McCain slams Bush for Katrina, but what was he doing then?

[ViolaLee]

Oh he would have personally gone there eh? Hmmm...what was he doing while the people were drowning in New Orleans?

NEW ORLEANS — Sen. John McCain yesterday blasted the Bush administration's handling of Hurricane Katrina as "disgraceful," declaring he would have handled it differently than the president by personally flying to the nearest Air Force base to oversee the response.

"Never again. Never again will a disaster of this nature be handled in the terrible and disgraceful way that it was handled. Never again. Never again," Mr. McCain said, speaking at St. David Catholic Church in the city's Lower Ninth Ward.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee clearly distanced himself from President Bush, saying the administration has left Hurricane Katrina victims mired in red tape, preventing them from returning home.

"The stories are myriad about the bureaucracy," Mr. McCain told reporters on board his campaign bus as he visited with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a fellow Republican, before touring a neighborhood in the Ninth Ward. That area's low-income residents are still struggling to rebuild from the storm that wiped out swaths of land in August 2005.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080425/NATION/672252767/1001

Where was McCain while the people were left in the stadiums without help for days and days? What was he doing while people waved for help on the roofs of buildings and got carried away by flood waters? He says Bush should have gone there in person? He was with Bush, in person, and apparently he forgot to mention that idea to the President. They were busy. Having birthday cake.

http://hometown.aol.com/musenla/2005/Q3/bushcake.jpg

Licking their fingers.

http://hughesforamerica.typepad.com/hughes_for_america/images/capt.azsw10208291734.bush_azsw102.jpg

Looks like fun!

http://www.rubyan.com/politics/ad%20birthday.jpg

They had a good old time.

While New Orleans drowned.

[Drocket]

This is the sort of stuff that, if you'd write it for a book or movie, people would consider it laughably bad. I mean, what sort of idiotic presidential candidate would even bring up the previous president's response to a disaster like this when he was so famously screwing around wasting time with the man while the disaster was going on? Bringing up the subject is like tattooing a target on your back for people to attack you, especially knowing that these sort of photos exist (talk about "let them eat cake"...) Who would be dumb enough to make themselves open to attack like this?

[ViolaLee]

This is the sort of stuff that, if you'd write it for a book or movie, people would consider it laughably bad. I mean, what sort of idiotic presidential candidate would even bring up the previous president's response to a disaster like this when he was so famously screwing around wasting time with the man while the disaster was going on? Bringing up the subject is like tattooing a target on your back for people to attack you, especially knowing that these sort of photos exist (talk about "let them eat cake"...) Who would be dumb enough to make themselves open to attack like this?A senile old man who is getting a free ride from the media?

[micfranklin]

1. McCain is criticizing Bush this time?:shock:

2. This will not be played on any news station at all, swept under the rug just like Hagee.

[Trish]

Oh he would have personally gone there eh? Hmmm...what was he doing while the people were drowning in New Orleans?



http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080425/NATION/672252767/1001

Where was McCain while the people were left in the stadiums without help for days and days? What was he doing while people waved for help on the roofs of buildings and got carried away by flood waters? He says Bush should have gone there in person? He was with Bush, in person, and apparently he forgot to mention that idea to the President. They were busy. Having birthday cake.

http://hometown.aol.com/musenla/2005/Q3/bushcake.jpg

Licking their fingers.

http://hughesforamerica.typepad.com/hughes_for_america/images/capt.azsw10208291734.bush_azsw102.jpg

Looks like fun!

http://www.rubyan.com/politics/ad%20birthday.jpg

They had a good old time.

While New Orleans drowned.


I think McCain was commenting on how he would have reacted IF he had been president at the time and contrasting it to what Bush did, or rather didn't, do. But if the criticism is that McCain didn't do anything himself, where were Obama and Clinton during Katrina while people were drowning? In fact, where were ANY of our national leaders? Exactly how many were in NO helping? Media coverage was quite extensive here, and except for fly-through visits after the fact by one or two people, I don't recall ANY political figures actually being in NO helping out.

