by Mike Dorning
NEW ORLEANS—Campaigning a few days before the Louisiana primary, Barack Obama offered residents of hurricane-damaged New Orleans promises of a levee system by 2011 built to withstand a 100-year storm, a modern new hospital downtown and targeted aid to hire more police officers for the city.
“In the city that gave us jazz, we know that even the most painful note can be followed by joy,” Obama said in a speech at Tulane University. “Here, in this city, if we look hard enough, we can imagine the unseen – homes filled with families; businesses putting folks to work; schools extending opportunity; the next verse in the American song.”
Criticism of the federal government’s tepid initial response to the Katrina disaster here and the slow pace of recovery efforts since has been a touchstone of Democratic candidates, serving as the party’s preeminent symbol for charges of incompetence and cronyism in the Bush Administration and neglect of the poor.
In addition to bread-and-butter assistance to the city’s residents, Obama also proposed changes in emergency federal aid programs themed on those broader Democratic criticisms.
He said he would seek a six-year fixed term for the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency so the director’s time in office would extend beyond a president’s term and, Obama argued, reduce the White House’s influence over the agency.
“I won’t just tell you that I’ll insulate that office from politics – I’ll guarantee it, by giving my FEMA director a fixed term like the director of the Federal Reserve,” Obama said. “I don’t want FEMA to be thinking for one minute about the politics of a crisis. I want FEMA to do its job, which is protecting the American people – not protecting a President’s politics.”
Then-FEMA director Michael Brown, a former commissioner of the International Arabian Horse Association who was a political supporter of President Bush, became the poster bureaucrat for the charges of incompetence and cronyism in the public uproar following Katrina.
Referring to Katrina recovery contracts given to multi-national firms with political connections to the Bush Administration such as Halliburton, Obama also promised to alter rules for future recovery contracts so that “we will make sure that rebuilding benefits the local economy.”
“When I am President, if there is a job that can be done by a New Orleans resident, the contract will go to a resident of New Orleans. And we’ll provide tax incentives to businesses that choose to set up shop in the hardest hit areas,” Obama said.
Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant responded to Obama's criticism of the Bush Administration with an e-mail message questioning the Illinois senator's experience for taking on the task.
"Rather than putting forward political attacks, Barack Obama should explain how his own short Senate career qualifies him to take over the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. America needs stronger leadership," Conant said.
The Obama campaign did not immediately respond to a request for an estimate of the cost of his proposals.
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Comments
"OBAMA SPEAKS"
JOHN MCCAIN LETS DEBATE IN THE HEART OF NEW ORLEANS.
JOHN MCCAIN LETS DEBATE IN THE HEART OF TORNADO STRUCK TENNESSEE.
JOHN MCCAIN LETS DEBATE IN "BAGHDAD" AMONST OUR NEW ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINES AND NEW AMERICAN MILITIA "BLACKWATER"
JOHN MCCAIN LETS DEBATE THE ECONOMY.
JOHN MCCAIN LETS DEBATE EAVESDROPPING OUTSIDE THE CORPORATE OFFICES OF AT&T OR VERIZON WIRELESS
JOHN MCCAIN LETS DEBATE WATERBORDING OR TORTURE AS DEFINED BY LAW.
JOHN MCCAIN LETS DEBATE YOUR RECORD ON "ENERGY" BY THE WAY LETS DEBATE DICK CHENEY'S CLOSED SESSIONS WITH "FERC" OR "MERCK"
NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SPEECH IN FRONT OF THE LOUISIANA PEOPLE WHO GOT STROKED BY GEORGE BUSH, DICK CHENEY, CONDI RICE, AND HOMELAND SECURITY.
HILLARY WILL!
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 7, 2008 1:54 PM
Obama is right on all counts.
Bush gave the money to no bid Halliburton, then displaced American workers with Mexican workers.
Posted by: Mr. Unite Us | February 7, 2008 1:57 PM
Empty suit Obama is a performer imitating a gasbag politician, handing out money (other people's, of course, not his own) and empty promises in an attempt to buy votes.
Posted by: McArthur | February 7, 2008 2:58 PM
May I suggest Obama should call the new FEMA as OBAFEMA, set up a special website dedicated to Katrina and start raising money for the victims? His name will add credibility to the website and Katrina victims will finally have some help they really needed. After all Obama is a REAL deal and so's his fund raising ability.
Posted by: Georgee | February 7, 2008 2:59 PM
May I suggest Obama should call the new FEMA as OBAFEMA, set up a special website dedicated to Katrina and start raising money for the victims? His name will add credibility to the website and Katrina victims will finally have some help they really needed. After all Obama is a REAL deal and so's his fund raising ability.
Posted by: Georgee Daniel | February 7, 2008 3:00 PM
McCain is Anti Torture because he was tortured in VietNam...Hillary is trying even more cheap stunts to steal this election that McCain is going to love to waterboard her over! If she is backing down on the MI and FL agreement how do we know that she will really get us out of the war?? Trust me Im sad too that the Clintons have lost their shine but we need to win and Hillary isnt a winner.
Posted by: Beka | February 7, 2008 3:36 PM
Mr. Obama, FEMA does not protect people. That is not its function nor its job. It is not a people protector. It is a responder to help people. The military, police they protect people.
Also, Mr. Obama (really, does he deserve to be called Senator since he has spent less than half of his term actually being a Senator?), a levee system that can withstand a 100-year-storm? Sorry to inform you, sir, but levee systems have often failed against 100-year storms. They failed along the Mississippi in 1993 and again a few years ago. Didn't one fail in California or Nevada this winter following a heavy storm? And the levees failed in 2005 after Katrina.
Mr. Obama likes to play himself as the man of hope. He is more like the man of illusion or delusion, as are most of his followers.
Posted by: John D | February 7, 2008 3:50 PM
Kathleen Blanco and Ray Nagin horde the federal money and it's all Bush's fault, right? Sure. Somehow Mississippi is doing much better than Louisiana today and it has nothing to do with the federal government. It has to do with local corruption and crime, particularly in New Orleans!
Even today the "chocolate city" continues to make a strong case for why it shouldn't be rebuilt and I say that as a person who visits there twice a year and has always loved its historic charm.
Unfortunately the only things thriving there right now are crime and strip clubs. Go there and tell me I'm wrong. The federal government is ill-equipped to fix that. Maybe Bobby Jindal can get it done.
p.s. There have already been 21 murders in New Orleans this year. http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/02/man_fatally_shot_in_lower_gard.html
Posted by: Jeff | February 7, 2008 3:57 PM
Obama's speech was very good. Well crafted, and addressed most of the big recovery issues facing New Orleans and the Gulf South.
As for Hillary, I suppose we will have to imagine what she would say, because she doesn't plan to visit Louisiana before the primaries.
Posted by: oyster | February 7, 2008 4:30 PM
"WE are the ones we've been waiting for..." -- Barack Obama 2.5.08
Obama for President! Make it happen, folks!
Posted by: BrwnSKnGurl | February 7, 2008 4:45 PM
With so much concern over the plight of the residents of New Orleans, what exactly did Obama do to alleviate some of their suffering? Did he contribute from private funds to help a family like his sponsor Oprah whose Angel Network built some homes? Did he use his "political clout" to initiate an investigation of the corruption and theft of federal funds meant for New Orleans victims. Did he do anything in the wake of the tragedy other than give wondrous speeches filled with high ideals and empty rhetoric. I dare Obama and the other candidates to take up the torch and create an inquiry into the Katrina corruption and the misappropriation of federal funds. It is now 2008, and as Brad Pitt showed in his TV expose, the majority of parishes are still graveyards of past lives.
Grand words for victims' votes, but what has Obama done to show he deserves them?
Posted by: the truth | February 7, 2008 5:00 PM
Grand words for victims' votes, but what has Obama done to show he deserves them? -- the "so-called" truth??
Check your archives, and search for "the truth." Barack was in New Orleans, in Houston, in the aftermath of Katrina in 2005 -- bringing attention to the horrors faced by the thousands of misplaced, homeless, poor and disenfranchised residents of New Orleans, who were left literally hanging by their government.
Where were you??
