Think Progress

Cao: Obama Administration ‘Has Been Tremendous’ For New Orleans On Katrina Recovery Effort

Last month, President Obama visted New Orleans for the first time since taking office and touted his administration’s focus on assisting the area’s still on-going recovery effort four years after Hurricane Katrina. “I’m pleased to report that we’ve made good progress,” he said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve made progress.”

But conservatives such as Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) criticized Obama’s visit calling it a “drive-through daiquiri summit,” while others “criticized the president for not touring the battered wetlands.”

Yesterday during an interview with Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA) — the lone Republican to vote for the House health care bill last week — Washington Times radio channeled the GOP criticism. “He didn’t even stick around very long during his trip,” the host said. But Cao defended what the administration has done for the area:

CAO: Well, I just want to set the record straight, that even though the President only visited New Orleans once since his election, it was a brief stay, but this administration has been tremendous for the people of the 2nd district. Secretary Napolitano has been down here three or four times, the secretary of HUD, the secretary of Education, they have been down here numerous times. [...]

So I guess for me, it’s not that important to have the visit of the President, its much more important for me that I have a good working relationship with the administration and have the commitment…from the administration to push all the recovery issues of the 2nd District forward and they have been doing that in the last 9 months.

Listen here:

Paul Rainwater, the executive director of the state-run Louisiana Recovery Authority, agrees with Cao’s approach. “I would say it’s more important to have your cabinet secretaries down here,” he said last month. Indeed, the White House said there were 22 visits by senior administration officials to the area from March to August, 13 of them by cabinet secretaries.



108 Responses to “Cao: Obama Administration ‘Has Been Tremendous’ For New Orleans On Katrina Recovery Effort”

  1. EnnuiDivine says:

    There’s no question Obama has done wonders for the people impacted by Katrina. Cao is showing respect where respect is due…unlike the rest of the GOP contingent from LA.

    Scalise. Vitter. Jindal.

    Cowards and callous, all of them.

    Here’s hoping Cao sees the light and joins the Dems. He’s all but guaranteed to lose the seat come 2010 regardless; he might have a political future as a Dem, though.


  2. Shayne says:

    Cao is a very bad Republican.


  3. noseeum says:

    President Obama has demonstrated more leadership in his first 10 months in office than Dufous Bush in his entire life.

    Debatable whether Dubby ever demonstrated any leadership capabilities.


  4. P.D. says:

    Watch out Cao. The Righties will be ready with daggers in their hands. A Repug with a conscience doesn’t sit well with your leaders.


  5. SkepticRising says:

    Does anyone get the feeling that Cao’s days as a Republican are waning?


  6. raynman says:

    Judging a President by what he is actually doing to help you rather than by cool looking photo ops is a dangerous precedent for a Republican….


  7. BrianFL says:

    What is Joseph Cao doing in the Republican Party? He is clearly much too intelligent and reasonable to be a member of that party.


  8. USNclerk says:

    I think he needs an invite to come over to the winning side. Cao is way to progressive minded to hang with the Rethuglicon party.


  9. P.D. says:

    Already the Repugs retaliated. They cancelled fundraisers and are trying to sabotage Cao behind the scenes. The man shows courage. Look what the Repugs did to Dede in NY23.


  10. galmud says:

    Its weird. Right-wingers often ridicule Obama and the left for thinking hes “the Messiah” which no credible person on the left has ever claimed.

    And yet they criticize Obama for not personally spending enough time in New Orleans, like his mere presence in the area would make some sort of miraculous difference.


  11. har5125 says:

    SkepticRising says:

    Does anyone get the feeling that Cao’s days as a Republican are waning?

    That may be true but might be a good thing for him considering La’s 2nd distict is 65% democrat and Cao is the first Republican they have elected since 1888.


  12. P.D. says:

    har@11, And the only reason is because Jefferson was found guilty after he had all that cash stashed in his freezer. But Cao did the right thing. But like you said, his district is mostly Democratic minorities, It’s a win for Cao either way.


