Mary Landrieu: I'll Punch Bush, 'Literally'

NewsMax.com ^ | Sept. 4, 2005 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

Sen. Mary Landrieu threatened the president of the United States with physical violence on Sunday, saying that if he or any other government official criticizes New Orleans police for failing to keep civil order in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina - "I might likely have to punch him - literally."

"If one person criticizes [our sheriffs], or says one more thing, including the president of the United States, he will hear from me - one more word about it after this show airs and I - I might likely have to punch him - literally," Landrieu railed on "ABC's "This Week."

It is illegal to threaten the president with physical violence.

The Louisiana Democrat blasted Bush for neglecting the New Orleans levees, and demanded that he stop using the disaster for "photo-ops."

"The president came here yesterday for a photo-op," Landrieu charged, while surveying the disaster scene via helicopter with "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos in tow. "He got his photo-op but we are never going to get this fixed if he does not send us help now."

Landrieu also blamed Bush for cutting funding for levee improvement, before bursting into tears on camera.

In recent days, Louisiana officials have been criticized for bungling evacuation and rescue efforts. One of those officials, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, is Sen. Landrieu's brother.

[livius]

If Landreau hangs around Baton Rouge too her cycle will synchronize with the Governor's.

LOL! I'm a woman, btw. But these dumb broads have just about made it embarrassing to admit that.

Why is everybody doing stereotypes? Women - indecisive, hysterical and weepy; blacks - incompetent, violent and racist. Did David Duke maybe pay all these idiots to go out and do that on TV in front of the entire world?

[savedbygrace]

She won't be charged with this crime, but the Senate should censure her for threatening the President.

[Types_with_Fist]

Mary knows the skeletons that are in the closet.

That or she's just lashing out because she will not be in the senate forever. She's lost her base. Everything she says is with Louisiana public opinion in mind. But, I don't think she'll be able to defect the blame away from state officials and at Bush.

[BykrBayb]

Let's not forget the ones who did their best with no support from above.

[silent_jonny]

And your Democrat Governor who is responsible for the National Guard etc., I'm sure she was too busy handwringing, weeping and looking for someone to do her job to do her job.

Exactly.

[CajunConservative]

Yes, she was put in her place.

[Erik Latranyi]

Are there ANY grown-ups in LA political power??

Lack of "grown-ups" is a result of decades of liberal leadership. They want a nanny state and then look to conservatives when the situation grows serious.

Repeated throughout history.

[NYCVirago]

The N.O. cops haven't even gotten 1/10 the criticism they deserve. If you can't criticize a force where hundreds and hundreds of its members didn't even bother showing up to work, then what can you criticize? Oh yeah, I guess blaming Bush is always A-OK.

[I'm ALL Right!]

"The president needs to address this TODAY -- DIRECTLY. He needs to come out and lay the blame where it is due, and point out that the facts are the facts, and the attempts to make this humanitarian tragedy into a political game are reprehensible."

I totally agree. With each passing day, the RATS spew their lies and gain a foothold on public opinion. The WH needs to got on this NOW.

[Elyse]

I think that the Senate should issue some punishment to Landrieu for unbecoming conduct. There is no excuse for what she said and it should not be allowed to stand. A US Senator should have a certain level of public decorum.

[George W. Bush]

"The president came here yesterday for a photo-op," Landrieu charged, while surveying the disaster scene via helicopter ... "He got his photo-op but we are never going to get this fixed if he does not send us help now."

Yeah, and she was right there at the photo op, doing everything she could to suck up to him and the cameras. She was more giddy than Monica in her Bluest dress.

Landrieu behaves like a complete schizophrenic.

[BykrBayb]

And what's it going to cost the rest of us to raise this Titanic of hers?

[Cricket24]

Two words for her....SHUT UP!!

This woman is making a complete ass out of herself. Who the heck does she think is responsible? She needs a big reality check.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

You know...why is it that Blanco and Landrieu...BOTH persons with access into devastated areas, aren't using their positions to help bring in water or cans of baby formula to the dehydrated people? IMHO, having ones nails done anywhere in this hard-hit region is despicable. It is beyond my comprehension that these women haven't been working in the hardest-hit areas this week. Shoot, if they would have handed over their "Pass" badges, I would have gladly stood in the muck to help these people. Louisiana needs to rethink their voting habits.

[faux_hog]

So much energy wasted on blaming and recriminations. It saps all our strength (no matter what side we're on). There will be time for that, later.

[LA Woman3]

Looks like the guilt of all the LA officials is really starting to get to all of them. Must be getting pretty difficult for them to sleep at night.


Two New Orleans police officers have taken their own lives (per WWL radio).

[sonofatpatcher2]

Wanted to send her an e-mail, but she does not have an e-mail address... Just a website for contacting her. So I will send this as a regular letter...

Senator Lanrieu,

I have just watched your flying interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos. Never in my 58 years have I seen such a pitifully attempt to make political hay out of a tragedy. And you picked a soapbox set upon your own constituents' pain and suffering!

Two glaring points stand out in your tirade.

One, the single backhoe you cried shame over. Anyone with eyes could see that there was only room for one backhoe on that break in the levee.

Two, you saying you would punch out anyone, including the President, if there was any criticism of local Louisiana officials after your interview aired. Consider initially that it is against federal law to threaten the President. Lastly with the fact that there were literally hundreds of buses within New Orleans proper that the Mayor could have used to evacuate the city, how can one not find fault? Those buses are now under water, but they were not flooded when the Mayor failed to use them.

I will give all I can to the charities for Louisiana relief. Yet when you run again, I will give double that amount to any one running against you.

You, Senator Lanrieu, are a disgrace to your state and the Senate of the United States.

In the hope you will understand that many, many others will feel the same way over your despicable actions, I am

Very sincerely yours,

Danny Clay Lee

[willyboyishere]

Yes, he DOES need to address this TODAY, and DIRECTLY, but you and I both know that he won't----in characteristic uniter- not- divider form he's already got his head hung sheepishly down and accepting a significant part of the blame. I had no idea at the beginning he was such putty in the hands of his detractors, such a latent masochist. This is going to do him in, and sorry to say, he deserves it if he can't find the steel to lay the blame where it belongs. Maybe he feels his "spokesmen" will do it for him. They will try, but it will be too little, too late.

[CajunConservative]

Her constituents just got evacuated to parts unknown. The people you have been watching on tv the past week were her voting base.

[TXBubba]

One more point..The Dems are gonna overplay their hand, screw this up, bigtime..remember the "Wellstone Memorial" fiasco?...This will be worse for them..

I'm hoping you are correct. I'm normally not home on Sunday but have a sick child today. I watched the most dispicable rant on CBS about Bush and his anti-black hurricane relief. I thought, this is really going out on the airwaves and they are letting it go? I'm praying they have so lost their minds that the backlash throws them back 100 years.