Obama pays attention

First Read:

"Twice in almost the same breath, Obama made a point that the president needs to be 'in touch with the needs of New Orleans before the hurricane hits' and that 'we've got to have a president who understands the reality that people in New Orleans were being neglected prior to the hurricane.'

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Challenge the presidential contenders to present their N. O. plans.

We now have Clinton and Edwards on the record about their plans for New Orleans' recovery. It's time to get Obama, Richardson, Giuliani, McCain, and all the rest of the presidential field to be specific about their plans. New Orleans needs to be one of the premier campaign issues. How will each candidate work for the restoration of one of America's great cities.

Clinton wants to rebuild Charity, create a jobs program, and provide Cat 5 protection.

You can find some information on Democratic candidates' stances here. Does anyone have a list of comprehensive statements on New Orleans by presidential candidates of both parties?

Update: Better link to Wayward Episcopalian

There will be a hearing on Katrina after all.

This seems to be good news.

BATON ROUGE - The next battleground to fix blame over why the response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita is so slow shifts to New Orleans on Monday morning, with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., providing the star power.

The official title of the hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs gives a clue as to its purpose: "Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Outstanding Need, Slow Progress."
. . . .
"We are at war here," Leger said.

Hmm, could get interesting.