McCain Knocks Bush's Response To Katrina

GOP Candidate Tours New Orleans, Says Residents' Plight Will Not Be Forgotten

(AP)  Republican presidential candidate John McCain took stock of still-hurricane-damaged areas of New Orleans on Thursday and declared that if the disaster had happened on his watch, he would have immediately landed his plane at the nearest Air Force base, drawing a sharp contrast to President Bush's handling of the tragedy.

McCain called the response to Katrina "a perfect storm" of mismanagement by federal, state and local governments.

The Arizona senator walked a few blocks of the hard-hit Lower 9th Ward, passing tidy rebuilt stucco houses standing next to abandoned structures, their facades still spray-painted with the markings of rescue workers who went door to door nearly three years ago searching for bodies. FEMA trailers still dot the neighborhood. McCain said his teenage daughter Bridget had been there with a volunteer youth group a few weeks ago to help in the recovery.

"Never again, never again, will a disaster of this nature be handled in the disgraceful way it was handled," McCain declared.

He made the same pledge over and over during the day: "I promise you, never again."

McCain is campaigning this week in what he calls "forgotten" areas of the country, and he assured New Orleans residents that their situation was not lost on him.

"I've been going to places that are perhaps very cynical about government," he told students during a town hall at Xavier University. Trying to reach out for the votes of Democrats and independents, he pledged to be a president who would take action to erase that cynicism.

"As president of the United States, I'm not going to leave anybody behind," he said.

He said that beyond the most immediate needs of people in New Orleans, such as affordable housing, the top priorities now were to achieve the government's goal to fortify the city against 100-year storms by 2011, and to move beyond that find a way to protect the region against Category 5 hurricanes.

On the latter issue, he said, "It's time to end the studies and it's time to act."

McCain was unsparing in his criticism of the Bush administration on Katrina, and said members of Congress must share some of the blame for putting money into pork-barrel projects when those dollars should have been used to fortify the region against disaster. He said his record was clean on that count, with a consistent opposition to wasteful spending.

Without mentioning Mr. Bush directly, McCain said that when Katrina struck, "If I had been president, I would have ordered the plane landed at the nearest base and I'd of been over here." He repeated that later, saying, "I would've landed my airplane at the nearest Air Force base and come over personally."

McCain said the missteps of the Bush administration were well chronicled and undisputed, citing unqualified leaders, poor communication and a failure to recognize the dimensions of the problem.

In a conversation with reporters aboard his Straight Talk Express bus, McCain rejected the notion that he ran any risk of guilt by association with the Bush administration in coming to New Orleans, saying voters would judge him on his own record, not that of the current Republican president.

Democrats, however, were happy to draw a connection.

The Democratic National Committee said in a statement that McCain had opposed emergency assistance to the Gulf Coast in Katrina's aftermath and predicted he would be "more of the same Bush-Brownie inaction for the Gulf Coast. And that's the last thing Louisiana — or the rest of America — needs."

McCain's "call to action" tour this week is designed to demonstrate that he is a different kind of Republican, reaching out to all and ready to take action to help those in need. Earlier stops on his tour included Selma, Ala., site of a famed civil rights battle; a shuttered steel mill in Youngstown, Ohio, and a tiny coal town in Kentucky where President Johnson declared war on poverty.

Katrina, the most costly natural disaster ever to strike the United States, roared ashore in August 2005, killing more than 1,800 people and displacing more than 250,000. Total damages were estimated to be around $125 billion. The recovery has been uneven.

Now, New Orleans is repopulating, port business has steadily improved and sales tax revenues are near normal. But the city still faces problems with crime, homelessness and frustrations about the pace of rebuilding efforts. Overall, repopulation in the region remains slow and many major infrastructure repairs have yet to be done, according to a new Brookings Institution report.

[quetzal0666]

he would have immediately landed his plane at the nearest Air Force base. ...

oohh no.. he wrecked his last plane......

McCain votes and vow to spend money rebuilding Iraq,but dont want to spend on rebuilding the 9th ward of New Orleans, in THIS country. whats wrong with this picture? and he wants MY vote? I dont think so.

[samthetvcat]

-----"Without mentioning Mr. Bush directly, McCain said that when Katrina struck, "If I had been president, I would have ordered the plane landed at the nearest base and I''d of been over here." He repeated that later, saying, "I would''ve landed my airplane at the nearest Air Force base and come over personally."-----

And yet there are no black people in the picture up above . . . next McCain''s going to be touting the success of the reconstruction effort, much like he was praising the gains of that Baghdad carpet market he couldn''t visit the next time around . . .

Hard to be in touch when you''re getting close . . . but not THAT close . . .

