McCain was “…not going to ask [him].” Of course, that’s quite a bit different than an outright rejection. Furthermore, despite how recent Jindal’s election has been, Louisianians are, understandably, quite concerned with bringing in the federal dollars (if not federal mentions), which is one of the few things that might conceivably be within the realm of Vice Presidential powers. That has the potential quell any backlash against such a move within the state. His youth and conservative bona fides are probably enough to keep him on McCain’s shortlist, since it seems one of his major weaknesses as a candidate is the creeping spectre of death (see below).

[N.B. Google search will finish the search term “McCain die in office” for you, if you wish.]

It is, however, a recent development that brings this story to the page. Tomorrow John McCain will be on Jindal’s home turf of Kenner (a highly conservative suburb of New Orleans and part of Jindal’s former 1st District congressional seat) for a $2,300-a-plate fundraiser. This event has not (as of this writing) appeared on the Senator’s public schedule. A source also says that both the Governor and the Senator will be attending a policy meeting at the Ritz Carlton hotel in downtown New Orleans prior to the fundraiser on March 7. This, also, is conspicuously absent from either public schedule (and Jindal’s office was unavailable for comment as of this writing).

Whether or not this reported meeting is a first step toward a potential Vice Presidential pick or just another attempt by McCain to pitch some conservative woo remains to be seen. Following directly on the heels of his primary win and Jindal’s endorsement of McCain, however, does add a nice element of intrigue to the proceedings. Whether there’s anything to all of this speculation or not, McCain’s decision likely won’t be made known for months. At least until they’re finished stenciling over the airplane.