  13. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    har5125 says:

    … and Cao is the first Republican they have elected since 1888.

    And hopefully, Cao will also be the LAST Republican they elect until 2088.


  14. USNclerk says:

    Would Bush’s presence made some “maraculous” differnce after katrina?
    It might have shown he gave a flying f@ck about anyone other than himself. Any other badly spelled stupid questions you want to ask?


  15. WillWrite4Food says:

    Oh c’mon, if Obama had spent a week in New Orleans camping out in the wetlands and devastated parts of the state, the right wingers would say he’s politicizing Katrina to boost his poll numbers. I’m glad to see there’s at least one respectable Louisiana Republican!


  16. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    SkepticRising says:

    Does anyone get the feeling that Cao’s days as a Republican are waning?

    Boss Limbaugh will NOT like this one bit…


  17. christopher wiwi says:

    He sounds like a real human being, not a re-puke who only cares about his campaign coffers and big business,the thing is Obama has done more for New Orleans in 11 shorts months than Dubya did in the first month of the aftermath and how many years later?


  18. The Moderate Squad says:

    orangy @ 13 – paying attention to the oncoming disaster before Katrina might have made a difference. C’mon, it was in the paper for days before it hit…


  19. Zimzone says:

    An honest Republican always stands out in the crowd.

    Come to think of it, they would be alone in the crowd.

    Thanks for some truth & common sense, Rep. Cao.


  20. Fred says:

    orangy says:
    John King to replace Lou Dobbs.

    removing dobbs was considered a plus by subtraction.


  21. Fred says:

    orangy says:
    cao=rino

    yes, isn’t that list getting rather long?


  22. Pilotshark says:

    The Moderate Squad says:
    orangy @ 13 – paying attention to the oncoming disaster before Katrina might have made a difference. C’mon, it was in the paper for days before it hit…

    the sad part it was in the news months after katrina hit as well but guess you doing a hack of a job brownie had it under control.


  23. Pilotshark says:

    orangy says:
    cao=rino

    LOL>>>>

    orangy= tino (troll in name only)


  24. Fred says:

    orangy, go back in the other room with the rest of the children.


  25. Democrat Soldier says:

    #22 – orangy says:
    ——————————————————–
    “cao=rino”
    November 12th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Well, since Rep. Cao is telling the truth and not telling lies about the Democrats or Pres. Obama, that makes him completely different than the Republicans cohorts in congress. So it is fair for you to refer to him as “Republican In Name Only”.


  26. shades says:

    #7 – Agreed. Perhaps becoming a republican was just a knee jerk response to having come from a communist country. Until recently the majority of Cuban immigrants also were republican but that seems to be changing. Perhaps now that Cao has proven himself to be more interested putting his constituents ahead of the GOP, he’ll make the change.


  27. Shayne says:

    orangy says:

    John King to replace Lou Dobbs.

    What, not ratings comparison still?


  28. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    orangy says:

    Would Bush’s presence made some “maraculous” differnce after katrina?
    November 12th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    _____________

    No, but a well-coordinated response by FEMA and other Federal agencies would have.


  29. Shayne says:

    If Bush had watch a news channel other than Fox after Katrina hit it wouldn’t have taken him three days to even think about doing something.


  30. Marie says:

    Guys I think we’re dealing with the name jacked orangy here.

    Not nice but whoever he is he’s very funny!


  31. USNclerk says:

    @31. That’s giving them too much credit. It would have been the proper response, calling it miraculous is giving far too much credit for a job they completely failed to do.


  32. Zimzone says:

    Shayne says:
    If Bush had watch a news channel other than Fox after Katrina hit it wouldn’t have taken him three days to even think about doing something.

    Wasn’t he playing guitar at McCain’s 160th birthday party?

    Oh, wait…McCain isn’t that young & Bush never could play guitar.


  33. Fred says:

    the name jacking is getting out of hand. It’s starting to be a real problem.


  34. Dave N says:

    SkepticRising says:

    Does anyone get the feeling that Cao’s days as a Republican are waning?

