What (Mr.) Clinton Brought to New Orleans

I've finally located a complete enough report on what Hillary Clinton's designated surrogate, the former president, said in his sole pre-primary New Orleans appearance on Friday to offer a thought or two about it.

First, he appeared at Dillard, a historically black college which was severely damaged by flooding from one of the many breached levees.

Yet, according to the Times-Picayune's report, his recitation of his wife's policy prescriptions for the area were limited to (a) organizing a catastrophic insurance market and (b) financial incentives to spur reconstruction. In other words, he focused entirely on issues of recovery. What was missing? Exactly what's been missing from Sens. Edwards' and Obama's statements about New Orleans, an understanding of why the disaster occurred, and a pledge to take the necessary steps to prevent a repetition -- i.e., mandating a truly independent peer review and oversight for the Army Corps of Engineers, and full funding for a program of barrier island and coastal wetland restoration.

Second, the remarkable disparity between the Obama and Clinton crowds is attributed in the article to a disparity in the warning time people had before the appearances occurred. That seems to speak to a disparity in campaign organization.

Previously: What Obama Brought to New Orleans

Comments

[Countess]

Why put the country through another democratic loss in november when you have such a bright and dynamic alternative who can win against McCain.

[grisgris]

I agree. Obama can't beat McCain. Clinton can.
Ann Coulter said she was "endorsing" Clinton. Why would Coulter do that when she WORKS for the right? Simple. Coulter knows the Democrats hate her so she "endorsed" Clinton in the hopes it would turn Democrats/liberals away from Clinton and toward Obama.
The Sunday before Super Tuesday, Bill Kristol said "white women are a problem". Why did he say that? Simple. Hillary Clinton is a white woman. Kristol must have thought whatever backlash he got from FauxNews (if any) would be outweighed by what he really hoped to accomplish - to hurt Hillary Clinton.
Rush Limbaugh said he would work to raise money for Hillary Clinton. Do I have to spell this one out or are you beginning to get the picture?
Why is the MSM going out of its way to hurt Clinton and help Obama? Because they KNOW McCain can beat Obama! They are afraid Clinton can beat John "there will be more wars" McCain and SHE CAN!

[lisakaz]

Sorry but I believe it's the other way around. Hillary will galvanize opponents against her and she is the one who won't win.

I for one am not about to support an elected monarchy. Ever wonder about the loss of the Roman Republic? Well, we're seeing our go down the tubes. Hillary is not going to reverse this trend, even if she is capable of governance. Expect signing statements and spying, etc. to continue.

[stoprollingover]

Sorry, but you are wrong. Current polls show that only Obama can beat McCain.

[ayc]

Harry - I was surprised to read this statement - "Clinton said no member of Congress outside the Louisiana delegation has done more to help the state recover from the 2005 hurricanes than Hillary Clinton, who represents New York and is in a tough campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"I hope a lot of people will be there for Hillary as she has been there for you," the former president said during a 50-minute speech at Lawless Memorial Chapel on Dillard's Gentilly campus. "

Could you tell me how Senator Clinton has ben there for the people of NO; and if, in your opinion this statement is factual?
HARRY RESPONDS: I have no idea. Mary Landrieu, in her many interviews post-disaster, had not singled out Sen. Clinton, nor has Sen. Vitter, for what that's worth. No Dem Senator who's a committee chairman has called hearings to look into either the cause of or the response to the disaster.

[MrHumidty]

I'm a New Orleanian, pre- and post-Katrina. (I returned to the city two weeks after the storm.) I'm also an Obama supporter, so one could impune my candor. But I can honestly say that Hillary Clinton never flickered across my radar screen in the rebuilding process, and I'm pretty politically active. I do know Obama came to the city and held a hearing and conducted same fact finding.

[ayc]

Thanks Mr. Humidity.

[horacekent]

In my opinion, the Clintons are politically filthy. Nothing is beneath them & they will say & do anything to win. Should they win, they will come into the White House with 20+ years of political favors to payback & lobbyist to please.

Why can't we make a clean break & fresh start?

I know why the Clintons are fighting to gain & retain power. I think Bill is terrified of being eclipsed by Barack - prior to Obama, many saw Bill as the most charismatic leader, capable of communicating & connecting with people in a way, not seen for a longtime. Compared to Obama, Bill looks quite ordinary.

Do we really want to have to look at, hear & deal with the Clintons again? What's wrong with us? Don't we feel worthy of going for something so much better? The Clintons are filthy!

[hank48188]

I hate to break this to you Horace but the people behind the rapid rise of Obama are the very same people that put Jimmy Carter on an unsuspecting American public in 1976. Ziggy Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor for Jimmy Carter brings along David Rockerfeller and George Soros, men with billions and the rest of the eastern elite liberals. Obama will be someone easy to control and Obama will be a great front-man for them. He is weak and can't make a decision, thats were the Bezezinski crew comes in with all their advice and know-how bring their Internationalist viewpoint.

[DietrichMoody]

Hate to break this to you hank. First, men learn from experience, let's hope the same with Brzesinki, who showed that he learned from experience by opposing the Iraq war, as a bad strategic move. Clinton has showed that she would hire Attilla the Hun, as long as he would get her elected. Oh, and hate to break this to you too, The Clintons are the most controllable, other peoples hands are in their backs, telling them which levers to push. They've been around longer, and owe a lot of favors.

[meokie]

Harry, Have you contacted Senator Obama to share your, and my btw, concerns and sensibilities regarding the realities of the situation? If not please do.

[happytrails]

Would someone please enlighten me, did any of the Clintons get near Louisiana before the campaigns started? I don't know the answer.

[ayc]

It appears the answer to that, for Senator Clinton, is no. Both Edwards and Obama have been on the ground in LA before.

[clevelandchick]

John Edwards beat them all to it by announcing his candidacy from New Orleans.

[stoprollingover]

Yes, please do, Harry. You probably know more about this issue than anyone else, and I believe he would welcome a meeting with you. Why not give him a chance, and then you can report back to us about the meeting. In fact, ask for a meeting with Clinton, too.