Nagin points out continuing problems
One of the refrains about this is that Nagin is no Guiliani. The problem with that comparison is Rudy had TV cameras with him throughout the crisis–Nagin indicates that he’s only had one or two cameras seeking him out during the crisis and that most of his press was when he made himself available for an interview and that TV wasn’t present–maybe one other tv camera that came from time to time. (more video here)
His original update on Monday night was on that indicated a calm man who was doing his best to level with people about the extent of the destruction.
WBRZ has a phone call into from Nagin during the hurricane and talks about the flooding and already knows there are problems with levees though the extent isn’t clear. The 17th Street canal breach was reported during the hurricane.
WWL TV did an interview on Monday night that described initial damage. It was devastating to hear. What’s most interesting in the interview are two points–the breach in the 17th Street Levee (remember, the one that didn’t break until after this interview according to Chertoff–but that Nagin knew was a problem during the hurricane). The other issue that really tells part of the problem with FEMA is that by the time the hurricane had passed, there was little time for a visual inspection of the City, yet FEMA did an initial assessment where he got much of the information from including
1) the Twin Spans being destroyed (anchors turned white)
2) Extensive flooding in nearly all parts of the City except at the CBD, Algiers and the French Quarter (both CBD and FQ would later have some flooding)
3) expectation of electricity out for 4-6 weeks
4) no clear path in or out of the City
5) St. Benards in worst shape–total devastation
What has never changed are his three objectives
1) Save Lives
2) Evacuate people–arguing with other parishes—indicates he’s referring to the blockade on the bridge.
3) Pump out water.
The silliness of the criticisms because he was shrill on Thursday when no one would get the aid into the city that had been promised–yet you don’t see the same guy on Monday, or Tuesday or even Wednesday. How would Guiliani have acted if he hadn’t gotten help over 4 days?
Comparing the two situations where he was, by all accounts, all over the City for days, without press coverage compared to Guiliani who had press with him the entire time is a bit bizarre.
The hard-core Bushies (not even so much conservatives in general) want the “Nagin is no Giuliani” meme to stick — it helps muddy the waters and deflect criticism of Dear Leader.
Larry, you’re spot on. Giuliani was mayor of NYC, hq for the 3 major networks’ news divisions. Whether he directed it or not he benefitted politically (even culturally, ie, “America’s Mayor”) from the 24/7 news coverage which included him to a great degree.
Nagin’s doing the best he can and is getting yeoman’s work from his forces (police, fire, etc). Whatever the legalities of declaring a mandatory evac or not (or even of commandeering things like busses, fuel, etc and forcing the deputization of bus drivers, etc) Nagin is doing what any mayor would do: commanding his city through a crisis.
Hi Larry,
Did you see Nagin on Meet the Press yesterday? I thought he handled himself excellently, including the questions about evacuation.
The interesting thing is that although he was scathing of FEMA, he was, on a personal level, much more angry with Blanco than with Bush. I wonder if there’s always been bad blood between them, going back to the Jindal endoresment. Do you know what any other officials in LA have said about Blanco’s handling of Katrina?
I did. And he’s the only one taking *any* responsibility for mistakes.
There are problems with others. Broussard and her had many fights over Contraflow in the past and I know St. Bernard Parish officials were upset with her not sending more Guard troops out.
I know Boasso was angry too–he’s the State Senator who led his own flotilla–though in each of these cases, they were more angry at FEMA.
I’m still confused why she only had 250 National Guard troops in New Orleans and why it took so long to get the Louisiana National Guard into New Orleans–I get all the other problems with New Mexico and other states being a federal problem, but ultimately, she had more troops to use and I haven’t figured out why she didn’t.
Part of the problem is most of the press is confusing what troops they are talking about and no one seems to ask the question in a way to differentiate the use of state resources versus national–like the reporters may not understand.
It’s possible that Blanco was concerned that she might need the National Guard for other cities in Louisiana hit by Katrina. That’s the only reason I can think of for her reluctance to send more Guardsmen into New Orleans.