[Drocket]

I think McCain was commenting on how he would have reacted IF he had been president at the time and contrasting it to what Bush did, or rather didn't, do.
The problem is that he was standing right beside Bush during this time. If he thought that Bush's response was insufficient, how hard would it have been for him to elbow Bush in the ribs and say, "You know, there IS a major national disaster going on. Maybe you should do something about that..."? Instead they stood around and ate cake. Its rather clear that McCain felt just as much urgency about Katrina as Bush did - absolutely none.

But if the criticism is that McCain didn't do anything himself, where were Obama and Clinton during Katrina while people were drowning?
Here (http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/when-the-cameras-are-off-barack-obamas-hurricane-katrina-record/) is a list of what Obama's done - doing his job proposing bill after bill to fix what went wrong. Almost all of which, it's worth mentioning, McCain opposed.

[Trish]

But what has been done since Katrina isn't the point of the OP is it? The point was who wasn't doing anything during Katrina.

I don't really know why Bush and McCain were expected to do something during Katrina. The NO Mayor wasn't in NO during Katrina, the LA Governor wasn't in NO during Katrina. Why should Bush or McCain have been in NO during Katrina? Were thousands of people wrongly left in NO during the storm? Yeah, they were - and that's the fault of the mayor and the governor. I can speak with a lot more experience than some on this board about hurricanes. I live near Houston. I evacuated after Rita. The Texas Governor, the mayors of Galveston, Houston, and other such communities took action BEFORE Rita to get out as many people as possible from the threatened areas. They used all kinds of buses, including school buses (like the hundreds that were NOT used in NO) to evacuate people who had no other transportation.

So if we want to start casting blame for the deplorable situation in NO during Katrina - let's start with the ones primarily responsible - Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Kathleen Blanco. Then we can apportion whatever blame is left to Bush or others.

[micfranklin]

I blame Nagin for not issuing warnings at the right time, I blame the people for not getting out on time (not that some of them could get out) and I blame Bush for not getting FEMA down there on time.

Not sure it matters whether McCain did or didn't do anything.

[lily]

I think McCain was commenting on how he would have reacted IF he had been president at the time and contrasting it to what Bush did, or rather didn't, do. But if the criticism is that McCain didn't do anything himself, where were Obama and Clinton during Katrina while people were drowning?

Well.....I can tell you where they weren't. They weren't having their picture taken laughing and eating cake.........and then years later when they want to appear like they care, say they would do things differently.

In fact, where were ANY of our national leaders? Exactly how many were in NO helping? Media coverage was quite extensive here, and except for fly-through visits after the fact by one or two people, I don't recall ANY political figures actually being in NO helping out.

Al Gore flew his private jet down, with supplies and did his best to help on his own dime.......he didn't have to wait to be told 3 days later just how bad it was, as the rest of the world watched and Bush still didn't do anything...even telling Brownie he was doing a heck of a job......talk about clueless.......if you want to make excuses for McCain and Bush.....don't let me stop you.......I can't wait for this to be used in a campaign ad.......he's looking more senile every day.


So if we want to start casting blame for the deplorable situation in NO during Katrina - let's start with the ones primarily responsible - Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Kathleen Blanco. Then we can apportion whatever blame is left to Bush or others.

None on the right are going to lay any blame on Bush for his total in-action while he was again on vacation........hey I give him points for the fly-over on his way back! Now that took inititive!

[BoogyMan]

None on the right are going to lay any blame on Bush for his total in-action while he was again on vacation........hey I give him points for the fly-over on his way back! Now that took inititive!

And not a word about Nagin and Blanco who are of PRIMARY responsibility.

Lets not forget the pic below.

200

[lily]

And not a word about Nagin and Blanco who are of PRIMARY responsibility.

