By Brad Bumsted

Published: Saturday, September 29, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, September 29, 2012

CAMP HILL — President Obama is the most liberal and incompetent president since Jimmy Carter, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal told Pennsylvania Republicans on Friday night.

Obama has broken promises on spending, debt and the economy, said Jindal, the featured speaker at the Republicans' fall dinner.

But Obama is a nice guy and good family man, said Jindal, adding that he meant no disrespect to Carter.

Jindal served the party faithful the “red meat” it wants 38 days before the presidential election.

“Clearly, the president has done his best. Clearly, his best is not good enough,” Jindal said.

He cited unemployment that has not dipped below 8 percent, 23 million Americans out of work and $16 trillion in national debt.

Jindal said the nation needs conservative leadership to control spending as he and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett have done in their states.

“We can't afford another four more years of President Obama in the White House and mortgaging our children's and grandchildren's futures,” Jindal said.

“By any standard, this economy is dong terribly,” Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Allentown, told the state committee in a video.

“I'm scared. I'm truly scared of where this country is going,” Senate candidate Tom Smith of Armstrong County told party leaders. The party did not endorse him in the primary.

Smith, a businessman who spent millions of his own money to win the primary and has closed the gap in some polls against Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, received a standing ovation when he was introduced.

“Can you imagine four more years (of Obama)?” Smith said, evoking boos and jeers from the crowd.

“We're going to do something about that. Gov. (Mitt) Romney is precisely the right person at precisely the right point in time to get this country turned around.”

GOP Chairman Rob Gleason said he is “a lot more bullish” on Smith's chances of defeating Casey.

“The TV has really propelled Tom Smith into this election,” Gleason said, referring to Smith's paid ads.

Gleason said he met with Romney in Philadelphia on Friday.

“I'm more convinced than ever (he'll win,)” the chairman said.

“Clearly, the intensity that existed (for Obama in 2008) isn't there,” said Mike Barley, the state GOP's executive director.

Brad Bumsted is state Capitol reporterfor Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 717-787-1405 or bbumsted@tribweb.com.

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