Governor Jindal Leaves Louisiana Again For Missouri, Chicago Fundraisers
by Bill Barrow - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is continuing his effort to expand his political reach and collect campaign contributions from donors outside Louisiana, this time in Missouri and Illinois.

The Republican governor will be in Leawood, Mo., tonight before traveling to Chicago tomorrow, according to his office. Both events are fundraisers for his Louisiana campaign fund. Jindal has said he plans to seek re-election in 2011.

In Missouri, Jindal will greet donors at a private residence, his spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said. The Chicago event will be at the Union League Club in downtown, blocks from the park where President Barack Obama delivered his victory address on election night. Jindal's staff did not disclose any information about the sponsors or suggested contribution amounts at either location.

Since last summer, Jindal has attended fundraising events, either for himself or others, in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C., with multiple stops in some of those places. He also has traveled to Iowa, the first caucus state in presidential election years. Jindal has scheduled an April trip to Boston and a return to Florida.

Jindal's campaign typically pays the cost of his out-of-state campaign travel. Taxpayers, however, are on the hook for Jindal's traveling security detail.

The governor dismisses talk of national ambitions, usually saying, "I've got the job I want."