A US election that from the outset was likely to produce either the first female or the first African-American nominee for president from a major political party may, if rumour is to believed, witness another first. Speculation is rife that Indian-American Piyush ‘Bobby’ Jindal could be John McCain’s choice for the Republican vice-presidential nominee.

Columnist William Kristol raised this possibility this week in his column in The New York Times, adding to speculation by a chorus of conservative pundits. According to Kristol, at least four McCain staff members mentioned Jindal, the 36-year-old governor of Louisiana, as a possible vice-presidential candidate. Jindal’s appearances on several high-profile television talk shows in recent weeks appeared to substantiate the rumours, despite his repeated assertions that he was not interested in the vice-president’s job.

In many ways, Jindal embodies the perfect cocktail of characteristics and experience to balance McCain on the Republican ticket: youth, social conservatism, executive experience, racial diversity and Southernness.

Jindal is almost half McCain’s age, is staunchly conservative on social issues, and has some executive experience, having spent just over three months as governor in addition to a stint as an assistant secretary of health and human services. He brings racial diversity to a party that is often criticised for not being inclusive of minorities, and brings geographic balance to a campaign that will badly need Southern votes in November.

Given this fortunate combination of attributes, in addition to his meteoric rise and visible charisma, it is no surprise that many Republicans are hailing Jindal as the future of the party. Influential conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh repeatedly described Jindal as ‘the next Ronald Reagan’ in a February broadcast.

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