The Gulf of Mexico oil spill may be giving Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal a second chance to establish his reputation as a political whiz kid with a shot at becoming president.

Nearly every day he's out in Louisiana's marshes and barrier islands, assuring the reporters tagging along that he and other officials have taken matters into their own hands.

He's been a frequent and loud critic of the response from BP PLC and President Barack Obama, saying it's been far too slow.

The 38-year-old Jindal's national profile has faded since February 2009, when he delivered the Republican Party's rebuttal of Obama's first speech to Congress. He was panned widely for the sing-songy address.