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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John McCain knows how to handle a disaster like Katrina. Afterall, he helped Noah build his ark.
It took this long, McCain must have been sleep, prior to his nomination.
You know, I hate reading comments on CNN's blogs. How is any of this about race?
Good for John McCain for speaking out against the federal AND state AND local response to this tragedy. But maybe he should be speaking out against the awful decision to build New Orleans where it is in the first place – when you live on sinking swamp land 10 feet below sea level and depend on substandard levees to keep you dry, you're sort of asking for trouble.
Sorry, wasn't he in the senate when Katrina happened? I don't remember him trying to do anything as a caring person then. Now he cares? Too little too late?
It's amazing how racist and agest the BO supporters are. You make the politics of old look like a pleasant tea party. How can he be a candidate of change when he is representing bigots like you? Sorry folks you flatter yourselves you are the same, and you represent the past.
Look at all the hate coming from the Obama supporters.... is this the "hope" and "change" we can expect if Obama becomes the president?
Why is he even in New Orleans to begin with when his "spiritual adviser" John Hagee said Katrina was punishment for the upcoming gay pride parade?
John McCain was member of the Keating Five. He accepted gifts, trips and contributions from Charles Keating. His actions helped delay (for 2 years) an investigation into Lincoln Savings and Loan.
Investors in Lincoln lost $190 million
Taxpayers bailed out the S&L's for $2.6 billion
John McCain had to return contributions of $112,000.
Cindy McCain bought property with Charles Keating as well.
John is really out there, thinking that he is actually going to get any of the black vote... the brother and sisters will vote for him at about the same time the vote 92%+ for Hillary!
Remember America: it is OK for blacks to be racist against whites, but you whites had better not try any of this stuff!
Do I have to sound illiterate or misspell the word "loser" to get posted?
Where was he when Katrina Happened!
I am just amazed how ALL of our politicians are only concerned about their positions and not the people.
He is accomplishing nothing, except looking as if he is pandering!
what hippocracy. another concerned government official acting like this is the first time he's seen the destruction....
gimmeabreak.
Sorry...., but I have no empathy for morons who remain in their under sea level homes after being given a week's notice to evacuate a category 5 hurricane!
If you can't head the warning then don't expect me to bail you out. Plain and simple, these people are morons, their children should be removed from their mindless care..
Get the facts, people:
1.) John McCain was captain of a slave ship in the late 1600's.
2.) He was the man who inserted into the constitution that black slaves count as only 2/3 of a person.
3.) He ran a slave-operated cotton plantation for over 80 years, from 1779 to 1862.
4.) He fought Abraham Lincoln tooth and nail over the Emancipation Proclamation.
5.) Most recently, he voted against making MLK,Jr's birthday a national holiday.
He has worked against African Americans for over 300 years!
Now that he's running for president, he's Mr. Empathy. What a pandering fraud!
Why was he here? He was at my university today, schmoozing with our President. I didn't bother to go, why sit and listen to someone lie to you for an hour?
Stupid mcCain
Say what he will, but the bottom line is that a vote for Senator John McCain is a vote for a fourth Bush term (don't forget Bush 41).
It wasn't just Bush IT WAS THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT. Where were the Congressmen and Women, Senators etc. from LA. Running also.
McCain is just talking but long overdue.
John McCain is now sorry for Katrina and a few weeks ago he was sorry for having voted no on the Martin Luther King Holiday. Another strategically political move. Shame on you McCain for thinking we are so dumb.
"John McCain is part of the federal government. During Katrina, he should have expressed his concerns and did something. "
So were Clinton & Obama. People seem to forget that point. All 3 of them have dirty hands.
I agree with Teacher!!! Why is it always the federal gov'ts fault? Finally Louisiana has a governor who will take some responsibilty when things like this happen (and there will be more hurricanes). Now they just need a new mayor. As far as McCain, just the third of the three liberals running for president. In this great country, are these really our best three possibilities???
John McCain is now sorry for Katrina and a few weeks ago he was sorry for having voted no on the Martin Luther King Holiday. Another strategically political move. Shame on you McCain for thinkings we are so dumb that we don't notice that.
These candidates REALLY think we are IDIOTS!!!!!!!!
Except Obama, of course.
John McCain is now sorry for Katrina and a few weeks ago he was sorry for having voted no on the Martin Luther King Holiday. Another strategically political move. Shame on you McCain for thinking we are so dumb that we don't notice that.
A good start as a Senator would be to amend the Federal Constitution with an ratified amendment which brings real Federal authority and brings weight to FEMA.