Lets not forget the pic below.

200

I'll tell you what......why not start a thread on that subject.....you see, this thread is about McCain saying he would do things differently, while standing right next to Bush eating Birthday cake and having a BLAST.....while people suffered.


Nagin and Blanco, are off topic, unless you can somehow show me a picture that they were with the President of the United States eating Birthday cake and then saying they would do things differently........that Boogy, is the topic of this thread.

[Phyxius]

I'll tell you what......why not start a thread on that subject.....you see, this thread is about McCain saying he would do things differently, while standing right next to Bush eating Birthday cake and having a BLAST.....while people suffered.


Nagin and Blanco, are off topic, unless you can somehow show me a picture that they were with the President of the United States eating Birthday cake and then saying they would do things differently........that Boogy, is the topic of this thread.

But if he did that, he wouldn't have the chance to bash a Democrat for a REPUBLICAN'S hypocrisy. And what fun would that be? :madlaugh:

[Elrathin]

I remember not so long ago some Republicans and Conservatives saying that this administration was not at fault in the least for what happened.

Now their candidate for President is saying there was fault in this administration for what happened. Where are their comments now?

[BoogyMan]

I'll tell you what......why not start a thread on that subject.....you see, this thread is about McCain saying he would do things differently, while standing right next to Bush eating Birthday cake and having a BLAST.....while people suffered.


Nagin and Blanco, are off topic, unless you can somehow show me a picture that they were with the President of the United States eating Birthday cake and then saying they would do things differently........that Boogy, is the topic of this thread.

LOL, somehow I expected this kind of response. In that case your Gore comments are off-topic as well dear lady. :D

McCain was not president during Katrina and even if he were president he would not be of primary responsibility for dealing with the aftermath of Katrina.

[Phyxius]

I remember not so long ago some Republicans and Conservatives saying that this administration was not at fault in the least for what happened.

Now their candidate for President is saying there was fault in this administration for what happened. Where are their comments now?

Ahhhh, yes. Another Inconvenient Truth... :madlaugh:

[BoogyMan]

I remember not so long ago some Republicans and Conservatives saying that this administration was not at fault in the least for what happened.

Now their candidate for President is saying there was fault in this administration for what happened. Where are their comments now?

How is Senator McCain having a different idea of how things should have been handled make the administration responsible for the complete lack of local response?

[Elrathin]

How is Senator McCain having a different idea of how things should have been handled make the administration responsible for the complete lack of local response?

It means that YOUR candidate is saying there was fault in this administration for Katrina. Something die hard conservatives and Republicans have said is not the case.

But I would be willing to bet those die hards will still be voting for McCain anyway right? Hypocrisy at it's finest.

[BoogyMan]

It means that YOUR candidate is saying there was fault in this administration for Katrina. Something die hard conservatives and Republicans have said is not the case.

But I would be willing to bet those die hards will still be voting for McCain anyway right? Hypocrisy at it's finest.

It means that McCain doesn't like the way that Bush handled the whole thing, the gotcha game you are trying to play is subjective at best.

[Elrathin]

It means that McCain doesn't like the way that Bush handled the whole thing, the gotcha game you are trying to play is subjective at best.

Die hards have said Bush handled it well and correct. So they shouldn't vote for McCain for going against Bush.

[BoogyMan]

Die hards have said Bush handled it well and correct. So they shouldn't vote for McCain for going against Bush.

I really don't see your point El, are we not allowed to view things differently in our own parties now? Apparently McCain feels that he could have done a better job.

[Trish]

Well.....I can tell you where they weren't. They weren't having their picture taken laughing and eating cake.........and then years later when they want to appear like they care, say they would do things differently.



Al Gore flew his private jet down, with supplies and did his best to help on his own dime.......he didn't have to wait to be told 3 days later just how bad it was, as the rest of the world watched and Bush still didn't do anything...even telling Brownie he was doing a heck of a job......talk about clueless.......if you want to make excuses for McCain and Bush.....don't let me stop you.......I can't wait for this to be used in a campaign ad.......he's looking more senile every day.




