WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS?

[KaryninMiami]

Why aren't they rolling up their sleeves and jumping in to help out here? Not for the fanfare, not to demonstrate that they are taking the higher ground-- but because it's the right thing to do. Why isn't Howard Dean down there helping now? The Neocons are obviously not going to do much- certainly not jumping in and helping directly- why aren't the democrats doing something? Why aren't they saying something about the incompetence of the way this is being managed? Why the silence? What is going on? Where are our leaders?

Please don't say they are still on vacation or I will throw up.

[slackmaster]

1. I gave blood and donated some money to the Red Cross

How about you?

[derby378]

2. Wes Clark

At least it's a start.

[xray s]

3. one Democrat is

Wes Clark

http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/9/1/123536/7907

In short leadership is everything we are not getting from this White House. Instead of challenging us to push ourselves to accomplish great things, we get platitudes. We can do better than that.

I hope you had a chance to read today's editorial in the New York Times, called "Waiting for a Leader." If you haven't read it yet, please take a few minutes to do it. The Times is asking an important question. It's one I've been asking for a long time as well: Where is the leadership in America today?

With respect to Iraq, "stay the course" is only a slogan, not a strategy. What is our strategy for success in Iraq? Where is the leadership?

The president's own Republican party just passed an energy bill which has absolutely no effect on gas prices for now or the forseeable future, and moves us no further along the path to energy independence. Where is the leadership?

Every day American technology and manufacturing skills are sent abroad, along with American jobs. Where is the leadership?

Again, just this past week, there was at least 36 hours notice that a major hurricane was going to hit the Gulf Coast, including likely a devastating blow to New Orleans, which certainly came to pass. The President continued with his regular schedule on Monday and Tuesday in California, Arizona, and Texas to hold some staged Medicare events and enjoy more vacation time, while finally returning to the White House yesterday. The joint task force including National Guard set up by the Pentagon failed to be on the scene in New Orleans in a timely manner to stop the looting and assist in the evacuation. Where is the leadership?

Then just this morning, the President claimed that no one could have anticipated the levee breaches we've seen in New Orleans after Katrina hit. That's not leadership, that's an excuse. In fact, people have predicted this kind of disaster for many years, including President Bush's own FEMA in 2001, when they ranked hurricane flood damage to New Orleans among the three likeliest, most catastrophic disasters facing America. Instead, funding was significantly cut back, leaving key engineering projects on hold. Instead, this Administration focused on the war in Iraq, tax cuts, and private sector economic growth without asking the American people to make needed sacrifices for the good of the country. Again I ask you, where is the leadership?

You've got to keep asking that question. What I learned about leadership is that you have to give people challenging goals and work with them and inspire them to reach them. You've got to have the courage to set goals and make a difference.

Leadership for America starts with the leader's vision of where you want the country to be. And that's the problem we have in America today. We need visionary leaders who can see the promise and potential of our country and take us there. We can find those leaders again -- and we must

[Inspired]

4. With all due respect

blogging on TPM isn't exactly rolling up your sleeves. I got emails from Clinton, Kerry and Edwards websites this week. None of these impressed me much. Just words....we need action.

[blueraven95]

5. well, isn't Clinton there?

I know there has been a bit of flaming over whether or not he is doing anything, but at least he's there.

[Clarkie1]

7. The president is the one who can provide the action.

What would you have these idividuals do?

[LittleClarkie]

6. Wes Clark called Bush on his ineptitude

Reid put Frist on notice that they'd better do something for the victims as opposed to the estate tax stuff planned next week.
Kerry, Clinton, Edwards and others I'm told are making appeals for funds. Landrieu is down there in her home state, doing what she can.

The one thing they can't do is BE THE PRESIDENT. They can lend their voices and do what they can, but the man who has control and who hired the people in charge is Bush.

If I hear one more "Why aren't the Dems telling Bush what he should be doing?" Why would anyone have to tell that man to do his fucking job? He should know that it's time to do his fucking job.

[KoKo]

9. Appeal for Funds is Important...right now these folks need food and

decent shelter. No matter how much money we give right now...it isn't going to get to them because the "Up Front" money already is there in the relief organizations who are NOT providing "Relief" for these folks.

[bklyncowgirl]

8. Jesse Jackson's on the ground in NOLA nt