LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (CNN) - Kentucky's governor is praising the Obama administration's prompt reaction to the fierce wintry weather that slammed his state.
"They really hit the ground running," said Steve Beshear, interviewed by CNN. "They're working very hard to get all the equipment and supplies here that we need."
Crews have been working to restore power and water service to hundreds of thousands of people. Beshear said that while he realizes "nothing moves fast enough," he said the federal assistance "has been a great help to us so far."
Beshear, a Democrat, explained that when the first wave of bad weather came through on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, officials realized that they needed additional help.
"I called the White House directly at that time. I had my other folks talking to FEMA, but I went straight to the top because we needed fast help," he said.
He said he spoke to the director of intergovernment relations and said she walked Kentucky's paperwork through. He said President Obama called him and told him he was announcing an emergency declaration for the state.
"I can't tell you how appreciative we were," the governor said. "He not only expressed his concern, but he obviously had the Kentuckians in his thoughts and prayers, and he communicated that to us."
Beshear noted that forecasters are warning of another storm front heading to the region early next week.
"If we do, we're putting out that word to the White House and FEMA right now, we're going to need even more help," he said.
From CNN Politics
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Another RED state that hated Obama is now reaping the rewards of his administration.
South Carolina is another – their state is broke and they will gets billions from the stimulus package that every republican voted against.
This is what I call shameful.
See how Obama even steps up to help people who hate him? If it was Bush Kentucky would be in the darkages before anyone sent a shovel.
great President we have.
And THIS ladies and gentlemen is how you expect an administration to respond to a disaster.
All Bush's people could do was make a PowerPoint during Katrina.
Contrast this with Katrina...lol
Pro-Obama propaganda on CNN. Obama doesn't care about the people who have to freeze to death in the cold winter. If he did he would support more offshore drilling and nuclearpower to help drive down energy cost. But Obama rather cowtow to the environmental lobby than pursue a common sense energy policy.
After the debacle that was Katrina,would you expect anything less than
a quick response to any weather related emergency.It's just good that
"Brownie"wasn't in charge.
This shows what people who really care about other people can accomplish.
THANK you Mr. President. NOW if the Republicans would just explain to their constituents WHY they voted AGAINST updating, repairing and improving the ENERGY GRIDS and ROADS in the mid-west and across the nation.
People matter.
No excusees about juristiction and how the goverenor didn't ask for help? Wow this guy might know what he's doing.
So long 8 wasted years under shrubbery
Well now we see that leadership does matter. Picking a good team is as in important as who the President is.
CR in WI, dude, get over yourself. It's a snowstorm, not a hurricane that affected three states. And EC, those grids haven't been updated since Carter. Get real people, your childish hate is pretty sad.
What, no letting "Brownie" worry about it?
thank you mr. president for being just that.. A LEADER CHOSEN BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
The Federal government knew that storm would hit certain areas. Why weren't they there with relief when the storm hit? After all, the area isn't under water.
After eight years of unresponsive federal government, we finally have people that react quickly.
Grateful says it best. It's all about whether the president cares or not. President Bush did not care, President Obama does. I wonder if any of the people in KY realize that their Republican officials just voted against any infrastructure investment.
I see a lack of comments on Obama admin actually in action...it figures the conservative atttach dogs dont like him to succeed in things
Enjoy it while you can because this horrific spending plan (no stimulus anywhere in it) will go down in history as the greatest blunder in the history of our Republic, taking Obama along with it.
Never ashamed to say that President Obama is MY President. Keep up the good work.
And don't even get me started on comparisons between this plan and Bush's. The Bush plan was to support failing financial insitution–vital to our economic recovery. Obama's spend at will plan is nothing but demo/socialist pet projects that will eventually lead to further devaluation of the dollar and will contribute nothing to this countriy's ability to produce competitive goods and services for the world markets.
Well hes a better man than Bush.Bush would have thumbed his nose at a poor or a blue state.
January 30th, 2009 3:02 pm ET
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Erik S. –You made that comment because you are obviously not in the middle of this storm. I am very happy that we have our electricity back up and running. There are nursing homes that went out of power. There are people dependent upon power for their health (with the fact that it's freezing cold) and you are going to say it's just "a snowstorm, not a hurricane." There may not be as much damage as Katrina, but lives have been saved thanks to the quick response.
I agree with most on this blog. We need to start asking questions as to why the Repubthugcans will not support ways to upgrade and repair our existing infrastructure!
IT'S A SNOW STORM! BIG DEAL! IT'S NOT EVEN A BLIZZARD! Once again we have the media promoting Obama's premise that the federal goverment is the answer to ALL problems. If something bad happens in your community, for God's sake, don't take matters into your own hands, don't join with your neighbors and try to solve the problem yourselves. Just sit back and wait for Big Brother Obama (the savior) and the federal government to come and TAKE CARE of you.