Blanco says Louisiana had good response efforts (refuses to blame Bush)

[sabra]

http://www.katc.com/global/story.asp?s=3834945&ClientType=Printable

Blanco says Louisiana had good response efforts

HOUSTON -- Louisiana had a "well thought-out exit plan," in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina and many more lives would have been lost without it, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Sunday.

...

"I personally, and everybody I knew, begged people to leave before the storm came in. We had a very systematic, well thought-out exit plan. Hundreds of thousands left," she said. "We simply didn't have the infrastructure."

Government officials on the city, state and federal levels have been criticized for delays in evacuations and delivery of supplies, communications problems and law enforcement problems that led to looting and violence. Blanco, a Democrat, refused to blame President Bush, who is a Republican.

"He committed help to me," she said. "Help in those critical moments was slow in coming, not through any fault of the president."

[texpatriot2004]

1. Bad move on her part. n/t

[abluelady]

4. Maybe, Maybe Not

Those who would have voted for her are probably not going to be voters in LA anymore!

[applegrove]

21. Her job now is to get the best deal out of the federal government.

She owes it to them. He can bully her into it - but she doesn't do anybody any good if she gets into a cat-fight and the aid stops coming.

Once the help is in place... then she and others can unload. Right now it is the duty of those who do not have the job of trying to better the lot of Katrina victims directly - right now it is up to them to speak.

[okieinpain]

24. wrong, he can't stop the aid. I'm afraid many are just wishing.

[applegrove]

32. He can direct the next 50 Billion to private contractors and give none

to the state & local governments. He can do that. And he likely wants to. She should shut up and let the people not involved in the lives of the victims take the fight to the Repukes.

[okieinpain]

34. I don't think so. she should have come out on his ass on thursday

now she is toast.

[applegrove]

36. They are bullies. They know well how to box someone in. All you

can do is respond with humanity. In this case - she wants to make sure help gets to where it will help and perhaps that some of that help will not be tied to the neocon's agenda and go through her.

Or she could score political points.

I think Katrina and the response speak up pretty well for itself so far.

What would you do?

[okieinpain]

47. I would have fronted his ass. this is typical bully behavior, do this or

else. confront his ass, put it on the line call him on his bluff. oh yeah, he's going to be pissed but he will back up. she had the attention of the whole world, last thing bush needed was to look like he was playing games.

she blew it, now they will bury her.

[howmad1]

30. And that's why you dreamers who think the dems are.......

going to come out swinging and win in 2006 are going to be terribly disappointed. That's twice today dems have proven they haven't got the guts to take a stand. This morning on Stefanapolis, Barack Obama came off as a wimp, and now Blanco. Hey, maybe the dems don't really want to take back America. After all, it's really gonna be hard work straightening out the mess the rethuglicans have gotten us into. Jeeez, I am so frustrated with this democratic party, I am about to go postal.

[applegrove]

31. I think the Democrats are frustrated too. Except they actually have to

deal with the monsters day in and day out and you and I do not. And speaking of speaking truth the power, we have not given the dems enough power or elected officials so they can do anything.

Up to us. After-all they are our representatives. And if they are weak compared with the power-hungry freaks in the GOP - it is because we have been weak.

Up to us to step up. And back their asses. And get angry enough to put a bumper sticker on our cars that says: "Did you vote for Bush/Cheney? PULL OVER - I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU". And then live that way every day of our lives. Because that is what the GOP has done with church & jobs & the MSM.

Up to us to keep the fight going.

I don't think we should sacrifice Obama to the dogs. He is great. He is young. He needs to walk around the bush a few times before he puts himself in the line of fire.

The old dogs in the democratic party have stepped up and they get attacked. And at times their careers are ruined. You and I do not face that.

So let's do our part and work like dogs. And write congressmen & GOP representatives and tell them the jig is up - they either want a diminished United States where congress has no power and must do as Big Oil says or they do not.

[sendero]

44. And as long as they puss out..

... every single time, they will be playing the same game of begging the Repugs for a scrap.

Screw that.

[okieinpain]

35. same here. it's like they are just happy to be there. oh well.

[applegrove]

37. It is like they are on the front line. It is like they have responded in

a staid fashion to this crisis. It frustrates you. But it also frustrates the Rovbots. They are dying for scapegoats since making the people who didn't evacuate from Katrina didn't pan out.