    The Magic 8-Ball says: “All signs point to Yes”


  35. christopher wiwi says:

    Is ORANGY the same color as the Boner and the rest of the Tanned Set?????


  36. STORM says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  37. mad doctor says:

    let’s get Louisiana fixed up once and for all. i has taken too long, no matter who’s in office.


  38. christopher wiwi says:

    Is Orangy short for orangutan?I didn`t think Trolls could possibly be that intelligent!!!!!!!!


  39. Virtual Pebble says:

    Giving credit where credit is due? Next we’ll find out that he’s interested in moving forward. Most unusual for a member of the Grossly Obstructionist Pissants. Yes, perhaps he should be invited to join the Democratic Party; he’ll probably wonder why he doesn’t after the character assassination campaign gets under way and the righties start looking for someone to run against him.


  40. Liz Morrison says:

    39, Forgot the headline:

    On Gulf Coast, Praise for Obama, Criticism of Visit

    Wonder why?


  41. Fred says:

    storm, all that is in the original thread posted for your benifit. Try reading first. You won’t look so dumb.

    as for Scalise, I don’t think anyone except the teabaggers like you are listening to him.


  42. USNclerk says:

    Is Orangy short for orangutan?I didn`t think Trolls could possibly be that intelligent!!!!!!!!

    @41, look at his spelling in post 13. He’s not that smart, I don’t think he’s related to orangutans at all.


  43. noseeum says:

    “orangy”

    The Cheetos are beginning to seep through his pores.


  44. Fred says:

    Liz, I think stormy is known as much for outright lying as for lying by omission.


  45. STORM says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  46. Fred says:

    mad doctor, have you got a t-shirt that says that?


  47. STORM says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  48. Fred says:

    no storm, just you. As liz pointed out, you quoted just the parts of the story you wanted.

    It’s dishonest. So we expect it from you.


  49. Fred says:

    STORM says:
    Obama’s visit was strictly politically motivated. The Mississippi Gulf coast did not vote for Obama.

    they voted for bush, why did he abandon them?


  50. tom says:

    Hmmmm. He voted for healthcare reform. Now this transgression.

    All that’s left is to criticize Limpballs and viola! . . . the trifecta of republican mortal sins.


  51. Virtual Pebble says:

    @ 39. STURMPUCKER …

    So, Sturmist, you can reiterate what was in the original post. That’s not terribly interesting, since it’s just regurgitation. We know that some people have taken a cheap shot or a dozen at President Obama for not being there full time or more often than the residents themselves, etc etc.

    Do you have anything interesting to say about Representative Cao? Or do you just disapprove of anyone who says anything positive about the administration? Tell us something new, not the same old rightie talking points BS.


  52. Xisithrus says:

    Orangy

    A word used to describe cheesy poof skidmarks in ones fruity of the loons briefs


  53. SlappyBastinado says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  54. Fred says:

    orangy says:
    Two words, joe c*ntwell.

    No orangy, Joe was witty and intelligent.


  55. Nothing With a Face says:

    “It looks like New Orleans has some of the most…”

    I got this far and stopped reading. Boring.


  56. Xisithrus says:

    It looks like New Orleans Wall Street has some of the most helpless people on the planet. Cant do anything with out government hand outs and free money

    Found Your Taint


  57. Fred says:

    slappy, talk to your welfare queen Steve Scalise

    he’s the beggar you speak of.


  58. Xisithrus says:

    Hey, Slurpee, how many times has Floriduh required assistance after hurricanes?


  59. Xisithrus says:

    Well, now that many of NOLAs people have moved to Houston, Dubby country, they can secede.


  60. Fred says:

    slappy thinks everyone should work for whatever an employer is willing to pay.

    It’s so un-American that I just can’t express my disgust with slappy.

    enjoy your stay in the darkness, it will last for a long time.


  61. SlappyBastinado says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  62. Fred says:

    SlappyBastinado says:
    Hey Xis….if some big natural event came ever so often and buggered up all my stuff….I would……oh I dont know….MOVE! Its a big world out there…..what are you so scared of?