[watcher269-2009]

All this is well and good except for the fact that he wants to continue the war and there wouldn''t be any MONEY to help anyone in the United States except for Florida and Texas!

No Money - more tax breaks for the Rich and MORE WAR!

That''s what McSame believe in.

Also, Where was McShame when Katrina happened?? Probably with Cheney buying a House next to Rumsfeld!

F''in Hypocrite!

Actions - not words used to mean something in this country - now its all words and no substance!

McSame cares more about Iraq then the United States - just like the GOP and ALL Republicans!

[watcher269-2009]

Republican Sen. John McCain, campaigning through poverty-stricken cities and towns, said Wednesday he opposes a Senate bill that seeks equal pay for women because it would lead to more lawsuits.

Senate Republicans killed the bill Wednesday night on a 56-42 vote that denied the measure the 60 votes needed to advance it to full debate and a vote. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had delayed the vote to give McCain''s Democratic rivals, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, time to return to Washington to support the measure, which would make it easier for women to sue their employers for pay discrimination.

McCain skipped the vote to campaign in New Orleans.

"I am all in favor of pay equity for women, but this kind of legislation, as is typical of what''s being proposed by my friends on the other side of the aisle, opens us up to lawsuits for all kinds of problems," the expected GOP presidential nominee told reporters. "This is government playing a much, much greater role in the business of a private enterprise system."

[samthetvcat]

watcher269, did you hear about how he called is wife a ''c*nt'' once in front of all his staff?

Gross . . .

[watcher269-2009]

watcher269, did you hear about how he called is wife a ''''c*nt'''' once in front of all his staff?

Gross . . .

Posted by SamTheTVCat

--------------


Freudian slip?

[ixoye_02]

LibH8er seems to forget that one of America''s cities was seriously damaged with Katrina. I guess LibH8er doesn''t care about our Homeland. America is strong as we are united and unified around our strengths. Unfortunately one of America''s greatest weaknesses are the "Have''s" scoffing at those who "Have not". Is it only a matter of people''s inability to have property insurance the reason for scoffing at the poor and almost poor who lost their homes? LibH8er should also call himself/herself "AmericanH8er" and is no better than a terrorist who wants to see Americans suffer.

[samthetvcat]

---"Freudian slip?"---
Posted by watcher269

I don''t want to get too much inside McSame''s mind . . . gross no matter what, eeew! :p

[samthetvcat]

-----"You are a top notch assclown RINO!!!!"-----
Posted by LibH8er

He''s got the uncanny knack of pissing all of us on the right and the left all at the same time, doesn''t he . . . the first word that came to mind for me was ''impotent'', but then I thought that was too mean . . . change that to ineffectual leadership . . .

[libh8er]

but then I thought that was too mean . . . change that to ineffectual leadership . . .
Posted by SamTheTVCat at 04:50 PM : Apr 24, 2008

I thought he was done for last summer. His comeback, though amazing, was nothing short of depressing. The press helped guide him in to the nominee slot. I just can''t bring myself to vote for him.

[emelder]

I am a supporter of Barack Obama ... but when I read of McCain''s New Orleans remarks, I am encouraged by his leadership. I''ve long thought our response to Karina was a low-water mark (!) for Bush. My youngest, son, has been down there three times now, each time taking along with him 100 high schoolers from his church. Good for you John McCain ... this is indeed the way to separate yourself from a very ineffective President (who surrounded himself with ineffective, almost evil, associates). Keep up the good work!

[samthetvcat]

LibH8er, Hillary versus McCain was my worst case scenario . . . how did this happen?

[krisd999-2009]

Last Saturday, the delegates elected to the state convention from my county are 73 out of 86 for Ron Paul and I hear the same thing is happening in many other counties. I think most Huckabee delegates will go for Ron Paul any time before McCain. McCain might have a surprise coming.

[berthaw51]

Don''t be so easily taken in. McCain or McSame will say anything to get into office. It is easier to say what you would have done after the fact. He may not have responded any better than Bush. Those black people in New Orleans did not receive all the money that was collected on their behalfs. The American government pull another con. We have people that have lived in trailers with lung infections due to staying in the FEMA trailers. What they paid for those trailers and the temporary crusise ships that they lease that most of the people refused to live in they could have purchased home for them. Don''t say those black people took their money and did nothing. That is not what really happened.

[berthaw51]

Some of those hard working blacks had insurance but the insurance companies scammed them and refused to pay. What is the government going to do about that. Absolutely nothing. I am so tired of this media BS. The media knows all the stuff that the Clintons are still involved in and McSame does not have a clue about what the average American is going through. That is why he is touring this poor disadvantage areas so he can conjure up a campaign speech.

