McCain toured the lower 9th ward Thursday, and criticized the Bush administration for its response to Hurricane Katrina. (Getty Images)
(CNN) - John McCain, speaking to supporters at Xavier University Thursday afternoon, blasted all levels of government - including the Bush administration - for the failed response to Hurricane Katrina.
“We know we didn’t have the right kind of leadership … where government agencies were getting information from watching cable television rather than have a flow of information,” McCain said.
“It was not only a perfect storm as far as its physical impact … it was a perfect storm as far as the federal, state and local governments’ inability.”
In a strong tone, McCain said “never again will there be a mismanaged natural disaster,” later assuring the crowd that “it will never happen again in this country, you have my commitment and my promise.”
McCain is currently on a week-long tour of economically struggling areas of the country, which included stops in Alabama, Ohio, Kentucky and Louisiana.
Earlier Thursday he toured New Orleans’ lower 9th ward, - among the areas hardest hit by Katrina - with his wife Cindy and Lousiana’s GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal. The three walked about 20 minutes through the lower ninth, stopping at a house being rebuilt by about a dozen volunteers from DeutscheBank in New York City.
"I'm proud to be in your company. You're what America's all about," McCain told them.
From CNN Politics
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If you don't live up to your promises Mr. McCain, I will hold you accountable. Just like I'm holding GWB accountable for his actions by not voting for him in November!!!
Thank you CNN, for the political ticker. I can't think of a better way to show congress just how dissatisfied I am.
Why should Sen. McCain be blamed for the failures of the Bush administration?
Let's kick the Bums out o fthe White House
The tide is turning for Hillary …
——– Oh no it’s a Tsunami to wash her away.——————————–
Go away Hillary
Barack Obama 08
How cheap is this move!?
If he wasn't running for Prez, he wouldn't have critisized nobody.......wow! These people really think we are gullible.
Since as he said he will keep us in Iraq for 100yrs, we will probably be in more debt that what we are in right now, FEMA will be destitute and poor economy will not allow disaster striken areas to bounce back like they should.
Obama 08
Poor Senator McCain, I guess the Reps have no chance then winning the Presidency........but then that means, the Reps are not energize, right? To be honest, I can't wait for the future....
Am I the ONLY one who noticed that after 71/2 YEARS of him kissing Bushs Arse he is trying REALLY hard to convince US that he wasn't????
Dude, you would have done the same. Dude you are a republican. Republicans are for the rich and that part of New Orleans was considered the poor.
Read my lips. He's running as a Republican. Who did absolutely nothing for New Orleans? The Republican party. He is no longer independent minded. More and more each day, he's walking and talking the Republican walk and talk.
What have the Republicans done for you in the last 8 years? Even if he was the most honorable man in the world (which he isn't), just remember who he's in lock step with these days.
The Young-uns are at it again–proving they can bite the hand that feeds them(old people). Guess what –if your heirs follow in your footsteps and inherit you nastiness and scorn for old folks–no matter how successful you are–it will be "sorry old Dude–but, you are old and it's Euthanasia for you "! What goes around usually comes around if you live long enough.
Sen. Mc Cain Where were you 3years back any way good try
If Hillary is not a nominee I will vote for you , do you know why
My vote is anti Obama
Hillary 08
Easy photo-op to take to make yourself look like a caring person of action. There is no one who would not agree. I do not see this as a solid ongoing cause for him though – where has he been since Katrina struck in 2005? If this will help at least one person in NOLA effected by the hurricane – then more power to him. But he's basically wasting his time to try to divert the black vote.
You go John McCain as the Democrats self-destruct!
Why in hell is he wearing a Navy hat? please look up VETERANS AGAINST mc cain (doesn´t deserve caps for his name)
The democrats did to Louisiana what they are doing to America.
Destroying it.
The only hope for this country is true conservative leadership.
Just watch, he will change his mind two or three more times like he did with the economy lately. Like Hillary, he will tell you what you want to hear.
Back talk express! McCain = Draft
Protect your children!!!!!
This is disgusting.
