The New York Times is calling on Sen. David Vitter to “get out of the way” when it comes to President Barack Obama’s nomination of Craig Fugate as the next director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Nominated by Obama two months ago, Fugate, who was appointed as Florida’s emergency management director by former Gov. Jeb Bush, enjoys bipartisan support and is widely regarded as eminently qualified. Vitter is using a procedural tactic to hold up Fugate’s nomination because he says he wants answers from FEMA on why it is denying rebuilding assistance to projects in Grand Isle (more on that here). Vitter says he will lift his hold on the nomination once he gets a satisfactory response on FEMA's policy.
Vitter has already been admonished by the White House and Senate colleagues for holding up the FEMA director nomination just weeks before hurricane season starts. Vitter has since sent out a campaign e-mail to supporters responding to the criticism. Today, in an editorial titled, ‘doin a heck of a job Senator’ — a reference to former President George W. Bush’s infamous quote praising ex-FEMA chief Michael Brown (or Brownie, as Bush called him) in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina — The Times writes:
It’s a no-brainer that the cause of FEMA management and all disaster-related issues will be better addressed once Mr. Fugate takes the helm. Other senators in vulnerable states are rightly chafing at Mr. Vitter’s “hold.” One fellow Republican, Senator Mel Martinez of Florida, wisely warns that Mr. Vitter is practicing “dangerous politics” as the storm season brews. Mr. Fugate, he says, “needs to be in there.”
The Gulf Coast’s post-Katrina problems remain legion, as Shaila Dewan of The Times reported after visiting some of the thousands in Louisiana who are still without rebuilt homes. Mr. Fugate is a proven professional. That is what Louisiana and the rest of the nation need before the next hurricane hits. Senator Vitter should get out of the way.
Anything from the ny slimes is either a lie, a violation of national security, or both. Glad to see it gasping like a gar out of water...
... written by stormyfan , May 11, 2009 - 05:36 pm
keep up the good work, vitter, cuz stormy's comin'!
... written by Tanya J. , May 11, 2009 - 06:02 pm
Well said James S. I am praying the people of Louisiana will keep Mr. Vitter in office as long as he is willing to serve. He seems to be the only one with a backbone these days.
... written by ipa , May 11, 2009 - 06:10 pm
At this rate, David Vitter is setting himself up for a landslide defeat at the hands of Stormy Daniels. STORMY [BLEEPING] DANIELS!!!
In all seriousness: David Vitter's grandstanding is nothing more than a ploy to get votes in hurricane-ravaged areas next year. Why did he not hold Michael Brown or David Paulison accountable for their actions or lack thereof? Oh, wait. They were Bush's boys.
If the Louisiana Republican Party is smart, it will urge (and hopefully convince) Secretary of State Jay Dardenne to run for Senate and fully support his bid. It doesn't seem that the Democrats have a strong candidate to run just yet, so this could be the perfect opportunity for the Republicans to hold on to that Senate seat.
We're still a year-and-a-half away from the election, so weird things can (and probably will) happen in this race.
... written by Robert Karma , May 11, 2009 - 06:18 pm
Vitter would oppose anything that the Obama Administration is attempting to do for the American people. He is desperately hoping that all of the attention on his stubborn opposition will get Louisiana voters to forget just how hypocritical he has been in his personal life. We know for certain he hooked up with D.C prostitutes and there is evidence he also had call girls here in Louisiana while at the same time he made his name by being such a stridently vocal proponent of 'family values.' It seems the more radically these politicians shift to the right, the more hypocrisy they live out as they believe in the 'do as I say and not as I do' approach to their behavior. So Vitter will continue to oppose Mr. Fugate despite Fugate's overwhelming Republican support and impeccable credentials. All Vitter cares about is David Vitter and to hell with the citizens of Louisiana. He is an embarrassment to our state.
... written by Old Codger , May 11, 2009 - 08:29 pm
Like all jerks, especially Republican jerks, it's always 'my way or the highway'. Vitter is finished politically and he knows it. I can't fathom the thinking behind... Wait, there is NO THINKING on his part for these actions. Stubborn stupidity is OUT OF FASHION. Don't you get it?
