Is it about race, or is it partisan politics (Blanco vs. Barbour)?

[question everything]

United by Katrina, Divided by Assessment

As Mississippi Gov. Barbour Praises Federal Response, Louisiana's Blanco Seeks More Aid

By JEANNE CUMMINGS
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
September 2, 2005; Page A4


(snip)

Ms. Blanco's office has been critical of the federal government's response amid heart-breaking images of stranded families in New Orleans. Yesterday, she appealed to President Bush to send soldiers to the Big Easy so police and national guardsmen can patrol the streets. "Time is of the essence," she said.

Mr. Barbour, in contrast, has strongly defended the Bush administration, saying federal help was in the state immediately after Katrina blew out. When pressed with questions about whether the federal response has been inadequate, he asked: "Is this an argument or an interview?"

(snip)

Ms. Blanco has been credited with running a clean administration in a state where political corruption is legendary. She has recruited new business and traveled to Cuba to protect Louisiana's rice exports to that nation. The Democratic governor tangled with Bush administration officials over emergency help even before Katrina hit. Louisiana sought relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damage caused by Tropical Storm Cindy in July. Despite intervention by the state's U.S. senators and House members, FEMA hadn't responded to that request when Katrina came crashing through. Mr. Barbour's political pedigree and track record suggest he might have had more success with such a request. He has long been a Washington insider, close to the president, powerful lawmakers and key aides on Capitol Hill and the White House.

(snip)

Mr. Barbour is only the second Republican governor elected in Mississippi since Reconstruction. After taking office, he pushed through a Democratic legislature a conservative agenda that has delighted party activists and pushed his name onto the list of potential 2008 White House contenders. His initiatives include limiting jury awards and passing four antiabortion rights measures in 2004 alone. Americans United for Life, an antiabortion group, deemed Mississippi "the safest place in America for an unborn child."

But a cost-saving proposal that would have eliminated the eligibility of about 65,000 individuals for Medicaid services energized opponents. A judge blocked Mr. Barbour from shrinking the rolls. Ultimately, the plan was dropped while the Legislature passed a measure that limited to five the number of prescription drugs most Medicaid recipients could receive -- only two of which could be name brands.

(snip)

Write to Jeanne Cummings at [e-mail]

URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB112562461701529870,00.html (subscription)

[3waygeek]

1. A little from column A...

and a little from column B.

[iamjoy]

2. Only Republican Governors Get Help

Is that it?

[question everything]

3. Especially when they are brothers

From http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4572235


The scene was starkly different in Florida a year ago, after Hurricanes Charley and Frances roared in. Then, federal agencies pulled off a tour-de-force rescue, quickly pouring in billions of dollars to help distressed residents and more still after two more storms, Ivan and Jeanne, followed. President Bush visited the scene within 48 hours. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's brother, took personal responsibility for managing much of the relief effort. While Floridians experienced delays and frustrations, FEMA generally received high marks. Tractor-trailers with ice, water and other supplies waited at the state border until the storms passed and then rushed to the hardest-hit areas. National Guard troops were on the scene quickly directing traffic, keeping looters out of damaged neighborhoods and throwing ice in people's car trunks. Aid stations opened to serve food and take applications for cash grants.