None on the right are going to lay any blame on Bush for his total in-action while he was again on vacation........hey I give him points for the fly-over on his way back! Now that took inititive!

Gore flew his his private jet down during Katrina? I must have missed that. As I said in my original response - I don't think there were any national leaders in NO during Katrina. There were some afterwards yeah, mostly brief photo ops, but some making trips to help - but there weren't ANY there at all while people "were drowning."

I don't know where you live lily, or if you've ever been through a hurricane. I've been through several, although only 3 or 4 (if you count bad tropical storms) that caused widespread evacuations. DURING any hurricane, there aren't any people running around with supplies trying to help out except emergency personnel. It just doesn't happen. BEFORE and AFTER the storm there is plenty of activity and/or help. You want to blame Bush for the debacle in NO - go ahead. You want to blame McCain for not going to NO and dragging Bush with him - go ahead. It doesn't change the fact that THEY were not the ones responsible for the big mess to begin with. Nagin was useless as tits on a boar. Blanco was a day late and a dollar short. If THEY had done THEIR jobs right, many of the lives lost might have been saved and much of the chaos afterwards could have been avoided. If you have any doubts take a look at the way Texas handled Rita (AFTER stepping in to help out Katrina victims). Compare the actions of Texas mayors and governor to those of Louisiana.

So while I'm not on the right I am certainly not going to hold McCain any more responsible for the total fuck up that was NO than Obama, Clinton or for that matter Louisiana's representatives - who weren't there either! Hell, I'm sure everyone would have handled Katrina response differently than was done if they knew then what we know now.

[lily]

LOL, somehow I expected this kind of response.

What response was that........to stay on topic?

In that case your Gore comments are off-topic as well dear lady. :D

If you say so.....I was responding to a question, not changing the topic.

McCain was not president during Katrina and even if he were president he would not be of primary responsibility for dealing with the aftermath of Katrina.

Yep! It's much more important having your picture taken with with the President eating cake, so that you might have them handy if you want his endorsement for president......who would have thought that those pictures would not only be useless, but come back to bite him in the ass?

Was he president? Nope....Bush his birthday cake buddy was......saying you would do things differently while standing next to the man, having the time of your life, instead of actually you know........doing things differently OR at the very least, nudge him and tell him there is a catastrophy going on, people in your own country are being called rufugees.......PEOPLE ARE DYING............hey but who can pass up a good photo-op?

...........or a good piece of cake.

[BoogyMan]

Birthday-cake buddy? hehe, that one just might stick to Mccain.

You know what they say about hindsight, it is usually 20/20. McCain is not a hypocrite for looking back and seeing something he feels could be done better.

[lily]

Gore flew his his private jet down during Katrina? I must have missed that. As I said in my original response - I don't think there were any national leaders in NO during Katrina. There were some afterwards yeah, mostly brief photo ops, but some making trips to help - but there weren't ANY there at all while people "were drowning."

Yeah, Trish.....I meant right during Katrina.:unreal:

Link (http://hungeski.gnn.tv/blogs/9178/Al_Gore_Rescues_Katrina_Victims)

So while I'm not on the right I am certainly not going to hold McCain any more responsible for the total fuck up that was NO than Obama, Clinton or for that matter Louisiana's representatives - who weren't there either! Hell, I'm sure everyone would have handled Katrina response differently than was done if they knew then what we know now.

.......as I said.....show me any pictures of Obama or Clinton laughing it up, while people suffer, then say I would do things differently and then we'll talk. Like it or not Bush lost an entire city.......while McCain and him were having a Birthday party.......if he would have done things differently, then was the time to say something.......not now while he's pandering NO for their vote.

You know......I'll even go one step further.......nothing was done for 3 days!

