Many Evacuated, but Thousands Still Waiting (Behind the scenes power struggle)

AP ^ | September 4, 2005 | Manuel Roig-Franzia and Spencer Hsu

[Wuli]

The above is the key part that is buried in the AP article.

Bush wanted seamless coordination for everyone, Blanco wanted decision making power - then she didn't use it.

[Peach]

Are they referring to Friday, August 26 or Friday September 2?

And it makes no sense that New Orleans officials are worried if they let the feds coordinate things that if it went wrong, they (New Orleans officials) would be blamed.

If stuff went wrong and it was federalized, it WOULD be all the federal government's fault.

[evolved_rage]

Friday, August 26

Its intentionally obfuscatory

[Bigh4u2]

Do you have a link stating that it was Friday the 26th?

Because everything I have read doesn't say which friday it was!

Thanx!

[Peach]

The Washington Post originally wrote this story; it's in today's paper.

Their version is just as confusing.

Anyone interested in asking if the president tried to federalize the evacuation of New Orleans on Friday, August 26 or Friday, September 2 are encouraged to ask the reporters to answer that question.

Spencer Hsu:
hsus@washpost.com

Manuel Roig-Franzia
roigfranzia@washpost.com

[GeorgiaBushie]

Very interesting! Thanks for the link.

Peach, with your help, I sent an email to reporters for clarification of the date. Thank you.

[Peach]

Thank you for writing them.

If you hear back, will you ping me and/or post a separate thread about it?

I will do the same.

[HannaUSA]

Based on the Washington Post article, it was Friday Sept. 2 that he tried to get the Governor to turn things over to the Feds, because by that time it was apparent that they wre unable to handle it.

Another significant part of that article is this:

Blanco made two moves Saturday that protected her independence from the federal government: She created a philanthropic fund for the state's victims and hired James Lee Witt, Federal Emergency Management Agency director in the Clinton administration, to advise her on the relief effort.

It is obvious that Blanco's primary concern is hanging onto power. She is obviously too dumb to realize she is powerless.

[Popman]

Behind the scenes, a power struggle emerged, as federal officials tried to wrest authority from Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (D). Shortly before midnight Friday, the Bush administration sent her a proposed legal memorandum asking her to request a federal takeover of the evacuation of New Orleans, a source within the state's emergency operations center said Saturday.

I would think the date for Friday was the 26th, though seemingly purposely not made clear

If so, Blanco shoulders the entire blame for the death and misery N.O. suffered though.

She placed personal politics over the safety and welfare of her citizens

Just disgusting and beyond the pale.

[Admin Moderator]

To prevent duplication, please do not alter the heading. Thanks.

[Popman]

bump

[evolved_rage]

I'm looking. I might have foobared that. I guess I'm so pissed at the MSM, that I assume ill-intent.

I cant find a link to CNN from 8/28 where Bush urged Blanco to order the evacuation.

[Salvation]

**As of Saturday, Blanco still had not declared a state of emergency, the senior Bush official said. **

BTTT!

[DaGman]

Actually, Blanco et al are very wise to beware of the words "I'm from the federal government and I'm here to help you." They are smart to run like the wind.

[depenzz]

"Quite frankly, if they'd been able to pull off taking it away from the locals, they then could have blamed everything on the locals," said the source, who does not have the authority to speak publicly.

Am I goofy this morning or what.....I don't think this makes much sense. How the heck could they blame the locals if they didn't have control to begin with.

[Peach]

It's a ridiculous statement on its face and I'm surprised they weren't challenged by the WaPo. It seems reporters only inject personal commentary or challenge Republicans.

[Peach]

Oh, we all watched the press conference live on Sunday at 10:30 where the mayor and Governor ADMITTED that the president had just called and pressed them to order a mandatory evacuation.

It's also in freeper backhoe's list of archived articles. Keyword is Katrina.

[tsmith130]

It's also in freeper backhoe's list of archived articles. Keyword is Katrina.

Thanks for this info...it's nearly impossible trying to keep all this together. I should have known to search for Backhoe's posts!

[mtbopfuyn]

In a Washington briefing, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said one reason federal assets were not used more quickly was "because our constitutional system really places the primary authority in each state with the governor."

They can run, but they can't hide.

[Voss]

Don't know if this helps, but here is an AP story from 8-28: "Gov. Kathleen Blanco, standing beside the mayor at a news conference, said President Bush called and personally appealed for a mandatory evacuation for the low-lying city, which is prone to flooding." (I remember seeing a Google cached version of the CNN story on FR last week, but I can't find it now.)

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?base/news-18/1125239940201382.xml&storylist=louisiana