Jindal to criticize stimulus in GOP response to Obama

 Tapped by the Republican party to deliver the GOP's response to President Barack Obama's congressional address Tuesday night, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal plans to take on the massive stimulus package and emphasize that the U.S. economy can recover.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal will give the GOP response to President Obama's address Tuesday.

"To solve our current problems, Washington must lead," Jindal will say, according to excerpts of his speech released by the Republican National Committee. "But the way to lead is not to raise taxes and put more money and power in the hands of Washington politicians. The way to lead is by empowering you, the American people, because we believe that Americans can do anything."

Obama, in his first speech to a joint session of Congress, is expected to discuss the stimulus and lay out a plans to beat the financial crisis.

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Jindal has been a vocal critic of the $787 stimulus package, highlighting what he says is waste at a White House meeting with governors on Monday. He spoke to a large group of reporters after the session Monday, noting items such as $1 billion in added spending for the national census and $50 million in federal spending for the arts.

Jindal, seen as a possible contender for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, has announced plans to reject $100 million of stimulus funding for his state, saying it would require Louisiana to change its unemployment laws. Several other governors have expressed similar concerns.