[Elrathin]

You know what they say about hindsight, it is usually 20/20.

But then that doesn't apply to Obama and his Pastor right?

[Trish]

Yeah, Trish.....I meant right during Katrina.:unreal:

Link (http://hungeski.gnn.tv/blogs/9178/Al_Gore_Rescues_Katrina_Victims)



.......as I said.....show me any pictures of Obama or Clinton laughing it up, while people suffer, then say I would do things differently and then we'll talk. Like it or not Bush lost an entire city.......while McCain and him were having a Birthday party.......if he would have done things differently, then was the time to say something.......not now while he's pandering NO for their vote.

You know......I'll even go one step further.......nothing was done for 3 days!

Sorry, lily - but not even Al Gore can fly a plane into a Cat 4 hurricane! According to the first sentence in the article you linked Gore wasn't there until 5 days after Katrina - that's 2 days after your 3 day period!

"Al Gore was instrumental in rescuing Katrina victims from New Orleans on the fifth day after the hurricane hit and destroyed the city."

Bush didn't lose a city. A freaking hurricane hit the city and the local and state government officials who were PRIMARILY responsible for the welfare of NO citizens screwed up, most notably Nagin. Should there have been better and faster federal response? Yeah, there should have been. However, if Nagin and Blanco had done their jobs properly things wouldn't have been so critical.

[BoogyMan]

But then that doesn't apply to Obama and his Pastor right?

I will invite you to quote me on what you appear to feel is my apparent commentary about Obama and Mr. Wright. I will give you a little help to keep you from searching for something that doesn't exist by telling you I have made no such commentary.

[Elrathin]

I will invite you to quote me on what you appear to feel is my apparent commentary about Obama and Mr. Wright. I will give you a little help to keep you from searching for something that doesn't exist by telling you I have made no such commentary.

Yes but I can say you're lack of comment about those on the right does come into question what you really believe? Maybe you can once and for all let us know what you think about others on the right doing it?

[lily]

Sorry, lily - but not even Al Gore can fly a plane into a Cat 4 hurricane! According to the first sentence in the article you linked Gore wasn't there until 5 days after Katrina - that's 2 days after your 3 day period!

Oh for the love of God Trish.........I never said he flew a plane into the hurricane.........let me help you here.......see smilie?:shame:

"Al Gore was instrumental in rescuing Katrina victims from New Orleans on the fifth day after the hurricane hit and destroyed the city."

What was Bush doing on the fifth day? I don't think he even took those cameras and lights into the city until how many days later?? Like it or not, a private citizen did more than he did.........for free.

Bush didn't lose a city. A freaking hurricane hit the city and the local and state government officials who were PRIMARILY responsible for the welfare of NO citizens screwed up, most notably Nagin. Should there have been better and faster federal response? Yeah, there should have been. However, if Nagin and Blanco had done their jobs properly things wouldn't have been so critical.

He didn't lose a city? Is it rebuilt how many years later? Has any of the promises he made happen? How's that low and high mixed income housing coming along?

Anyway.........back to the topic........I'll bet McCain totally forgot all about those cake pictures........gonna love the Sunday morning talk shows.....if they weren't just discussing Obama and Clinton all morning........this probably won't even get coverage.........until the Democratic candidate wins.......then hold on to your birthday cake!!

[BoogyMan]

LOL, I love being held to account for something I have not even participated in El. You surely are joking. This has WHAT to do with McCain?[/quote]

[Elrathin]

Boogy the fact that you complain about how others treat McCain, but don't complain about how others treat Obama speaks volumes.

[Trish]

Oh for the love of God Trish.........I never said he flew a plane into the hurricane.........let me help you here.......see smilie?:shame:


What was Bush doing on the fifth day? I don't think he even took those cameras and lights into the city until how many days later?? Like it or not, a private citizen did more than he did.........for free.



