Gulf Coast Isn't the Only Thing Left in Tatters; Bush's Status With Blacks Takes Hit

NY Times ^ | 9/12/05 | Elisabeth Bumiller

[Crackingham]

From the political perspective of the White House, Hurricane Katrina destroyed more than an enormous swath of the Gulf Coast. The storm also appears to have damaged the carefully laid plans of Karl Rove, President Bush's political adviser, to make inroads among black voters and expand the reach of the Republican Party for decades to come.

Many African-Americans across the country said they seethed as they watched the television pictures of the largely poor and black victims of Hurricane Katrina dying for food and water in the New Orleans Superdome and the convention center. A poll released last week by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center bore out that reaction as well as a deep racial divide: Two-thirds of African-Americans said the government's response to the crisis would have been faster if most of the victims had been white, while 77 percent of whites disagreed.

The anger has invigorated the president's critics. Kanye West, the rap star, raged off-script at a televised benefit for storm victims that "George Bush doesn't care about black people." Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said in Miami last week that Americans "have to come to terms with the ugly truth that skin color, age and economics played a significant role in who survived and who did not."

At the White House, the public response has been to denounce the critics as unseemly and unfair. "I think all of those remarks were disgusting, to be perfectly frank," Laura Bush said in an interview with the American Urban Radio Network, when asked about the comments of Mr. West and Mr. Dean. "Of course President Bush cares about everyone in our country."

[Popman]

I believe this is the actually the real reason the Democrats rode the race card hard and fast even though the local and state governments had a lot more to do with the people suffering in the PooperDome

Perfect opportunity to get the folks back on the plantation

[G.Mason]

Well, one solution for the poor black man is to get their puppeteers, the Dims, to impeach President Bush. That way they can get a dose of Cheney for the remaining two years.

Cheney and Rumsfeld. Yeah, that's the ticket!

[kipita]

It's all Bush's fault. /Sarc off

But don't blame 40 years of Democratic socialism, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and other vocal socialist black elitist who continue to "protect" and "preserve" their constituency (meal ticket). /Sarc off

[newzjunkey]

Drudge had audio on his radio show Sunday. NO Mayor Nagin had been interviewed prior to landfall on national TV and said the convention center *would not* be used since it was not needed. I can't recall which show it was. Either one of the A.M. shows (GMA?) or Sunday A.M. shows (MTP?).

And, as you said, the Red Cross (and Salvation Army) were prevented from supplying aid on that facility by the state Dept. of Homeland Security.

It's NEVER a surprise the press's DAMNED LIES are then regurgitated in polls.

[gop_gene]

Did the NYT have an article along the lines of "Clinton's (and by extension Gore) status with Cubans takes hit" during the Elian fiasco?

[YaYa123]

So...Bush hates black people. Well, from all we've seen, heard, and read by the MSM, Bush must only hate the black people who live in New Orleans. He's fine with blacks in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Does that even make sense??


Of course not!

[ncountylee]

"Many African-Americans across the country said they seethed as they watched the television pictures of the largely poor and black victims of Hurricane Katrina dying for food and water in the New Orleans Superdome.."

Due to the lies and distortions of the MSM. MSM needs to die quicker.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

And the purported rationale behind this decision, i.e. that they didn't want more people overcrowding the Superdome, is beyond comprehension.

You don't want to exacerbate a humanitarian crisis, so you intentionally deny food and water to people who are already in parlous health?

(Baffled Smiley.)

[relictele]

NY Times new slogan: Largest Editorial Section Of Any Paper - Begins on Page 1A.

I also see DU types writing oh-so-clever letters that the 'real looters' are the Bush administration. Whatever.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Isn't this the same reporter who vowed that she'd gladly give Clinton a Lewinsky if he would keep abortion legal? Just consider the source.

[freema]

It's a terrible thing when they're screwing with my reputation right along with Bush's.

[Khankrumthebulgar]

The Race Baiters and Race Pimps are having a field day. Too many African Americans are not truthfully looking into the Democratic Party and its destruction of the Black Family. Thug culture is the result. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that 40% of murders are committed by Black Males who are 6% of the population. Is there a problem there? Why does the media give this Thug Culture a free pass? Oh that's right they don't want to be racists.

The Mayhem, Rape, & Murder witnessed by the World is more confirmation that Black Culture in this Nation is seriously wheels off. That Rev.s Sharpton & Jackson and Hollyweird excuse this behavior is setting back race relations. Still Whites open their wallets, and their checkbooks and contribute. Others risk their lives and fortunes to help total strangers. Yet this is ignored.

The MSM empty suits have been looking for an issue to hang Bush with. An incomptent FEMA Administrator has given them the ammunition finally to weaken a strong President. That Bush has put African Americans into positions of National power does not matter to Blacks in the Democratic Party. I am sick of pandering to them and excusing the inexcusable.

Can we now have a reasonable Dialog about poverty? And stop trying to reinvogorate failed policies that created this mess in the first place. Want to see what Blacks do to each other Look at South Africa, The Congo, Sudan, Ruwanda. Yet our media dumb bells want to give a free pass to this behavior. No more guilt money to The Rainbow Extortion Racket of Rev. Jackson. No More.

[Inge_CAV]

"Cheney and Rumsfeld. Yeah, that's the ticket!"

Shades of when Sherman made Georgia howl come to mind!

[brwnsuga]

Some of my people who have been staunch supporters of the Democrats for over 30 years, need to open their eyes to the fact that their support has done nothing for the Black Community. Some folks are still in the same boat because they have been accepting handouts too long. We have got to get behind the party that has the faith in us that we have our ability to be self- sufficient. And it is not the Democrats. The Democrats don't believe in we Black people.

[airborne]

More motivational speeches for the left, from the head cheerleader, NY Times!

[TNCMAXQ]

I have to wonder, if America really were the racist nation that "con-yee" and his ilk think, would the outpouring of help from Americans be as overwhelming as it has been?? I almost have to wonder if they won't have a surplus of money and supplies when this is all over.

In addition, if white folks care nothing about black victims, wouldn't Mr Bush's ratings be going up? After all, if whites perceive he is racist like we are supposed to be, isn't Bush then doing the will of the people?? Just goes to prove the "rap artists," Sharpton, Jackson, and the rest of them are full of bull.

[metmom]

Yeah, with the help of the MSM. Thanks guys. /sigh

[marvlus]

I'd have been disappointed if this didn't come out of the NY Times!

[G.Mason]

"Shades of when Sherman made Georgia howl come to mind!"

Though I am a Yankee by birth and a Rebel by choice and I wish no harm to come to what is left of Southern tradition ... a good "howling" would be delightful! ;)