Of all the left-leaning pundits on CNN, Donna Brazile comes across as the most level-headed and the least smug, in part because the charismatic and sage Democratic strategist identifies herself as such and doesn’t pretend something she’s not (i.e., a nonpartisan observer). A few others may claim to be dispassionate, but they wear their liberal ideology on their sleeve.
And Brazile, despite her partisan leanings, does give Republicans credit where it is due as she did earlier today on CNN”s web-page, departing from the media-crafted narrative of the immediate past president’s incompetence in responding to the Katrina catastrophe:
Despite the many differences I had with former President George W. Bush on a range of public policy issues, or as he called them, “decision points,” I found common ground with him in one area, simply because we decided to put aside partisanship and do something good.
Hurricane Katrina’s devastation and the bungled rescue efforts are seared in the national memory. Bush’s “heckuva job” remark turned into a byword for government incompetence and public distrust. The shallowness of it coming at such a terrible and low point left deep wounds that are still healing. That was what it was.
Tapped in 2005 by the then-governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Blanco, “to serve on the state’s commission overseeing the long-term recovery from the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina,” Brazile saw more than just that one inopportune comment:
Bush understood the need for civility. I joined him despite my frustration because the need was too great for finger-pointing and blame-making. [Shortly after the hurricane hit,] He flew to New Orleans and addressed the nation: “Tonight I also offer this pledge to the American people: Throughout the area hit by the hurricane, we will do what it takes. We will stay as long as it takes to help citizens rebuild their communities and their lives.”
George W. Bush was good as his word. He visited the Gulf states 17 times; went 13 times to New Orleans. Laura Bush made 24 trips. Bush saw that $126 billion in aid was sent to the Gulf’s residents, as some members of his own party in Congress balked.
Bush put a special emphasis on rebuilding schools and universities. He didn’t forget African-Americans: Bush provided $400 million to the historically black colleges, now integrated, that remain a pride, and magnet for African-American students.
Read the whole thing.
It would be nice if more Democrats followed Brazile’s lead and acknowledged the basic decency of the immediate past president of the United States, his civility and his commitment to serving the American people, particularly citizens like those in Gulf region, displaced or otherwise harmed by a natural disaster.
When Major Hasan murdered 14 people at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009, the next day, President Bush visited those that were injured. No big press coverage.
********
Bush spokesman David Sherzer stated that although the former president’s trip to Fort Hood was somewhat spontaneous (i.e., it was planned the same day it took place), it was coordinated with base officials who were informed of it in advance. Bush had a Secret Service or military escort the entire time he was there, after a one-hour drive from his home in Crawford, TX. He spent 1 to 2 hours visiting the wounded and their families.
*********
That’s called “presidential.”
Seems like Bush was practicing the bipartisanship Democrats preach.
And while he was trying to fix the problem (Could have done without the $60Billion in pork, W), the Democrats who always preach about the need to work together were tearing him down for political advantage. And the public lapped it up.
As long as gutter politics works, people will have to accept being ruled by gutter politicians like Obama, Reid, and Pelosi.
In other words, Bush capitulated to her demands, emphasizing race-based demands, in, as she says, one area: Katrina. Some might question whether that’s worthy of praise. And after all, Brazile is the same woman who, in 1988, publicly insisted that GHW Bush confess to an affair (an affair he of course never had). Do you really think that someone who has proven themselves a venal partisan is to be lauded for agreeing with Bush in a single instance (grudgingly, it appears, as she mentions that she disagreed at all other times), and only because he threw money in directions she liked? I’m not certain his earning this faint praise was worth the investment, frankly.
The same media that crucified Bush because of Katrina has turned a blind eye to Obama’s handling of Sandy. They opted to ignore that non-profits were the first respondersfor Sandy–not the government. They didn’t cover the fact that people didn’t have electricity or heat for weeks in spite of the extremely cold weather. Obama was less effective dealing with Sandy than Bush was for Katrina but the Adminstration’s Pres will never tell us this.
In other words, Iggy is a racist. He hates Brazile because she’s black.
Regards,
Peter H.
It would come as no surprise this Democratic strategist will be punished for heresy!
Not really – she is part of the Dhimmicrat protected class so anything they say is excusable. Just like when former KKK Grand Wizard, Sen. Robert “Sheets” Byrd (D-WV) called blacks “n*ggers” on TV.
Besides, ol’ Donna has “street cred” on the DNC plantation.
And yes, I went there. Deal with it.
Regards,
Peter H.