He didn't lose a city? Is it rebuilt how many years later? Has any of the promises he made happen? How's that low and high mixed income housing coming along?

Anyway.........back to the topic........I'll bet McCain totally forgot all about those cake pictures........gonna love the Sunday morning talk shows.....if they weren't just discussing Obama and Clinton all morning........this probably won't even get coverage.........until the Democratic candidate wins.......then hold on to your birthday cake!!

And I wasn't suggesting he was the pilot. You said he flew his private jet to NO with supplies DURING Katrina. He didn't. He was there 5 days after the fact. I'm not diminishing what he did. It was a great humanitarian effort and he deserves much credit for it. However, it was after - not during and for this thread an important distinction.

[BoogyMan]

Boogy the fact that you complain about how others treat McCain, but don't complain about how others treat Obama speaks volumes.

This is assumptive and a red herring.

http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/red-herring.html

Have you heard me complain about how McCain is being treated? No, but you have seen me offer alternatives to the way his actions are being read.

[lily]

And I wasn't suggesting he was the pilot. You said he flew his private jet to NO with supplies DURING Katrina. He didn't. He was there 5 days after the fact. I'm not diminishing what he did. It was a great humanitarian effort and he deserves much credit for it. However, it was after - not during and for this thread an important distinction.


Trish you want to nit-pick and put words in my mouth? Ok.......I'll play.

I said:

Al Gore flew his private jet down, with supplies and did his best to help on
his own dime.......he didn't have to wait to be told 3 days later just how
bad it was, as the rest of the world watched and Bush still didn't do
anything...even telling Brownie he was doing a heck of a job......talk about
clueless.......if you want to make excuses for McCain and Bush.....don't let
me stop you.......I can't wait for this to be used in a campaign
ad.......he's looking more senile every day.

You said:
Gore flew his his private jet down during Katrina? I must have missed that.
As I said in my original response - I don't think there were any national
leaders in NO during Katrina. There were some afterwards yeah, mostly brief
photo ops, but some making trips to help - but there weren't ANY there at
all while people "were drowning."

Then I said:

Yeah, Trish.....I meant right during Katrina.:shame:

Oh......I made a mistake by 2 days...........which again was 2 days more than Bush did anything...........and how many days before McCain?

YOU are the one saying he flew down during the hurricane.

[Trish]

Trish you want to nit-pick and put words in my mouth? Ok.......I'll play.



Oh......I made a mistake by 2 days...........which again was 2 days more than Bush did anything...........and how many days before McCain?

YOU are the one saying he flew down during the hurricane.

Nope - I asked for clarification that he flew down DURING Katrina instead of after. You replied:
" Yeah, Trish.....I meant right during Katrina.:shame:"

[apdst]

Blah, blah, blah, but neither McCain, Obama, Hillary, or Landrieau have come up with a way to make 18-wheelers float. I mention that, because, ultimately, the 5 feet of water that covered most of New Orleans proper is what slowed down the supply effort.

The next time this happens--and there will be a next time--the only thing that can be done differently is to totally evacuate the city. We all know that that won't happen, but that's all that can be done to change the outcome.

I love listening to Liberals piss and moan about Hurrican Katrina. It's as if New Orleans was the only place that was hit. Ya never hear them talk about places like Empire, Port Sulpher, Venice, Point a la Hache, or Delacroix; places that saw far more devistation than New Orleans. Hell, Bogalusa, which saw more structural damage than New Orleans, and that's way up in Washington Parish. And we sure as hell aren't going to hear about places that virtually ceased to exists, such as Cameron and Grand Chenier, or places that did, in fact, cease to exist like Holly Beach and Johnson's Bayou.

While we're all passing judgment on what McCain was doing during the hurricane, lets ask what every other member of congress was doing. I don't recall seeing a single one on the ground in New Orleans, or anywhere else in the other 98% of the effected areas. I think Mary Landrieau flew over in a chopper and called a backhoe a crane.