Katrina looks set to become election issue

[Judi Lynn]

Katrina looks set to become election issue

WASHINGTON, Sept 5 (AFP) - Polemics over Washington's response to Hurricane Katrina look likely to fuel US election campaigns for years, with potential White House contender Hillary Clinton already urging a formal inquiry.

President George W. Bush's administration has drawn fire from both sides of the political divide for its early failure to speed troops and relief supplies to stricken areas where thousands were feared dead.

Even Senate majority leader Bill Frist, a likely contender for the 2008 presidential nomination from Bush's Republican Party, has jumped on the issue, calling for congressional hearings on the government's performance.

Clinton, widely expected to seek the Democratic nomination, entered the fray Sunday with a proposal for a "Katrina Commission" along the lines of the 9/11 panel appointed by Bush to probe the 2001 terror attacks.
(snip/...)

http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read.html?id=4769

[cornermouse]

1. It should

Gross mismanagement that results in people dying is pretty hard to cover up.

[girl gone mad]

2. It makes me sick.

Just like after 9/11, We see dead bodies and the politicians see opportunity.

As if congressional hearings will do any good.

[rkc3]

19. They've done a good job so far. There's nothing like a good front to

appease the unwashed like a toothless commission.

[truthisfreedom]

3. i think she can even make hay with the PR work he's done for the past few

days attempting to blame the locals (read blame the victims) in New Orleans and Louisiana EVEN AFTER their infrastructure was smashed to bits.

[Hekate]

4. Election issue? I should hope to shout.

Hekate

#Why won't the Chickenhawk cross the road?#
#Why won't the Chickenhawk be waitin' on the levee?#

[xchrom]

5. hmmmm?

while i think an investigation is called for -- i'm no hillary fan.

no nafta/cafta, doma, etc repeats.

[Vinca]

6. Of course it should be an election issue.

Didn't Bush and Cheney run on a platform which was, essentially, "we can protect you, they can't?" Their whole schtick has been keeping us safe from the bogeyman. Sadly, they ARE the bogeyman.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. I'm sick of their schtick

:puke:

[jsamuel]

8. There is more to RESPONSIBILITY than elections!

[Betty]

9. I agree there should be an inquiry

but it seems nothing sticks to this asshole.. the 9-11 comisssion didn't result in anything being pinned on him.

[liberal N proud]

10. This must be the #1 issue in 06 elections

all other issues will fall in place and be accounted for if this one issue is presented time and time again to show the incompetence of the republican party to manage this nation.

Finally someone agrees with me, I said this last Friday after I watch one news show bu$h landing as another showed the military trucks roll in to NO

[Centered]

11. Why don't we

Take the money we would spend on an investigation and send it to the affected areas!!

I'll make it easy for you... Everyone in the government dropped the ball on this one.

There will be plenty of time later to point fingers and find out what really happened and when... till then HELP THOSE PEOPLE!!


Centered

[Tanuki]

20. Easy for whom?

You seem very eager to neutralize accountability for this criminal negligence on the part of Bush, his incompetent administration, and the two Republican-controlled houses of Congress. Any criminal investigation is best begun when the evidence is fresh.

[Centered]

22. ummm perhaps you should read the post again

the important thing right now my friend is to help those people. I didn't say anything about not investigating... There are people who need help and they are more important right now. There is no way in hell that there wont be an investigation but for now everyone needs to help the people who lost everything.

And let's be honest about it... everyone did drop the ball. From the local government all the way to the top. Don't delude yourself into thinking that only republicans are to blame. The events leading up to this disaster are not the fault of the federal government. Is the Governor of LA blameless? There will be an investigation and we will find out what really happened and when... but right now there are more important things to do.

Besides... I'd rather have a commission begin late next year so it will conclude about the same time Cheney makes his presidential bid... wouldn't you? Or are you too eager to target a president in his final term and that we blow it for the next 8 years?

didn't think so... and I accept your apology for insinuating I want to give Bush a pass on this.


Centered

[Benhurst]

27. No, this is the Republican's baby.

Everybody didn't drop the ball. George Walker Bush and the Bush Crime Family dropped this one.

[Centered]

30. maybe...

I respect your position but I personally believe it's more than the fed... I also blame the slow response on more than the administration. But the point of my post was that there are more important things to deal with right now.

I wish more congressmen and senators would take a look at Al Gore chartering a plane with his own money to save people and get their asses in gear. Instead of sitting back and pointing fingers they should be helping those people. As I said there is plenty of time for hearings... people first. I applaud the efforts of everyone who is helping however they can (Dems and Reps) but there are so many in positions to help who aren't... unless the cameras are rolling.

The people in NO don't care who's fault this is right now, they want to know where their families are and if they are safe. I'm personally worried that next week we may hear about rafts with bodies floating in the gulf waiting for help that never came in time. I can barely imagine the hell they went through and this will take months if not years to restore normalcy to their lives.

People before politics and that is something I'm sure we can all agree on.

[zanne]

12. People said they voted for Bush because he made them feel "safe"

Remember that? It was said that his slight lead in the polls was because Americans felt insecure since 9/11 and Bush made them feel "safe". I don't think they feel "safe" anymore, and if the Dems took advantage of an opportunity for once, they'd capitalize on that. The next time we have a "code orange", people are going to be VERY nervous about the government's readiness.

[JugDack]

18. I'm with you part way...

People don't feel safe anymore, but that's why they'll continue to back Bush. Because changing "horses" mid-stream would make things even less safe! The unknown is always more frightening than even a known evil.

[olddad56]

13. election issues are irrelevant in rigged elections.

[underpants]

14. LACK OF LEADERSHIP LACK OF LEADERSHIP LACK OF LEADERSHIP

Hit them where it hurts

[ThatsMyBarack]

15. *Question--What If....?*

....Katrina had hit NOLA at this same time *last year?* Do you think we'd might have *Kerry* for president right now? Discuss!

[Demeter]

16. Sadly, Yes.

Mother Nature did us no favors last year.

[enigma000]

21. Series of Hurricanes in Florida

The Hurricane devestation last year in Florida gave Bush opportunities to campaign there on official business.

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_258030.html

If you're feeling bad, there's going to be a tendency to blame the person or party that's in power. On the other hand, if help is forthcoming, it's very likely that you're going to be grateful to whoever provides it," said George Loewenstein

I imagine the Republicans would have taken a more election minded approach to the Katrina hurricane if it happened last year at this time.

[JugDack]

17. Yeah, AGAINST Dems, though

The spin will be that Dems are trying to take political advantage of people suffering and dying. THAT will stick to us far more than the cries of incompetence or willful neglect will stick to Bushco. It's already happening. "More than enough blame to go around".

[henslee]

23. If it is set to become an election issue - this bodes well for Gen. Clarke

[mainegreen]

24. Captain Obvious Strikes Again!

[shavedape]

25. damn right its an election issue!

and well it should be.

[chaumont58]

26. The White House is in full campaign mode right now

For no other reason than that Rove and company know people are going to remember what was done here, as Mr Lincoln might have said.

[Raiden]

28. Katrina was (is) a National Security issue

If we cannot deal with natural disasters, how can we be expected to deal with terrorist attacks. It also puts the spotlight on what's wrong with pork spending and how we should reconsider our financial responsibilities.

[SoCalDem]

29. Geeeee.. do ya think???

The world has gone mad:cry: