After Storm, She Tries to Mend State, and Career (LA Gov - Blanco)

[funkybutt]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/29/national/29blanco.html?hp&ex=1135832400&en=5b660ea19dd84d7d&ei=5094&partner=homepage

She is struggling to rebuild a shattered state. But along the way, Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana is also working to repair a wounded reputation - her own.

She has been mocked as weepy and indecisive by radio talk show hosts who deride her as "momma governor." She has feuded with the White House, which did not invite her to a recent announcement on levee protection. She has been criticized on Capitol Hill by Republicans as having made a "dysfunctional" response to Hurricane Katrina.

--snip--

In a Dec. 14 hearing, Republicans peppered Ms. Blanco with questions about why she did not order a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans and why she resisted President's Bush's proposal to federalize national guard troops.

Ms. Blanco returned their fire gamely. When Representative Jeff Miller, Republican of Florida, called it "not acceptable" that Louisiana had suffered 1,100 deaths in one storm, "one-half of the men and women that we have lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom," Ms. Blanco shot back, "Then it's not acceptable for us to lose 52 soldiers either," referring to the state's losses in Iraq.

[CottonBear]

1. Why haven't the Rep. Govs of AL & MS been mocked & scorned?

Could it be because they are men and that they are Republican?

As a professional woman, a Democrat ad a Southerner, I can understand Blanco's dilemma: you can't win. The bastards will try to beat you down no matter what. :(

I hope she prevails to restore her state, the state of my husband and my mother's family.

Goddamn Bu$h* and his evil companions.

[Triana]

7. That was my first thought...

..she's a woman and a Dem. Not a snowball's chance in Hell no matter WHAT she does or doesn't do. But Ohhh geee, I guess that's just my "victim mentality" eh?

Let's ignore the facts about professional, Democratic women (that they're ALWAYS mocked, destroyed and get even LESS respect than male Dems do - without exception). Let's just blame the victim. It's easier than acknowledging the problem. That's the Republican thing to do, innit?

But, I don't think she's faultless either. I DO think she would not have gotten such rough treatment, and been mocked, belittled, and ignored so badly if she had the same faults, and made the same mistakes -- but was a male.

[SoCalDem]

2. I feel for her , BUT

she missed many opportunities to speak the truth. She had the public microphone, and cameras trained on her. That was her golden opportunity to issue the challenge. She could have said:

I am reluctant to rock the boat, because my state will need federal help, but I am also reluctant to let THIS administration steamroll over my state when it's at its most vulnerable... The comments of the administration are akin to extortion, and I will NOT stand for it."

Her tepid responses opened the door for the Rove-machine to do a number on her. She also did not apparently have a pow-wow early-on with Nagin. They needed to be in lockstep, and instead ended up pitted against each other..

She will not be re-elected, but probably it will be because so many democrats have been "banished" forever from the state..

She should finish her term and then write a tell all book and hit the lecture circuit. She has a story to tell and unfortunately, the media participated in the swift-boating she got, and they will not give her a platform to set the record straight.

[funkybutt]

3. Good point

She did make many mistakes. It made me so mad to see here kissing the president's ass after he had abandoned us for so long. "Thank you Mr. President, Thank you Mr. President"

Thanks for WHAT, exactly?

I also get very angry with the critics of her appearance at such a time of tragedy. She had bags under her eyes which seemed to me to be the result of crying and lack of sleep. I guess she didn't appear strong enough, but I, too, along with so many Louisianians were weepy during that time....still are.

No she will not be reelected. Will Jindal or Vitter be the next governor of Louisiana?

[SoCalDem]

4. It will be Bobby.. He's got dark skin going for him, and republicans

cannot pass up opportunities for faux-inclusion.

[funkybutt]

8. However, it is widely believed

down here...and I've heard it repeated many times that his dark skin "arabic" look is why he lost to her. The racist republicans down here (and especially in North Lousiana) couldnt bring themselves to vote for a "towelhead" <---as one North Louisiana elected official once referred to the Muslim population.

Jindal really goes overboard with his public discussions of christianity now. He says he will decide whether or not to run once he and his wife can get time to sit together and pray about it.

[Al-CIAda]

9. 'I ain't voting for no rag-head lookin' foriegner'

[SoCalDem]

11. There are some pips there, aren't there?

To tell you the truth, I think Joementum and his orthodox religious rantings is what really did in Gore. He was too ready to revel in his faith, and there are still southerners who are anti-semitic. They probably don't even realize it. The fundamentalists claim to favor Israel, but I doubt that they would have voted for having a jewish vice president.

[Al-CIAda]

10. email response from 'Bobby'..

My Fellow Louisianians,



Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have given the residents of Louisiana a new set of challenges, and we are now faced with the unparalleled task of rebuilding a large part of our state. We must meet the immediate needs of the people most devastated by this natural disaster, especially in this time of extreme need. A compassionate society must provide for the most basic needs, including affordable health care, housing, and nutrition, of its most vulnerable citizens in times of emergency.



Your email is important to me, and I will respond quickly. You can also contact my office directly at 1-800-958-0019.



In addition, I have compiled below a list of contact information for state and federal groups that might be of assistance, and I encourage you to contact them.

FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA

Louisiana Office of Homeland Security
and Emergency Preparedness: [phone]
www.ohsep.louisiana.gov


I will do all I can to provide you with additional information as we get it. We will continue to be strong through these challenging times.



Bobby

[Al-CIAda]

6. You are absolutely correct.

She needed to come out swinging.

[jarab]

5. Wishing the best for her and the state ....

but I think the state has the better recovery possibility.
...O...