Democrats would be fools to make this political. They have done little. Already Bush & his team have tried hard to pin some of the outrage on them. But is has been frustrating for them. And they search still for the scapegoat to make this alright with their base.

A few days ago it was going to be ghoulish latte drinkers who want to see dead bodies on the T.V. I don't think that will work.

The poor bushites. Roaming alone in a desert with no scapegoat to find. I hope very much the Democrats stay very sober on this.

Cause the truth is making it out there for once.

[KingFlorez]

2. What can she do?

Bush is unlike any other President. He's very vindictive and holds grudges, if she blames him the people of her state won't get the help they need.

[texpatriot2004]

5. If she doesn't blame him she depends on him...he has no honor.

I don't have an anser but I think it's a bad move. Maybe she's in check mate.

[Carni]

6. That's bullshit

She needs to grow a set and fight back--I am sick of this *victim mentality* with our Dem reps.

There comes a time when you need to cut through the bullshit and sacrifice your own political career for the greater good.

Cynthia McKinney did it and look where she is now?

That would be back in biz--I admire her, I don't admire Blanco taking this go along with the flow of bushit's bullshit approach.

It hasn't worked for 5 years and our reps need to get a fucking clue and call a spade a spade.

[okieinpain]

26. I agree, thanks for saying it.

[DoYouEverWonder]

42. It is up to the Senators and Reps to hold the President accountable

It is part of their oversight powers. The Governors and mayors have to accept the leadership in DC because that is who the people supposedly voted for and Congress still supports. They have little choice to do otherwise.

I wouldn't worry so much about what local officials are and aren't doing, what the fuck is Congress doing, other the getting the rubber stamp ready to confirm Roberts?

[Zhade]

12. Tell the truth?

It's not like he's really helping them with the truth unsaid, now is it?

[okieinpain]

25. that's not a good excuse. someone is giving her bad advice.

[Carni]

3. Ok - I'm bailing, she is an ass as far as I am concerned EOM

[ElectroPrincess]

7. Her and the other DINOs who kiss this Administration's butt ...

should NOT be voted for ... I'll stay home before I vote for another gutless wonder Democratic Representative. Maybe when it hurts HARD the remaining spineless Democratic Representatives WILL CATCH A CLUE?

[madaboutharry]

8. This morning on MTP

Mayor Nagin, while admitting mistakes were made also sounded as if he had little if any respect for Gov. Blanco. He was speaking rather loudly through his silence about her.

[...of J.Temperance]

11. Nagin's never liked Blanco, he endorsed her opponent Jindal and

Nagin was pretty much the ONLY one who did endorse the Repuke Bobby Jindal...then again Nagin's actually a Republican anyway.

I'd throw Nagin over to the wolves without a second thought. It's Governor Blanco that we need to support and protect, NOT Nagin, he's going back to the party he really belongs to shortly anyhow, you just watch if he doesn't.

[madaboutharry]

16. That is very interesting information.

It is really troubling that he endorsed Jindal. But, Nagin doesn't sound like he is going back to the republican party. At least he doesn't at the moment. Why would he want to jump on a sinking ship? He actually sounded like he is sick of all of them. I wouldn't be surprised if he washes his hands of politics all together.

[Prodemsouth]

9. Blanco: You will soon find out what happens when you play with

scorpions.

[bluedeminredstate]

10. Looks like

she might have awakened to a horse head next to her pillow.
Frigging unbelievable. Even on vacation and cut off from news reports Bush was just a busy little beaver? I guess the mayor's been lying all along. Well, you know how the people of NO are...
:sarcasm:

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Does the Governor or the Mayor have a choice right now?

If they do or say anything else in public against the fuhrer, he will certainly find multiple ways to take it out on the people of LA. Bush still controls the resources and the money.

Besides it is not up to local and state officials to bring down the President. That is up to Congress and the formerly free press and the rest of us chattering masses.

We should be more upset about Representatives on the Hill who don't take a clear stand on the failure of this administration to lead on purpose.

Please back off the Dems in LA, they've still got enough to deal with down there saving the people of LA. They can't be expected to save the rest of the country.

[ray of light]

19. You said the key words: Bush still controls the resources & $$$$

I'd kiss his feet too just to make sure MY PEOPLE continue to get what they need--even if late!

Anyone who says she should "grow *****" doesn't understand that they can mess things up even more and SLOW DOWN things if she rocks that boat.

