Louisiana governor defends decision not to federalize Guard units

[The Straight Story]

Louisiana governor defends decision not to federalize Guard units

By Elaine S. Povich, CongressDaily
Louisiana Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco on Thursday defended her rejection of President Bush's request to federalize the Louisiana National Guard in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, taking issue with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's description of chaos surrounding the decision.

"The mayor was not in the meeting ," Blanco told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "I told the president that the proper way is for me, as governor, to remain in control of the National Guard," Blanco said.

....

Blanco also described being pressured with a midnight phone call from White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, intended to make her give up control of her troops. "It was a very different kind of pressure," she said. "I was offended."

She was pressed to sign a "memorandum of understanding" that would federalize her Guard units and when she asked why the hurry, she was told that the president wanted it in time for a news conference the following morning.

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=33295&dcn=todaysnews

[CottonBear]

1. We know * didn't pressure the AL & MS Govs this way. * is a bastard.

:grr: Blanco needs to stand firm. History will reveal that she was right.

[magellan]

2. This is why NOLA was left blowing in the breeze by BushCo

Blanco did absolutely the right thing. The administration's subsequent response to the emergency (need I remind anyone, zip) was petulant. They allowed thousands to die just to get one back on Blanco.