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Katrina Demanded The Best In Louisiana, Instead We Got Blanco

Author: Jeff Crouere | 11/15/2005 Home : Politics

In the face of the nation’s worst natural disaster, Louisiana voters needed an extraordinary leader to emerge and provide comfort, vision and answers. Instead in response to Katrina, Louisiana voters got Kathleen Blanco and they are none too happy right now. Recall efforts have now been started and Blanco’s approval rating sits at only 38%. National media outlets have now recognized the problem. This week, Time Magazine ranked Blanco as one of the three worst governors in the nation. This embarrassing designation places Blanco along side the indicted Governor of Ohio, Robert Taft and the Governor of South Carolina Mark Sanford. In response to questions about the ranking, Blanco told reporters "Watch my results."

So, far the results have been less than inspiring. When the state needed a decisive leader, Blanco delivered indecision. When we needed leadership, she delivered caution coupled with confusion. According to Time, "Blanco, a Democrat, was always cautious and deliberative. But those qualities have turned into liabilities."

The voters of Louisiana knew Blanco very well. She had served in the legislature, the Public Service Commission and as Lt. Governor. She was never particularly impressive, yet not a crook either. In contrast, her opponent in 2003, Congressman Bobby Jindal was known as an extremely bright and capable individual. During debates, Jindal was impressive, while Blanco’s answers often lacked substance.

It should have been clear to all voters which candidate had the most capabilities to bring to the top position in the state. Yet, Blanco won a close election partly due to prejudice among some voters and partly due to a weak Jindal campaign response to attacks on his healthcare record. Therefore, two years later, when the hurricane hit, we should have known that Kathleen "Committee" Blanco would handle the crisis like she has other situations in her career. She tried to find consensus and worked to establish a deliberate path for recovery. The problem with that style was that in a crisis, citizens in turmoil and devastation look to the state’s chief executive for guidance, security, reassurance and quick decision making. Blanco provided none of those qualit ies during this storm.

Even 11 weeks after Katrina, Blanco continues to disappoint voters who note that it took her until November to call the legislature into session and it took her seven weeks to appoint a Recovery Committee. In contrast, Mississippi acted in a much speedier fashion.

Blanco is now dealing with criticism from the Black Caucus that her budget cuts are too drastic while many conservatives fault her for proposed reforms that do not go far enough. The criticism will likely continue throughout her term in office as the images of her are now etched in the memory of Louisiana voters and will not fade away anytime soon.

Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, "Ringside Politics," which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:30 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and Noon till 2 p.m. weekdays on several Louisiana radio stations. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=5502