Bush, Blanco spar over military, visit - Blanco says Army brought attitude, not resources (absurd)

NOLA ^ | September 06, 2005 | Bill Walsh Robert Travis Scott and Jan Moller

[Former Military Chick]

BATON ROUGE - Even as teams of engineers worked to patch ruptured levees in New Orleans, a political breach opened between Gov. Kathleen Blanco and President Bush over who is in charge of the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery effort.

One flashpoint came over the weekend, when Blanco said she rebuffed an attempt by the White House to seize control of the mounting military presence in Louisiana, including thousands of state National Guard forces under her authority. Then Bush made an unusual return visit to the state Monday, just days after surveying the damage - a trip that members of Blanco's staff said caught them by surprise and caused a certain level of consternation.

"We had no idea the president was coming," said Blanco's communications director, Robert Mann, adding that the governor was forced to cancel a trip to visit evacuees in Houston so she could meet with Bush.

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In the game of political maneuvering for control between Blanco, a Democrat, and Bush, a Republican, the biggest chess pieces are the 13,268 National Guard troops from 29 states under the governor's command - with another 7,845 on the way - and the 7,000 active-duty troops who began arriving Monday under command of the regular Army and the president.

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Blanco said that when the plain-spoken, cigar-chomping Honore showed up in New Orleans late last week, she thought that her worries about a lack of federal troops and resource were over. Honore quickly became a media darling and the take-charge face of the federal government in New Orleans, barking out orders to surprised National Guards members who aren't even under his control.

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[Cboldt]

The article shows that Blanco is, in fact (albeit maybe a formailty now that Honore is taking charge informally), in charge of the effort. See for example where Honore is barking out orders to "surprized" Nat'l Guard members who aren't even under his control. Whay aren't they under his control? Because they are supposed to be under Blanco's control.

The game is old as the hills - it goes on in every workplace in the world. Blanco wants the authority, but not the responsibility. She's angling to take credit for other's work, and the media is helping her accomplish that end.

[The Red Zone]

Some folks are reporting it brought too much attitude.. people who are stubborn about staying holed up in the city are getting guns pointed at their head in order to warn them about disease, if so that's going way over the top. But they should be reminded that if their city and state civil leadership falls on its keister, a domestic occupying army like that in Iraq is what they get.

[The Red Zone]

Because she will be able to tolerate the smell in Houston.

[EmilyGeiger]

This woman brings a whole new meaning to the saying "Stupid is as stupid does." She's not just incompetent, she is a controlled puppet. Has to make sure she contacts her DNC reps. before she acts or makes a statement. Does this party have one original thinker, besides Zell Miller? And I just love this little gem.."The effort, The New York Times reported, was being orchestrated by Bush's political director, Karl Rove, and communications director, Dan Bartlett. " MSM believes everything is an orchestrated political move. Well if it is their reporting habits of trying to constantly place blame at the feet of Bush brought us all to this.

[ONETWOONE]

Did you see Clinton and Bush Sr on Fox? Reporters asked pointed questions at Bush SR that degraded President Bush and Bush Sr let it known that the reason they are there is to raise money. But then Clinton went on and on to say then when he was there he put in money for the levys and towards the end spent more and didn't know what happened from there. Clinton still thought he was in charge. I don't understand how they are now buddies...

[JustaCowgirl]

Blanco said that when the plain-spoken, cigar-chomping Honore showed up in New Orleans late last week, she thought that her worries about a lack of federal troops and resource were over. Honore quickly became a media darling and the take-charge face of the federal government in New Orleans, barking out orders to surprised National Guards members who aren't even under his control.

What's the matter, hon', wouldn't the General sit down and have a good cry with you?

The Governor's copping an attitude is as last week as Cindy Sheehan.

[Coldwater Creek]

Oh Yes she would. Those people give yellow dog democrat a new meaning. We have the same situation here in Memphis. No matter how corrupt, or the lack of leadership the ignorant masses just keep on following. In this case right over the cliff.

[BigSkyFreeper]

"We had no idea the president was coming,"

You've gotta be kidding.....

[lionheart 247365]

Unbelievable!!

Thanks fmc .

[syriacus]

Then Bush made an unusual return visit to the state Monday, just days after surveying the damage - a trip that members of Blanco's staff said caught them by surprise and caused a certain level of consternation.

What is Blanco hiading? What is Blanco afraid the feds will find out?

[Real Cynic No More]

Oh, so now Blanco knows that the state controls the National Gurd and is supposed to co=ordinate those and any Federal forces?

Why didn't she know that BEFORE the hurricane and levee breach?
I thought it was all Bush's fault for NOT acting fast enough? How can that be if Blanco is in charge of everything? I'm confused.... Or maybe the media is...

Bears repeating... and repeating... and repeating...

[pointsal]

QUEEN BLANCO needs to realize this is country is not operated like a Mardi Gras krewe.

....all spoils to the highest bidder.

[AD from SpringBay]

Interesting that she wants to be in charge now and take credit for things while during the storm week it was Bush who was supposed to be the hands on "in charge" person. Why won't anybody call her on this?

[Real Cynic No More]

TRUTH IS - IF THE FED HAD BEEN IN CHARGE FROM THE BEGINNING THOSE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOTTEN OUT OF THE BIG EASY LONG BEFORE THE STORM GOT THERE. ONE THING THIS PRESIDENT DOESN'T DO AND THAT IS FOOL AROUND - WHEN HE HAS SOMETHING TO DO HE DOES IT. THIS GOVERNOR BLANCO GIVES WOMEN EXECUTIVES A BAD NAME!!!!!

Yup, she does. People will have second thoughts about Hillary, now!

[BigSkyFreeper]

I swear with the cluelessness and inept behavior on display by the mayor and governor in article after article, you'd think they were from a different planet altogether.

[Coldwater Creek]

They aren't. The fool (Clinton) does not know when he is being used.

[TomGuy]

why the Governor of Louisiana felt compelled to go to Houston Astrodome when as far as I know she never went to the NO Superdome?

Simple answer: damage control. Not to the Katrina catastrophe, but to her politican career. Someone is advising her to rehabilitate her 'political self' immediately. She, apparently, has already finished the lesson on 'How to cry on TV'. Today she probably has private lessons in 'Lip-biting to show I feel your pain."

[lt.america]

"On a side note, I heard yesterday that those levees that were suposedly substandard"

Technically the levees never failed. The levees held and the storm walls failed (the built up concrete portions on the top). If the levees had failed, you could forget plugging them anytime soon.

[daybreakcoming]

I saw Blanco's attempt at a salute also and thought how indicative it was of her capabilities. Weak.