Posted on 11/23/2005 5:04:14 AM PST by Ellesu
Democratic state Sen. Butch Gautreaux stepped on the STATE Senate floor Tuesday to deliver a rare partisan political speech blasting President Bush and the Republican Congress. Some Republican senators walked out as Gautreaux blasted their president repeatedly.
Gautreaux railed against Bush for "a botched war in Iraq," tax breaks for big business and the rich at the expense of poor and middle class, and a tendency to seek revenge on those who don't go along with him.
"I worry for Louisiana and I worry for this country," said Gautreaux, a Morgan City businessman.
Gautreaux said he fears Louisiana's post-hurricane needs are getting lost on the national level because of the controversy swirling around Bush.
Later, Sen. Max Malone, R-Shreveport, called Gautreaux's remarks "inappropriate."
"When he started blasting the president and blaming everything on Republicans, I said, 'I've leaving. I've had enough,' " Malone said in an interview.
In his years in the Senate, Malone said he couldn't recall anyone going on such a partisan attack. "Butch was just wrong," Malone said.
Gautreaux's remarks drew a smattering of applause from the unusually quiet Senate.
Gautreaux started and ended by praising Louisiana politicians' ability to work together, including taking steps to help with the state's hurricane recovery efforts.
"We have been working hard down here in Louisiana ever since the first hurricane hit. We worked hard in so many ways to keep the recovery going," Gautreaux said. "I came to praise this body and our Legislature to hold up as an example of cooperation."
But Gautreaux said he's worried about the failure so far of the federal government to help and its propensity to blame Gov. Kathleen Blanco and others in Louisiana for hurricane-related problems.
"The future of this state depends on funding from Congress and President Bush like it or not. It's true," Gautreaux said.
"I am worried that Louisiana's needs will be lost in the debate over the botched war in Iraq. I am worried that our needs will be lost as the Bush administration makes sure that the very richest Americans get a tax cut," Gautreaux said.
He also said Bush is using "faith and religion to divide and polarize this nation."
Let them yelp. The exodus of takers has left the makers in charge of Louisiana's political future. They'll still elect Dems at the local level but the state will start electing sensible Republicans now that New Orleans is free of mindless straight ticket Dems.
FYI: this scumbag leach owns a rent-to-own and payday loan business. In essence, he is a loan shark.
This scumbag owns a rent-to-own and payday loan business. In essence, he is a loan shark.
Let's see, ask the Prez for untold billions, then slam him like a red-headed stepchild. Makes perfect sense to me...
Yeah, and bridge studies, animated fountains, patronage, and downright theft, too.
80% of his state's largest city is uninhabitable for G-d knows how long, and all this turkey has to talk about is Bush. Shows where his real agenda is. Clue: it's not with the people of Louisiana.
Ray Nagin took a little bit of time the other day from his busy vacation in Jamaica (provided free of charge by the Sandals resort) to blame the fed's hurricane response on classism and racism. Looks like the next coordinated attack is underway to me. And after all, there are elections coming up in February. Someone in Louisiana must think that assailing President Bush will pay off for the Dims.
I guess this means they're abandoning all hope of a Merry belated Fitzmas
"I worry for Louisiana and I worry for this country," said Gautreaux, a Morgan City businessman.
-----I agree with half of your statement, Gautreaux. I worry about this country too because the people that voted for the likes of you are spread out all over it.
Senator D. A. "Butch" Gautreaux - District 21Senator Gautreaux has been assigned to the following:
Standing Committees
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Finance
Natural Resources (Interim Member)
Retirement (Chairman)
Transportation, Highways & Public Works
Select Committees
Coastal Restoration and Flood Control
Consumer Affairs and Technology
Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, Recovery and Long-Term Revitalization
Homeland Security
Statutory CommitteesJoint Legislative Committee on the Budget
Based upon Sen. Butch's committee assignments, he does appear to need to be answering questions ... instead of blustering about trying to divert attention from the things for which he could arguably be held responsible.
Oh, and by the way, Sen. Butch ... being nasty to a Republican president, Republican House of Representatives, and Republican Senate is really the way to make people feel sorry for your state. You are just another nail in Louisiana's coffin.
Dude, if John Kerry were president, New Orleans would still be under water.
I ran from Rita and was without electricity for 4 weeks. We had a tree on our house and everywhere I went I was asked to donate to help a Katrina victim.
I didn't expect a handout when I was an evacuee.
Katrina evacuees were being fed two hot meals a day in our local churches until the day we got a mandatory evacuation order.
To everybody from New Orleans: My mayor is smarter than your mayor!
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