Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and his vice presidential running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., talk with reporters in Dublin, Ohio about approaching Hurricane Gustav Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008.
Obama on Gustav: Preparation ‘appears to be good’
DUBLIN, Ohio
After conversations Saturday with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and emergency management officials about Hurricane Gustav, Barack Obama said cooperation between the local and federal government “appears to be good” but he will continue to monitor it.
“The main message,” Obama said, “is for the public in those areas that are potentially in danger to take the evacuation seriously, even if you have ridden out this storm before, even if you think that it may pass over, even if you think you can wait until the last minute, this is going to be potentially very, very serious.”
It was the second time Saturday that Obama had spoken with the press about the hurricane, now a Category 4 storm. After an evening rally here, Obama detailed his conversations with Jindal, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and R. David Paulison, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“This could be gigantic in terms of in its consequences,” said Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden, who stood at his side. “Ride out of town, get out of town. Do what the governor is suggesting.”
Obama said he did not have plans to visit the area, adding: “We can be a distraction in these situations.”
He declined to say whether President Bush should attend the Republican National Convention, where he is scheduled to speak on Monday.
“I don’t want to wade into the White House’s decision-making at this point,” Obama said. “The main priority has to be making sure that everything is being done on the ground to prevent a repeat of some of the tragic situations we saw several years ago. I think the White House is mindful of that, FEMA is mindful of that, and my expectation is that they are monitoring it very closely.”
Wild Thing’s comment………..
First I thought why are they bothering with Obama when our side is much more fun and interesting. heh heh
But then they are the media so I guess just maybe the media could be setting him up to take credit for a successful evacuation……. since, after all, the Republicans are to be safely ensconced at the polar opposite end of the Mississippi River.
It’s all about the ‘O’. ( O for Zero)
“cooperation between the local and federal government “appears to be good” but he will continue to monitor it”
Oh, he’ll continue to monitor it. Thank goodness! I feel better now. ( no thanks Obama)
They will continue to monitor, meaning ‘we will continue to look for victims’ to blame Bush .
Good? No, it’s fantastic! Bobby Jindahl is doing extremely well. He’s gotten everything lined up and in place for this storm. He’s told people to get out of town and head north, out of the storm’s path. But there will still be people waiting on that welfare check to come and will wait until the last minute and then cry foul. And Kanye West (I can’t stand this boy) will say Bush hates black people again. People forget that Bush asked Kathleen LoBlanco if she needed help and she told him No, Stay out. I can handle it. Well, obviously she couldn’t. And that Ray Nagin drives me bonkers. The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead in his head. I can’t believe the people of New Orleans reelected that idiot.
He should have commandeered those school busses and gotten anyone who could drive a stick shift to drive all over town, picking up people before the storm hit and heading north. They had their chances and they blew it.
My first thought was, “Who the **** is he to be monitoring anything?” Maybe Obama really does think he’s the Messiah.
Lynn, you make a good point about LoBlanco. What the MSM covered up is that President Bush could not do anything about the hurricane without the approval of the governor. She said no, then blamed him for the disaster.
You’re right about Nagin, too. But what was really disturbing is the fact that many of the people in New Orleans just sat around waiting to be rescued, and I’m not talking about invalids.
I wouldn’t have waited for the government to come down and fetch me. I’d have been hightailing it out of there, fast.
Mark……”we will continue to look for victims’ to blame Bush “…… exactly.
Lynn, yessssss Bobby Jindahl is doing an excellent job. What a difference with a conservative at the helm instead of that woman named Blanco that was Gov.
Trish, yes me too, storms like this people need to listen too. Very scary stuff.