[oscarez]

Looks like old John is trying to get his nose out of Bush''s back side.

[my5200-2009]

McCain is just playing politics. Beware of the wolf in sheep''s clothing. He is a warmonger who will use many of the same administration as Bush and will do nothing to help people that are losing their homes, he will do nothing to help people who cannot afford medical care. He will however, make sure that big business gets more money to spend outside our country.

[providence_a]

Can you see the battle cry for our next president? The smoke and ashes that lay everywhere can you see it. Where is the morality where is the justice where is the love nourished where individuals can find healing through the right sources of help for our country? I do not care who is president I only care that this individual would allow God and not themselves to figure out the solutions needed to make our country stand as it never stand before. Will you ask God with me for this?

[providence_a]

The Day They Tried To Kill George?
News flash the year 1755! George Washington%u2019s army ambushed loses 714 men out of 1300 men. 85 American and British officers slain George is the last officer standing.
As one witness puts it %u201CIt was a massacre%u201D. George states in a letter to His brother,
%u201CBy the all powerful dispositions of providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I have four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot out from under me.%u201D George would state that God had protected Him!
We go through a time warp 15 years later in 1770. George and James Craig go to a settlement, which is at the site of the previous battle. An old Indian who was the chief at the battle years earlier wanted to meet the man whom God protected. %u201CFor you see%u201D the chief said, %u201Cwhen we were in battle I told all my braves to kill all the officers. I saw you were an officer. I took aim and shot and nothing happen I took aim again and nothing happen. I took aim yet again and nothing happen to you. I did this for a total of 17 times. After that I told all the men cease firing at Him the Great Spirit is protecting Him.%u201D
So you see %u201CI have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle%u2026I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.%u201D

Hello my name is George Washington do you know Jesus?

[skyk-2009]

LOL This loser sit''s on his hands while the Bush Administration puts losers like Brownie in charge of FEMA and now tells people he''d have done things differently. He didn''t do his job the FIRST time, now who can say he will the second one??

[skyk-2009]

I am a supporter of Barack Obama ... but when I read of McCain''''s New Orleans remarks, I am encouraged by his leadership. I''''ve long thought our response to Karina was a low-water mark (!) for Bush. My youngest, son, has been down there three times now, each time taking along with him 100 high schoolers from his church. Good for you John McCain ... this is indeed the way to separate yourself from a very ineffective President (who surrounded himself with ineffective, almost evil, associates). Keep up the good work!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by emelder at 04:54 PM : Apr 24, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL YOU believed him?? ROFLMAO

[ixoye_02]

I am not sure how McCain can avoid criticism over the mess in New Orleans. Certainly Bush''s leadership in handling the Katrina disaster was poor. But the republican congress at the time was also complicit. The republicans were in power and controlled the government. And McCain was one of the republican leaders in congress that didn''t use their influence to do something even as the president was lacking in aid response. McCain and his colleagues stood by and let Brownie handle everything. So, instead of "Never Again", it should be "Why do you not influence your colleagues who were in power to do something even as people were waiting for Bush to send relief? McCain, you are not a very convincing leader..thank you for your service to our country but your ideas and actions are wanting. The American people do not need another leader who will continue the policies of George Bush II

[downtowner97]

What those people in New Orleans needed was a trained, ready National Guard. We didn''t have enough National Guard members in the area because so many had been shipped to Iraq. The National Guard is a very important force to help people in disasters, and should never be used in another country.

If McCain wants to keep troops in Iraq at a level where they can defend themselves for 100 years as he says we need to, he''s going to need to draft. Since men and women fight now, that draft would have to include young women. When rich white men''s daughters start getting drafted and sent to Iraq, there''s going to be some strong opposition to wars in general.

[r8erluvr-2009]

And McCain plays it just as we knew he would...playing "after-the-fact" where it is always easier to say and do a different thing!
What a moronic reply--"NEVER AGAIN!"
And I say to all who are intelligent, "NEVER AGAIN!"
NEVER AGAIN will I believe that a ''Bushie'' clone be in control!

[Syndicate]

Bush should get knocked on the Katrina response. I watched that on my TV and I could have ran a better response than he did. But their was also a lot of misinformation. The superdome''s basements were stalked with food but no one knew. Their weren''t any snippers either. Although it would have been nice if their had been at least one to shoot that police chief who closed the bridge and refused to help people.

I think McCain needs to learn two lessons from Katrina. thew Democrats should heed this advice also. First do not depend on the local and state governments to do their jobs. Second watch the news. You are not going to be in touch with the American people unless you spend an hour everyday watching the news. With Tivo you only need 40 minutes. The POTUS gets daily breifings but they should take advantage of the second opinion offered by the news services especially on domestic matters.

