Posted on 09/01/2005 9:31:38 AM PDT by InvisibleChurch
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005 10:52 a.m. EDT Teary Gov. Kathleen Blanco 'Overwhelmed'
The performance of Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco in the first days after the Katrina disaster has some wondering whether she's up to the daunting task of guiding her state as its largest city struggles to recover.
Blanco "has come across as a nice person," noted the New York Post's Deborah Orin, but she seems "overwhelmed instead of inspiring."
Gov. Blanco did little to reassure observers during a press conference on Tuesday, when she seemed on the verge of bursting into tears. "The magnitude of the situation is untenable," she told reporters. "It's just heartbreaking."
The next day Blanco told ABC's "Good Morning America": "This whole situation is totally overwhelming."
Louisiana Democrats are putting the best face possible on Blanco's performance.
"She's obviously affected tremendously by the emotional impact of the devastation," former Sen. John Breaux told the Washington Post. "I think she's doing everything humanly possible to bring it together."
Asked whether Blanco sounded discouraged by the havoc wrought by Katrina, Breaux told the paper: "No, I think she was on top of it. But considering the circumstances, with a whole city underwater, it's hard to be calm, cool and collected."
Some compared the beleaguered governor to her Mississippi counterpart, Haley Barbour - who has so far offered a more reassuring presence.
Noted Orin: Gov. Barbour vowed early on to deal "aggressively and ruthlessly" with looters in his state.
Gov. Blanco, on the other hand, intitially suggested that stopping rampant looting in New Orleans wasn't a priority, telling reporters Tuesday: "We dont like looters one bit, but first and foremost is search and rescue.
As conditions continued to deteriorate, however, Blanco changed her tune, announcing late Wednesday: "We will restore law and order. What angers me the most is that disasters like this often bring out the worst in people. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior."
Interesting question you put forth.
I was responding to some comments about "Aminal House" by Clemenza.
If you're an EyeTie living in an EyeTie neighborhood, how can you not respond to a guy called Clemenza? Besides, the Aminal House movie was iconic.
With Bourbon St. being out of commission, it seemed appropriate.
Yeah, i know... i just wanted to know what the senator was doing about the damage... btw what party is bluto?
I read in the WSJ this morning that Blanco's previous profession before government was being a ............. teacher!
Surprise, surprise - she probably was the union rep for her lazy teacher's union back in the 70s.
Teachers - the most overrated people in America.
A Maggie Thatcher she's not!
"...or shut your pie hole..."
I'm sorry that saying always makes me laugh!!! : )
"Liberals are like slinkies, Not really good for much, but you can't help but smile a little after kicking one down the steps..."
"She has visited Nova Scotia, and in December 2004, visited Cuba to boost trade with the state. On her controversial visit to Cuba, she met with Cuban President Fidel Castro."
She gets an A+ for wringing her hands though, she did that real well before the hurricane.
Remember my post #144? Check this out.
http://news.bostonherald.com/localPolitics/view.bg?articleid=103400
Just how would I have known?
Because you are actually GW Bush?
Actually, it was an educated WAG. Mitt can't afford to run again and he needs an excuse to walk away from the corner office on Beacon Hill. GWB does him a favor if he gives him the nod as long as the job can be accomplished in a year or less. It will work just fine for Mitt because it will give him a lot of national exposure and he will be owed (he will buy favors with his position) favors all around the south.
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