Blanco coolly greets Bush - Friction between state, federal government shows in visit

The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) ^ | September 6, 2005 | MICHELLE MILLHOLLON and MARK BALLARD

[Williams]

There is a story I read it yesterday, the state officils actually said they refused early on to turn the relief effort over to the feds because they "suspected a political motive" was behind the request. This was right after the hurricane, and they were making their decisions based on politics. I'm looking for the story, it was a "credible" news source. Also said they feared if they turned control over to the feds, they feared the feds would then blame everything on them. (By the way that makes little sense). This is a huge scandal by the governor.

Rather than let teh feds control the national guard effort, Blanco brought in this former Clinton official to control the La (non) effort. Sounds to me like Blanco was getting her political signals from you know who.

[HAL9000]

However, no one could be more incompetent than that idiot Mayor of New Orleans.

I'd rate Blanco more incompetent than Nagin. She has actively obstructed every offer of federal assistance while own efforts to respond to the crisis failed. She probably had more legal authority to mobilize the buses for evacuation than Nagin did.

[FMBass]

“The Bush administration on Friday asked Blanco to give the president control of local law enforcement and the Louisiana National Guard that now answer to the governor. Blanco refused.”



Clear enough?

One could also read into the article where (if) FEMA might have gotten tangled up. James Lee Witt (former FEMA head under President Clinton) was named to “RUN RELIEF EFFORTS”

[GOP_1900AD]

Beotsch ....

[johnb838]

No ones fault, plenty of blame to go around.

[tennmountainman]

In fact, Blanco did not learn Bush was coming to Louisiana for the second time in three days until informed by an Advocate reporter late Sunday night.
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If a rock did not hurt her, I would have pushed her off the Helecopter viewing the damage.

[msnimje]

Blanco was not invited to be with the President, she should have gotten the message. But then again, we all know she ain't that bright.

[GOP_1900AD]

Good plan. It is a failed state.

[GOP_1900AD]

Interesting point. It's now a very red state!

[David1]

I need a clarification. Can a president ever use federal troops in a state without the consent of the governor? Historically, I would say yes. I look at historical events like the civil war and Eisenhower use of Federal troops in Little Rock.

[Colonel_Flagg]

"We are a team. I want to say it again. We are a team."

Yes. The President has been the head coach, and the Governor has been a regular benchwarmer.

[Galtoid]

Disagree. Whether they want to admit it or not, the Left talking heads listen to Rush. Not every day, but often. Rush is a huge influence in mediathink. Don't sell him short. I dare say he has a much, much larger daily audience than many cable shows combined.

[msnimje]

President Bush to Gen. Honore, "Gen. Honore, you see that woman right there? Drop her in the gap in the levee when no one is looking"

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

"Blanco did not learn Bush was coming to Louisiana for the second time"

She's trying to get some political points. She knew and lied about not knowing. Democrats and the MSM are afraid that this lack of leadership will kill their chances of winning an election during wartime, so they will do anything to deflect blame.

[fatnotlazy]

In fact, Blanco did not learn Bush was coming to Louisiana for the second time in three days until informed by an Advocate reporter late Sunday night.
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If a rock did not hurt her, I would have pushed her off the Helecopter viewing the damage.

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And take the mayor of NO with her.

[chemicalman]

Before the storm I heard BlankO tell folks to "pack up for the hurricane like you're going on a camping trip".

I never heard something so stupid. She should have said "get out or die".
But Libs are what they are...

[HAL9000]

Can a president ever use federal troops in a state without the consent of the governor? Historically, I would say yes. I look at historical events like the civil war and Eisenhower use of Federal troops in Little Rock.

It's not ideal, but as you point out, it's happened before. The Supreme Court has recognized the "Law of Necessity" doctrine.

[David1]

§ 332. Use of militia and armed forces to enforce Federal authority


Whenever the President considers that unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion against the authority of the United States, make it impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any State or Territory by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, he may call into Federal service such of the militia of any State, and use such of the armed forces, as he considers necessary to enforce those laws or to suppress the rebellion.

This to me seems to give the president authority to act without the consent of the governor. Although only to enforce the laws of the US and not to manage some local emergency, I guess.

[msnimje]

Interesting point. It's now a very red state!

And boy don't the Dems and the Race Baiters know it. Yesterday Jesse Jackson was screaming not to let th people from New Orleans disperse around the country.

[dfwgator]

When they point the finger at the federal government for whatever went wrong in the Katrina response, remember that they are fighting for their political lives.

When you point your finger, three more get pointed back at you.