Posted by: BrwnSknGurl | February 7, 2008 5:33 PM
Unfortunately the only things thriving there right now are crime and strip clubs. Go there and tell me I'm wrong. The federal government is ill-equipped to fix that. Maybe Bobby Jindal can get it done.
p.s. There have already been 21 murders in New Orleans
Posted by: Jeff | February 7, 2008 3:57 PM
Jeff supports John McBush's plan to round up everyone from NOLA and send them off to McBush's 100 years of war on Iraq....everyone but college Republicans like him that is:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/25/senator-mccain-on-the-daily-show/
Posted by: John E | February 7, 2008 5:48 PM
Where were you??
Posted by: BrwnSknGurl | February 7, 2008 5:33 PM
Ditto? Where were you, citizen? I wasn't voted as a custodian of our constitution nor a public servant. Moreover, I'm not campaigning for votes, citizen. My and your taxes pay for government programs such as FEMA. The question is do those seeking power and positions of high esteem have the altruistic spirit to do more than the common citizen, such as you or me? Action speak louder than impressive words. Lay your alms at the altar of Obama, maybe they will get to the Katrina victims.
Posted by: the truth | February 7, 2008 7:02 PM
"I wasn't voted as a custodian of our constitution nor a public servant. Moreover, I'm not campaigning for votes, citizen." -- the so-called truth
Since when can't private citizens take up arms to assist people in need? Do you know what a community organizer does? Sen. Obama can tell you. And he did that many, many years before he ever ran for public office. Do you volunteer in your community? in your local schools? in your local hospitals? Well, I do, and I work 60-70 hour weeks. Did you travel to New Orleans to assist in the clean-up efforts, or did you instead, sit back and watch on tv how your tax dollars failed the citizens of New Orleans? Well, I was there and I saw with my own eyes.
So, the point is -- research before you denigrate; research before you criticize. Look within your own heart before you challenge the intentions and the hearts of others -- especially the hearts of those like Sen. Obama, mine and the hundreds of thousands of "private citizens" who DO ACT! Support whomever you wish, but speak facts, not fiction.
Again, where were you?
Posted by: BrwnSknGurl | February 7, 2008 8:17 PM
Yes...actions speak louder than words, and we all SAW THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIONS AFTER KATRINA!!!(THERE WEREN'T ANY!!!) I'LL BET IF OBAMA WAS PRESIDENT THAT WOULDN'T HAVE GONE DOWN THE WAY IT DID!!!' YOU NEED TO WATCH YOUR CHOICE OF WORDS...THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO YOU!!! I truly believe that when we die we're going to be judged on HOW WE TREAT OUR FELLOW MAN!!! THERE ARE SOME COLD-HEARTED PEOPLE OUT HERE IN THE WORLD!!! REMEMBER...GOD DON"T LIKE UGLY!!!
Posted by: Mary | February 7, 2008 8:42 PM
Good for you Brn Skn Gurl .
I guess it took a disaster to get people like you out to help. Maybe, you can drop what you're doing and go to Darfur or the poor of India or Palestine. Maybe, you can take that compassionate, altruistic streak and share it with the rest of the world. NOT
First of all never assume that others don't volunteer. Unlike you, I don't brag about what I do or have done for others. What you have done is admirable, SO WHAT? My actions are for God, not for a Senator or to get votes or to get your praise, poor worshipper of your brown Adonis. Again, lay your alms at Obama's altar, and continue your good works for your salvation, and sing "Halleiujah, I'm so good and I do good things. I am going to support the new prophet." Amen, amen
The New Orleans disaster is only a minor microcosm of the rest of the world; the rest of suffering humanity. Katrina is a small sample of God's vengeance on a nation that has destroyed other nations and other people. As ye sow, so shall ye reap. Amen
Facts - what are they? Perhaps
1. His contributions in dollars and cents?
2. Rolled up his sleeves and built a house like Pres. Carter (Habitat for Humanity)
Tell me the facts, not the empty verbiage.
And Mary, Yes, God don't like Ugly, but He also doesn't like arrogance and hubris (look it up)
Posted by: the truth | February 7, 2008 9:32 PM
Hey vo tech democrat, John E. Got anything of sustance today or just the usual untrue political smear links. Here's some advice. Do research and say something intelligent. It might make you look half sane.
Posted by: Jeff | February 7, 2008 10:23 PM
God also helps those who help themselves -- look up your own facts, preferably BEFORE you go spouting off about the intentions of others. And good luck, minister of half-truths!
