Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal delivered a clunker of a Republican response to last night’s address by President Barack Obama. Not only did the up-and-coming GOP pol attempt serve the American public the same stale conservative line that proved ineffective under Bush — that only the conservatives know what kinds of tax cuts will stimulate growth — the man also got his facts wrong.

He’s already been taken to task for his derision of volcano monitoring. But before he mocked that project, which could save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in property damage, Jindal joked on a proposed light rail line between Las Vegas and Anaheim.

I’d just like to point out, to everyone who would dismiss this project, that there is in fact a lot of traffic between Southern California and Las Vegas. Every weekend thousands of tourists clog the freeways into town. I think a high-speed train connecting the cities would not only be very popular, but would also relieve congestion. Of course, I’m not a transportation planner, just a reluctant driver. Give me high-speed train transit any day and I’d leave my car at home.

Of course, Gov. Jindal would have you believe the whole thing is just a publicly subsidized amusement ride, a roller coaster and open bar, all rolled into one. We only wish that were true. In truth, light rail between Anaheim and Las Vegas could be a good thing, even if it’s not quite as vital as making sure Americans aren’t buried by magma.