MY guess is that everyone in LA wants her to "GET THE JOB DONE' no matter what she has to say to get the money out of the Feds.

[QC]

20. Thanks for bringing some sanity to the discussion.

Bush controls the money and his vindictiveness knows no bounds. It is not worth further endangering the people of Louisiana just so some big talker on a chat board can get a cheap thrill.

[Boneman]

14. Her political carreer is done with that Bush statement. She chickened out

--for what? Fear of retribution from a lame duck?

[kath]

15. Geez, so now both Blanco and Nagin are kissing Chimpy's ass.

Makes me want to :puke:

[Mojorabbit]

17. Perhaps

She is just exhausted and shellshocked. I cannot imagine the stress she has gone through. I say give it time.

[Kenny Banya]

22. Bush has the resources to come up with dirt on people.

Maybe he has something on Nagin and Blanco.
Or maybe he let them know he could invent something.

[hopein08]

18. I'm kind of glad that she is above the level at which Bush and Co. work...

It says something about Democrats. Something good.

[tedzbear]

23. Blanco represents big business, not the people.

I knew there was something I didn't like about Blanco when, on the Tuesday after the hurricane, the only solution she could offer was a day of prayer on Wednesday. She is a typical "corporate whore Democrat" who eats at the same trough as Bush.

[WCGreen]

27. It's a good Bad Cop good Cop....

Mary L blasted the pig fucker

Blanco deflected blame....

Mary can go after him cause she ain't up for reelection for a while....

[Hekate]

28. Ya think maybe she doesn't want to diss the Corleone Family?

Unlike Hayley Barbour, she can't boast of her "personal friendship" with Bush, and he's gone out of his way to demonstrate that he has the power to withhold urgently-needed help. Emperor Bubble Boy literally holds lives in his hands, and he's petty and vindictive, as are the rest of his court.

The momentary satisfaction Governor Blanco might feel if she thumbed her nose at Bush would be far outweighed by the damage he could do to her and her state. I would not want to be in her shoes, and at this time I'm not going to judge how she decides to deal with the BFEE and the Lunatic-in-Chief.

Hekate

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

[CHIMO]

29. Onward Christian Soldiers

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
"Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.


2.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.


3.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.


4.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.


5.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.


6.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred.

[lumpy]

33. Blanco claims in her !st communication

with Bush that she asked for all the support that he could send and that was needed for the disaster recovery. Apparently she was not specific enough about how many troops and what kind of support was needed. Would be interesting to hear that initial conversation between Blanco anmd Bush. Apparently Bush was not prepared to make a decision to send in all available help immediately letting red tape/protocal/whatever stand in the way.

[IndyJones]

38. Her tune certainly changed overnight! I wonder why?

[lumpy]

39. Northcom was ready to respond before the

hurricaine even hit New Orleans. The Northern Command is the response military org. to assist in domestic disasters. They were awaiting for neccesary authority from Bush to deploy. The Command should have been authorized immediately by Bush. Didn't happen.

[ladylibertee]

40. Brown Nose Blanco....Whats up with that?

[bklyncowgirl]

41. Blanco needs to get her side of the story out loud and clear

Who did what and when. In the asbesnce of information she will be scapegoated.

As a liberal and a woman I want to defend her but she has to start speaking out. This does not necessarily mean bashing the president, I can understand the games she has to play with the mis-administration, but she does need to clear some issues up in public.

Remember what a tepid response to the Swift Boat veterans did to Kerry.

[Gin]

43. I liked hearing Ragin rage on TV...then...I wondered about it....

The news about him being a rethug turned dem was enlightening....the picture was becoming clearer....I wonder why he bought a house in Dallas? Maybe he didn't buy it...maybe it was a "gift" from an unknown benefactor....affiliated with the cabal....The bloom is off the rose where he is concerned.

As for Blanco....I am sure she made some mistakes...this is a huge event...maybe her first one of this magnitude...as for the feds...hey...they are the masters of the universe.....their response was....political...planned...and pathetic. (IMHO)

[rfkrfk]

45. agree, Blanco should speak up

if only to tell her side of the story for history.

for example, if she asked Bush on August xx,
to find 2000 more National Guardsmen trained
as Military Police, she should say so.

[demo dutch]

46. Probably an effort of political damage control on Blanco's part