As for granting conservatives control, if I heard the President right tonight, he is going to give locals the control. From what I have heard, read and learned about the area; conservatives are nearly non-existent, as is plainly visible from looking at the previous history of N.O. and the entire area. Corruption was the norm, rather than the exception to the rule and those in power are once again going to be calling the shots. If the president does try to bring in fiscal, political conservatives from outside the area, all blazes is going to break loose. "Bush the poor-hating, white racist" will once again be heard throughout the land and he will fold like a house of cards.
So he's damned with ever he does?
"As for granting conservatives control, if I heard the President right tonight, he is going to give locals the control."
Devil is in the details, but from the speech:
"And the federal government will undertake a close partnership with the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, the city of New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities so they can rebuild in a sensible, well planned way. Federal funds will cover the great majority of the costs of repairing public infrastructure in the disaster zone, from roads and bridges to schools and water systems."
Keywords "close Partnership", means no blank checks, call us if you need more.
There is no mention of the 200 billion being bandied about ala the 10,000 dead. Infrastructure gets the City working
again.
Got to be done. It is a legitimate role of the Fed to help here. As legit as common defence in my view.
Great speech. Puts the D on its heels. Will get the job done.
By 2008, it will be a shining example of accomplishment.