Jindal strikes religious tone at Baptist college
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's stump speech took the tone of a sermon Friday as he urged students to spread Christianity and not back down against attacks on religious liberty.
“There's this growing belief that you can either be Christian or smart, but you can't be Christian and smart," Jindal said during a campaign stop at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny. "That's complete nonsense. The left needs to get out more.”
Several students asked the Republican presidential candidate questions, including his thoughts on President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which provides an exemption from deportation for some children of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States before 16.
Jindal said he thinks Obama's executive order needs to be repealed, but he wouldn't say whether undocumented minors should be deported. He said in the 1980s, politicians tried to fix immigration issues in a big swoop, which he said led to amnesty.
“I think Americans will treat folks here compassionately and pragmatically, but I don't think we can even begin to talk about that until after we've secured the border,” Jindal said.
Jeyson Ramos, a 22-year-old student studying to be a pastor, questioned Jindal about deferred action. As a native from Mexico, he said he liked Jindal's compassion comments, but he disagreed on repealing the executive order.
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“I know people that depend on the deferred action. I think they can keep that until they come up with better immigration reform,” Ramos said. “It's a love and care for their children that they brought them here. They did it the wrong way, but they also know this country is the country of opportunities here.”
Rachel Hardy, 22, works as an administrative assistant at the college. She said Jindal's remarks about The U.S.'s morals stuck out to her and she would consider caucusing for him.
“The United States is really lacking in its morals and that was one thing I really appreciated, that he affirmed what he believed in,” Hardy said.
About the event
SETTING: Jindal spoke at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary.
AUDIENCE: Over 300 people were in attendance.
REACTION: The audience replied "amen" to several of Jindal's comments regarding religious liberty. They also laughed when he made jokes about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
WHAT'S NEXT: Jindal is continuing his campaign Friday with plans to speak with Dallas County Republicans at 6 p.m.. On Saturday, he is expect to speak at the Iowa Grassroots Coalition Summit at 1:30 p.m. in Waterloo.