    Yeah, it’s easy when you’re a single guy living in mom’s basement.

    Who cares what you think?


  63. SlappyBastinado says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  64. SlappyBastinado says:

    Fred….I do not have a basement but if I wanted one I would build it myself.


  65. Xisithrus says:

    Its a big world out there…..what are you so scared of?

    The many little minded simpletons that inhabit it.


  66. Nothing With a Face says:

    Is orangy name jacking Slappy?


  67. Fred says:

    you seem defensive slappy. Why?


  68. Fred says:

    slappy is a self made man, right slappy?


  69. SlappyBastinado says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  70. Xisithrus says:

    we welcome you Fred to the business world.

    Ah, sit behind a desk, google for porn, look for crap on ebay, take three hour martini lunches. Hard work if ever there was.


  71. USNclerk says:

    @73. Make some sense!


  72. Fred says:

    slappy, you seem like you want to crack the whip.

    Are you delusional?


  73. dixie blood says:

    SlappyBastinado says:

    ——————————————————————————–

    Back to work!

    Cleaning his cave and smoking crack.


  74. Xisithrus says:

    All the people in earth quake zones should move, all those in flood plains should move, all those in brush fire areas should move, all those on the coast should move, all those in tornado alley should move.

    Whats left to move to slappy?


  75. Art says:

    “P.D. says:

    Already the Repugs retaliated. They cancelled fundraisers and are trying to sabotage Cao behind the scenes. The man shows courage. Look what the Repugs did to Dede in NY23.”

    If they tried to run a “conservative party” candidate here in New Orleans, the Democrats would win in a heartbeat. As much as the Republicans don’t like what Cao is saying, they know he has to say it to win here.


  76. SlappyBastinado says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  77. Fred says:

    slappy, you make yourself look even more ignorant. You have a woodworking shop, maybe, big deal.

    Most of us make enough money to buy your crappy mill but who would want it?

    What will you do when we make you stop cutting trees?


  78. Nothing With a Face says:

    80, Portrait of a melt down.


  79. SlappyBastinado says:

    Fred…I still have all my fingers……Oh man…….its great to be me!


  80. Fred says:

    good, you won’t have to stop picking your nose just yet.


  81. noseeum says:

    SlappyBastinado says:
    “Fred…I still have all my fingers……Oh man…….its great to be me!”

    He can stihl manhandle his Pull-on.


  82. noseeum says:

    Fred says:
    “What will you do when we make you stop cutting trees?”

    Slappy will have to wipe his ass with a spotted owl.


  83. Pilotshark says:

    so Slappy were did you get your permits to cut wood? as dont you live on the Olympia peninsula? at lease you mentioned it last week.
    just wondering if its a legal job you are doing.


  84. pags2 says:

    The Louisiana Republicans are afraid that their days are numbered and the state will flip back to the Dems. If that happens, it will be the first crack in the Republican southern strategy. Florida would then be the next ripe target because they have a substantial number of voters who are inclined to vote Dem. The Republicans are going to be even more isolated if they lose more representatives in the south. They can win on the local levels but their influence in Washington will be diminished.


  85. SP Biloxi says:

    “Cao: Obama Administration ‘Has Been Tremendous’ For New Orleans On Katrina Recovery Effort”

    Wow, Cao does a 180 on the GOP. Cao is one of the few Republicans that call a spade a spade: Obama has done more from Louisiana in last than a year in office than the former clown President has done since he had been in office for two terms. Obama doesn’t necessary have to stay in Louisiana in length as the nimrod Rep. Steve Scalise criticized. It is Obama’s department heads and his administration that can be assistance to Louisiana and Cao to their needs. Like or dislike Cao, Cao is one of the few Repubs that is showing respect for the President. And I do hope that Cao continue to put his constituents and their needs first before the party. Louisianans first. Republican party last.


  86. SlappyBastinado says:

    Pilot….Willapa hills 200 miles south. Yes permits (forest excise tax) are required as well as environmental impact study IF you are located in certain areas as well as REPLANTING when finished. Size of cut, size of partial etc. My deal is you bring your logs to my mill and that way I avoid all the crap that you are responsible for.