Posted by: BrwnSknGurl | February 7, 2008 10:38 PM
I am voting for Barack. This country has taken advantage of black people for too long and it is OUR TURN!
The white trash who married Bill Clinton is not worthy of the black vote. They have not improved the lives of blacks when they were in power. Who can help me more? Barack.
He, like me has experienced the stigma of being a descendant of southern slaves (Kansas) and I know that he will fo the right thing when he is in office.
To anyone who is willing to listen, let us put Obama over the top again in Virginia, DC and Louisiana. Let us vote for our interests - like the good folks in South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia did!
Let's show the white trash Hillary that BLACK FOLKS OWN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!
Sam
Obama '08
Posted by: Samuel Blackburn | February 8, 2008 7:29 AM
God also helps those who help themselves -- look up your own facts, preferably BEFORE you go spouting off about the intentions of others. And good luck, minister of half-truths!
Posted by: BrwnSknGurl | February 7, 2008 10:38 PM
No half-truths here - just a reality check. Enjoy your day and remember God first BEFORE Obama.
Posted by: the truth | February 8, 2008 9:33 AM
Posted by: John D | February 7, 2008 3:50 PM
Posted by: Jeff | February 7, 2008 3:57 PM
I agree that Blanco and Nagin are "tools". But that doesn't erase the fact of the Incompetence of the initial response, which citizens need to rely on in times of natural disasters.
The incompetency was created when Bush put FEMA under the department of homeland security. It created red tape, that we cannot have.
You can't have beauracracy get in the way when lives are on the line.
Posted by: David J | February 8, 2008 11:20 AM
Hello: It seems to me the root of hope for reconstructing NOLA and for general prosperity in all of LA, is an enhanced and sustained profile outside LA. I've been working on solving these and related issues, here in eastern Canada, where we share a common heritage with LA cajuns. To all readers: If you love NOLA and wish for better days, help spread the word and support any form of LA cultural promotion or LA-theme events, where you live. If such a promotion takes the form of a fund-raiser, there's a national press blackout to overcome, to remind the public that reconstruction has been obscenely slow up to now. Meanwhile LA music & culture has been kept anonymous and low-key, outside the State. Regardless, it will definitely be worth the effort, because there's really is nothing like Louisiana culture, in the whole world!
Posted by: Anthony D. | February 8, 2008 11:21 AM
"He, like me has experienced the stigma of being a descendant of southern slaves (Kansas) and I know that he will fo the right thing when he is in office." Samuel Blackburn
Setting aside the other unfortunate remarks throughout your post, I think you should be reminded that Barack is not in fact a descendant of American slaves that we know of. His father was Kenyan and his mother white.
It was widely reported though that the white side of his family did OWN slaves. Hope that helps.
And by the way, I am an African-American descendant of slaves who fervently supports Hillary. So much for that "stigma" thing dictating blind solidarity....
Posted by: Biggdawg | February 8, 2008 1:33 PM
Do you volunteer in your community? in your local schools? in your local hospitals? Well, I do, and I work 60-70 hour weeks. Did you travel to New Orleans to assist in the clean-up efforts, or did you instead, sit back and watch on tv how your tax dollars failed the citizens of New Orleans? Well, I was there and I saw with my own eyes.
Posted by: BrwnSknGurl | February 7, 2008 8:17 PM
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you perform charitable acts, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others."
Matthew 6: 1-2
Posted by: Don't be hypocrite | February 8, 2008 2:32 PM
gospel words win the day.
obama is a god among men.
when he spoke about higher fuel efficiency standards, he didn't do so in front of an environmentalist group in los angeles--he went in front of the automakers in detroit.
i remember in 'when the levees broke' they showed graffiti on a katrina+FLOOD-ravaged home that said 'hope is not a plan'. i think it was in reference to bush's national prayers that brought not water, food, fema, the red cross, nor insurance money. but hope, it sure sounds like obama's plan. what's he going to do for baltimore? what's he going to do for america's tired, hungry, poor? what's he going to do for the least of his brothers? i bet they'll have to help themselves, because as much as i like to think of obama as jfk for generation why, he seems much more reformation than revolution. maybe the tidal wave we needs starts with just one vote. i don't know.
Posted by: matthew | February 10, 2008 1:29 AM