What were McCain's views during and after Katrina Prior to the comments attributed to him today? What did he do then to help the hapless people of New Orleans ?Why would an Old man use the tragedy of the American people for political gain? Did he Visit New Orleans prior to this time ?The American government failed her citizens in their hour of need at the time, and so did the senate of which McCain is a prominent and senior member.
Katrina struck in 2005 and we are only hearing McCain's voice on that horrible tragedy in 2008.
I hope McCain is not suffering from selective amnesia.
WHO CARE WHO SHE VOTING FOR,BUT I HOPE SHE HAS THE BRAINS NOT TO VOTE OBAMA . IF HE BECOMES PRISIDENT HE WILL BE THE NEXT STUPID PRESIDENT LIKE HER FATHER. OH YEA SHE PROBABLY WILL BECAUSE THEY LIKE STUPID PEOPLE,
Let's see:
Katrina took place in August 2005 and John McCain discovers the (REPUBLICAN) Administration bungling only at the end of April 2008?
Is that an example of John McCain FAST thinking???
McCain is trying to court the Black vote and if Clinton ends up as the nominee, it actually will work. Keep in mind that Blacks have ALWAYS voted for Democrats 90% up until now (including for Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Carter, etc.). They have been the most reliable constituency within the Democratic party, because Whites and Hispanics tend to split their votes between Democrats and Republicans.
But the dynamics have changed. Considering their strong support of Bill Clinton's presidency, Blacks are very upset that Hillary Clinton's campaign has constantly played the race card (e.g. South Carolina, MLK, Geraldine Ferraro and Bob Johnson), in order to shore up support amongst racists. In addition, everyone is aware that Obama has earned the nomination by beating Clinton when it comes to the popular vote, pledged delegates, states won and funds raised. So if the superdelegates do some back room deal and give the nomination to Clinton anyway, Blacks will be screaming racism and favoritism and they will NOT vote for her in November. No way, no how. In fact, they would vote FOR McCain as a show of protest against Clinton and the Democratic party. McCain knows this, so that's why he is sniffing around.
McCain is trying to court the Black vote and if Clinton ends up as the nominee, it actually will work. Keep in mind that Blacks have ALWAYS voted for Democrats 90% up until now (including for Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Carter, etc.). They have been the most reliable constituency within the Democratic party, because Whites and Hispanics tend to split their votes between Democrats and Republicans.
But the dynamics have changed. Considering their strong support of Bill Clinton's presidency, Blacks are very upset that Hillary Clinton's campaign has constantly played the race card (e.g. South Carolina, MLK, Geraldine Ferraro and Bob Johnson), in order to shore up support amongst racists. In addition, everyone is aware that Obama has earned the nomination by beating Clinton when it comes to the popular vote, pledged delegates, states won and funds raised. So if the superdelegates do some back room deal and give the nomination to Clinton anyway, Blacks will be screaming racism and favoritism and they will NOT vote for her in November. No way, no how. In fact, they would vote FOR McCain as a show of protest against Clinton and the Democratic party. McCain knows this, so that's why he is sniffing around.
"Some of those who hold office, are the same that burn crosses"
SORRY, MCBUSH...I THINK YOU ARE PANDERING TO US LIKE YOU WERE TO OLD HAGEE! IF YOU REALLY CARE...GET RID OF HAGEE TO BEGIN WITH. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE THAT YOU HAVE OUR INTEREST IN MIND, WHEN YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SO MANY RACIST. JUST A THOUGHT OF A GOOD STARTING POINT....
Awhhh leave mccain alone, pretty soon Obama will be out pushing little old ladies in their wheel chair and visting senior homes to get the older vote. its what all politicans do.
What about his wonderful supporter Pastor Haggee and his biggotted comments about New Orleans, why aren't the so called news channels going after McCain about him the way they did with Obama and Reverend Wright? Double standards or just plan discrimination?
What a joke. Remember your preacher says it's god's fault. The chickens came home to roost. Here comes the election and now he's outraged. Please...... As soon as he gets done rebuilding Iraq, he will get around to our people. Oh that's right he we be out of office in 100 years.