[greatdrivew]

McCain is recycling the "compassionate conservative" mantra? That''s the funniest thing I''ve heard all day!!

We the People see through the GOP and its say-anything ploys. It''s time to turn the page on these people.

[garsh548]

It''s a shame that the president thinks there''s nothing more to be done in New Orleans. His actions speaks volumes. Where is the love?

[likeitis5050]

And knocks any attempt to force Obama to deal with his support of racist Wright...he doesn''t want to be president...wus.

[garsh548]

Mr. McCain is an interesting person and is showing some back bone. I think he will be his own boss. His decisions, I think will be his own.

[lovegetpeace]

I thought McCain was a Republican. He sounds more like a Real Democrat. If he continues like that, I may vote for him.

[garsh548]

I like that Mr. McCain stood up to N.C. GOP.

[garsh548]

lovegetpeace, I agree with you.

[lovegetpeace]

My highest regards for a person like McCain who is routing the Republican Party away from the NeoCons. McCain is showing no respect for the Idiot NeoCons. That impresses me.

[kansas1946]

McCain called the response to Katrina "a perfect storm" of mismanagement by federal, state and local governments.
***********************************

Gosh, ya'' think?? Now if he also states that Iraq was a "storm of mismanagement" he might get somewhere.

[lovegetpeace]

If McCain say publicly the Iraq Invasion/War is a mistake, he got my vote on Nov 4, 2008

[lastdance116]

Spammers have Seized - The CBS News
Web Site away fromThe CBS News Management - AGAIN

Spammers posting Spam and Profanity - 24/7 on CBS ....
CBS News Management Approved Spam -

CBS News Seized By Chronic - Habitual Spammers - Again !
Chasing Away Serious Posters and former Patrons of CBS ...
Commercial Advertisers should take more Consideration in the Money they Spend
On the Incompetent and Inept - CBS News Management
_____________
Shows how delusional you are.
Posted by speakinup at 08:00 PM : Apr 24, 2008
________
CAN YOU READ ?
Posted by speakinup at 07:58 PM : Apr 24, 2008
_________
Go join the Syrian relief, IOWEIGN. We don''''t need aholes like you on our side.
Posted by speakinup at 07:55 PM : Apr 24, 2008
________
So in the venacular - bugger off - both you and the camel you road into town, AHMED!!!
Posted by speakinup at 07:54 PM : Apr 24, 2008
________
Yeah - dems are so fuggin gullible!
Posted by speakinup at 07:40 PM : Apr 24, 2008
_________
jmcgilvray - I''''d take the 60-80 a week to be rid of far left liberals.
Posted by speakinup at 07:35 PM : Apr 24, 2008
________
I speak my mind - coward.
Posted by speakinup at 08:07 PM : Apr 24, 2008

[rebelscout]

The problem is McCain can''t rip the war or he faces a whole myraid of problems from the neocons.

[hungry1968]

2-1/2 years later and he JUST NOW NOTICED HOW TERRIBLE THE RESPONSE WAS?!?!?!

Talk about out of touch!!!!

[likeitis5050]

People who think McCain is ''4more years of Bush'' are mistaken. We actually have 3 democrats running...2 are on record for aiming at jacking taxes up and reducing the nation to 2 classes...the poor living guilt-free off the middle class and the middle class. The rich will soon be history. The remaining democrat will follow suit with the exception of letting the rich hang around to feed the middle class who work for the poor living guilt-free off everyone else. Otherwise...they''re all the same. Illegals will have all the freedom they desire without fear of penalties...jobs will continue to be handed off to other countries...no drilling or any progress toward getting off foreign oil...relax. It''s just a question of which democrat.

[mcvet]

Just how disgusting is this? NOW that he needs people''s votes this low life is saying Bush screwed up. What was he doing when it was ACTUALLY going on. What was he doing as a leader of the senate when democrats were demanding accountability? He was saying it was okay and that the administration was doing a good job. Talk about Flip Flop... This guy has to be the KING of the hill on that! Sieg Heil Bush

[giantrobot2]

*** BREAKING NEWS ***

A U.S. News report released on April 16, 2008 puts Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt and Mike Huckabee on the same level.

"John McCain''s big economic speech today was sort of one part Ronald Reagan (cut taxes, cut spending), one part Mike Huckabee (help for workers; Main Street is as important as Wall Street), and one part Teddy Roosevelt (criticism of "reckless CEOs and speculators").

Huckabee''s rapid rise in the Presidential race is capturing the hearts and minds millions of ordinary people all around America.

