First off, how about erstwhile Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La) having a Bus Related Meltdown (video here)? Blonde jokes never go out of style!
Then there's Congressman William Jefferson (D-La) who finagled a National Guard truck and armed escort so he could "tour his home district." Then the Congressman directed the truck to stop at his own house where he left the escort cooling its heels for an hour while he went inside alone and did a little packing - " a laptop computer, three suitcases, and a box about the size of a small refrigerator, which the enlisted men loaded up into the truck." Comedy then ensued when the the truck got stuck after sitting in the mud and the Congressman declined a lift by helicopter that had been diverted from real rescue work. Finally the National Guard sent another truck to haul out the Congressman and his loot. And loot it likely is, since just before the storm hit:
In an unrelated matter, authorities recently searched Jefferson's property as part of a federal investigation into the finances of a high-tech firm. Last month FBI officials raided Jefferson's house as well as his home in Washington, D.C., his car and his accountant's house.He was just picking up some clean undies, I guess.
Jefferson has not commented on that matter, except to say he is cooperating with the investigation. But he has emerged as a major voice in the post-Katrina political debate.
Last week, Jefferson set up a special trust fund for contributions to his legal defense in light of the FBI investigation. A senior federal law enforcement source tells ABC News that investigators are interested in learning if Jefferson moved any materials relevant to the investigation. Jefferson says he did not.
And how about ole Aaron Broussard, Jefferson Parish President (D), weeping through a bogus sob story on Meet the Press and blaming it all on the Federal Government. Of course, Aaron was probably feeling stressed - he'd just been supoeanaed by the Feds in a local corruption scandal.
As entertaining as the new cast is, however, the old favorites still have what it takes. Governor Kathleen "No Show" Blanco (D) first was miffed that there weren't enough bodies, and then it turns out she was caught on tape on August 31 wondering whether she really, really ought to ask for Federal troops and worrying about the poor looters. I have read the profiles that say ole Kathleen is "deliberate." Has anyone ever considered just plain slow?
And last but not least, there's NO Mayor Ray Nagin (D). Now that he's bought a house in Dallas, we've haven't seen too much of him, but he still hasn't lost that deft comedic touch:
"Appearing on NBC's "Dateline," Nagin was asked by host Stone Phillips: "What was mobilized? I mean were national guard troops in position. Were helicopters standing by? Were buses ready to take people away?"Maybe it was somebody on the Ghost Train?
"No. None of that," the Big Easy mayor replied.
"Why is that?" an incredulous Phillips asked.
Nagin replied: "I dont know. That is (a) question for somebody else."
The Louisiana Democrat didn't explain just who the "somebody else" was..."
It's going to take more than running the Mississippi through it to clean out this nest of charlatans and losers.