... written by IMJacquemo , May 11, 2009 - 09:33 pm
Good for David Vitter! The feds consistently take the attitude that it is their way or the highway. He is simply reminding them about something called "the separation of power". I think it is great that the jr. senator from little old Louisiana can block the appointment of a bureaucrat that has so much potential to impact our state. FEMA has misrepresented itself time and again to Louisiana. Let the new director earn our senator's (and our) trust. After all, past directors of FEMA seemed to have forgotten that they were "public servants". And, get off that old tired horse of an excuse about Vitter's mistakes/indiscretions. Sounds like a broken record. (you too Nathan) God forgives...and you can't? Bet you've done something in your life you wish you hadn't. Since when does the right have a monopoly on hyprocrisy. Do your homework, about the left, past and present, and if you are not amazed, perhaps you will at least be enlightened. I think David Vitter is doing a great job, in general. He is one of the few with the cajones to stand up to that ridiculous, out of touch circus we call Congress and the bureaucracy. Oh,and don't bet Stormy Daniels can beat David. A fool and his money soon go separate ways.
... written by Phil , May 11, 2009 - 11:35 pm
Who needs FEMA? All they can do is screw things up. The guy from Florida is probably pretty good, they have a good record over there at FLEMA. Meanwhile Vitter, hold their feet to the fire on delivering what they promised.
... written by JP , May 12, 2009 - 02:44 pm
IMJacquemo, you praise Vitter for blocking the appointment of Mr. Fugate to head FEMA. So, exactly what is it about Mr. Fugate that makes him unqualified for the job? Any examples in his past performance that concern you? See, I suspect that you don't know anything about Mr. Fugate's qualifications. But don't worry, that's a common malaise of partisan behavior.
... written by J. W. Hellums , May 12, 2009 - 05:14 pm
Keep up the good work Mr. Vitter. It is a shame Katrina Mary has no backbone as well. Who cares what the Libs in NY think. Fugate is another Obama "Lap Dog"!
... written by CAB , May 12, 2009 - 07:49 pm
Hey, JP. To answer your question,"So, exactly what is it about Mr. Fugate that makes him unqualified for the job? Any examples in his past performance that concern you?" The answer is absolutely nothing. Vitter is not questioning his qualifications. Since FEMA refuses to answer our repeated requests regarding the lack of funding for the Grand Isle projects and the Republicans no longer even have the power to filibuster, he is simply using a procedural tactic to try to get a response. Try to read the article next time before you comment. Vitter's actions are perfectly legitimate.
... written by IMJacquemo , May 12, 2009 - 08:25 pm
JP: First off, Mr. Fugate has never operated at the federal level, a much bigger and unwieldy bureacracy as compared to someone who's experience is limited to state goverment. But that is not my point. FEMA, without a director, continues to stonewall David Vitter regarding his specific requests on projects here in Louisiana. FEMA needs to stop being so immersed in its own self importance and react in a timely fashion to our elected official's needs. Until that is done, let them hang in the wind.
... written by Chiefpeted , May 13, 2009 - 01:53 am
David Vitter is the only bright spot in Washington. I am proud to have him represent us. He stands for what I stand for. He stands up to the Democratic clowns we have in Congress, and the ultimate traitor and imposter, Barak H. Obama (what a damn name. Did we forget that Muslims have bombed, killed, maimed innocent civiliand and innocent soldiers for the last 30 years). It is time that we Conservatives get mad, mean, and stop backing down from liberal politicians that are only padding their own nest, and wouldn't know the truth if it was attached below their navel.
... written by ETEE , May 13, 2009 - 09:34 am
With the Democrats making a laughing stock of themselves by surepticiously supporting a Porn Queen for Senator in Louisiana, David Vitter will have no problem in his Senatorial re-election campaign. Aside from the bastion of Black Democratic voters in New Orleans chanting "Gimmee Somethin' Mister", FEMA is a filthy four letter word in this state. After the Democrat takeover of Congress in 2006, FEMA dollars doled out by our "Federal Benefactors" seem to be utilized more for Democrat Party Patronage rather than Bi-partisan need. Needless to say, you won't see an Escalade or Excursion without a set of "24's and Spinners" that hasn't been paid for with "'da FEMA check".
... written by JP , May 13, 2009 - 04:01 pm
CAB, I don't think much of FEMA and agree they should provide requested info, but you didn't answer my question so the point remains. IMJacquemo, quite a few presidents were governors before.; some of them were actually pretty good. I suspect that a whole lot of people with no prior fed experience have been successful in federal government. I don't think your argument holds merit as to why Mr. Fugate is not qualified. To the other partisan posters, thanks for the laughs. I see stereotypes are still all the rage in your shrinking echo chamber.
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