To be achieve this prestigous level so soon with history''s greatest U.S. Presidents in such a remarkable short time period is an outstanding accomplishment for Mike Huckabee.

The alliance between McCain and Huckabee 08 ticket has offically begun. Huckabee''s new PAC web site to promote McCain. And McCain calling Wall Street "greedy", was Mike''s central theme of those on Main Street vs Wall Street.

The alliance between these two Honorable men started back in December when they worked together to force Romney out of the picture.

The alliance between these two men started way before the campaign started last year. In effect both John McCain and Mike Huckabee are related. Mike Huckabee''s wife Janet Huckabee''s wife''s maiden name is McCain too. During the debates it was clear both McCain and Huckabee backed each other to squeeze out all the other candidates. By summer McCain will be officially announcing Huckabee as his VP.

[mcvet]

If McCain say publicly the Iraq Invasion/War is a mistake, he got my vote on Nov 4, 2008


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by lovegetpeace at 08:11 PM : Apr 24, 2008
+ report abuse

That''s the ONLY thing that matters to you? If that''s the case YOU deserve to have your job shipped to a third world country and to pay $5.00 a gal. for gas!! Sieg Heil Bush

[cyberus-2009]

----
Spammers have Seized - The CBS News
Web Site away fromThe CBS News Management - AGAIN

Posted by lastdance116
-----

While sad but true that CBS seems to be ambivalent about the spam. both by not filtering repeat spam but going home at 5pm letting it run wild overnite .... spamming isn''t a cure for spam.

[mcvet]

The alliance between these two Honorable men started back in December when they worked together to force Romney out of the picture.

The alliance between these two men started way before the campaign started last year. In effect both John McCain and Mike Huckabee are related. Mike Huckabee''''s wife Janet Huckabee''''s wife''''s maiden name is McCain too. During the debates it was clear both McCain and Huckabee backed each other to squeeze out all the other candidates. By summer McCain will be officially announcing Huckabee as his VP.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by giantrobot2 at 09:09 PM : Apr 24, 2008
+ report abuse

Well tell us sparky! What do these two "Honorable" men plan on doing about Iraq? How do they propose to PAY for it? Then there''s the Debt.. 9.3 TRILLION and growing at the rate of 1 MILLION a minute. What do they propose to do about that? Hey then there''s the VERY unfair trade agreements that force American Workers to compete against 30 Cents a DAY in wages. What do they propose to do about that? What about Social Security? Medicare? Health Care? You see Sparky the Fascist have been telling us not to worry about our troubles... just elect them because they are "Honorable" men for so long the Problems are NOW mountains and getting larger by the sec. Sieg Heil Bush

[jerr11]

Here''s a public service announcement:

Make sure you guys check out "Scrapbook from Hell" coming soon to National Geographic channel.

It''s the precursor to the Bush White House:

Jenna getting married.

The proud dad dancing in New Orleans.

But when they''re not at play, these neocons, like the nazi SS are sending young men and women to die in the hellhole called Iraq!

Three more victims today, the count continues.

Meanwhile, let the wedding party begin!

[randynason]

How can Johnny say that about his girlfriend Georgina? What a louse!

[watcher269-2009]

Posted by LibH8er

------------

Cheney - Is that YOU?

[whitepicks2]

McCain has embraced John Hagee''s endorsement. Hagee on the September 18, 2006, edition of National Public Radio''s Fresh Air, said Hurricane Katrina was an act of God, punishing New Orleans for ''a level of sin that was offensive to God.'' He referred to a "homosexual parade" held on the date the hurricane struck and this was proof ''of the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans.'', even though the Southern Decadence parade was scheduled for the following week and the primary gay neighborhoods, the French Quarter and the Marigny, were spared the flooding and destruction. Another reason for God''s wrath, Hagee claims, was the Bush administration''s pressure on Israel to abandon settlements and the associated land. Therefore, God took American land in a ''*** for tat'' exchange.

[whitepicks2]

McCain has embraced John Hagee''s endorsement. Hagee on the September 18, 2006, edition of National Public Radio''s Fresh Air, said Hurricane Katrina was an act of God, punishing New Orleans for ''a level of sin that was offensive to God.'' He referred to a ''homosexual parade'' held on the date the hurricane struck and this was proof ''of the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans.'', even though the Southern Decadence parade was scheduled for the following week and the primary gay neighborhoods, the French Quarter and the Marigny, were spared the flooding and destruction. Another reason for God''s wrath, Hagee claims, was the Bush administration''s pressure on Israel to abandon settlements and the associated land. Therefore, God took American land in a ''t!t for tat'' exchange.