  87. lux says:

    Good job Cao – and Good Job Obama. For whatever reasons we have a bipartisan effort – and that’s all that matters.

    Ignore slappy.. who’s response to natural disasters is ‘why didn’t they move?’ – idiot.

    Ignore the Republicans who would sink America in their efforts to save a dying party.

    This is good news Cao, and in the wave of continued pro-Democratic Party sentiment that will happen next november – you might have a shot because of all this, because you were one of the good ones.


  88. lux says:

    sad that they are canceling his fundraisers over this..

    In a recent report I heard Cao earns less than any other house member.. from what I recall his debt outweighs his earnings.

    One example of why he is sensible.. he appears to actually have a conscience and isn’t in the pocket of anyone but the constituents.

    I think we really need to stand behind him.. his party definitely isn’t going to.


  89. SlappyBastinado says:

    lux logic….stand infront of a storm and not move? I remember you………you were the guy I saw with a C-clamp on his head twisting it tighter and tighter and crying “it hurts, it hurts so bad, please stop”….and I am the idiot?


  90. lux says:

    Yeah slappy.. you are.

    Me and a friend moved to Arizona from Michigan due to the economy there. It was a couple years of planning.. the trip itself costed in the area of $6,000 – together with other expenses such as security deposits on new apartments and utilities – and also, considering it’s not easy lining up a new job from the other side of the country – we needed a nest egg to make sure we could get an income without ending up on the street.

    That’s what was necessary for such a move. If you want to live under the ignorant idea that you just throw your TV in the back of your car.. and start trucking down the road.. go ahead. That’s not how it works. I wanted to get out of Michigan’s bad situation for a long time.. many years – but it had a terrible economy – and as a result.. so did I – which only made the gathering of funds for the move that much more difficult.

    It’s simply not as simple as your little mind thinks.


  91. lux says:

    besides.. California has earthquakes, mudslides and wild fires. The mid-west has tornadoes. Florida, Louisiana and even Texas get hit by Hurricanes.. The northeast gets massive blizzards that immobilize the entire state. New York has been bracing for the eventual Hurricane itself.. if one hits there it will be horrific.

    Where did you want to move?

    I chose Phoenix, Arizona – it’s sunny all year round – we don’t have weather.. of any kind. We get the occasional monsoon.. A couple years ago the winds were 100 mph – it through Palm Trees through cement walls. – pretty nasty, but still I’ll take my chances here.


  92. lux says:

  93. bandit09 says:

    A politician he thinks more of his constituents than he does ideology? He sounds like a man who will ge elected again no matter what party his is in.


  94. soldier_girl says:

    The people in New Orleans need to stop looking for hand outs. President Obama will only give them a new means to be reliant on the goverment and upon the hard working tax payers money. But then isn’t President Obamas agenda to have a total goverment? Goverment Health Care. Goverment owned banks. Goverment owned Cars. Goverment Owned America.


  95. EugeneDebs says:

    SlappyBeggerino

    No matter how much you beg. No matter how stupid and pathetic you act there is no pity for you here.


  96. EugeneDebs says:

    soldiergirl

    Selfish, Ebenezer Scrooge worshipping heartless morons like YOu need to STFU and let Americans take care of Americans that have been victims of foul circumstances. Most of America is not as heartless and selfish as you are. We WANT to help those who have been hurt by the vagaries of nature and chance. YOU dont care about anyone but yourself. Keep being a heartless soulless piece of garbage. The HUMANS of the world pity you


  97. Mr.Duke says:

    So. And Bush was tremendous on sending money and and help to Africa for AIDS. … Your point is what exactly with this story?


  98. EugeneDebs says:

    Mr Duke

    Actually no he wasnt. Like most things Bush just lied about that. He PROMISED to send Africa billions then sent them a fraction of what he said he would. He used AIDS for a photo op. The only thing he ever cared about. You really are stupid. You do get that dont you?








  99. Fred says:





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