MCCAIN IGNORES LOUISIANA AND HURRICANE GUSTAV IN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

Friday, September 5, 2008

LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 5, 2008

CONTACT: Scott Jordan 225-336-4155

MCCAIN IGNORES LOUISIANA AND HURRICANE GUSTAV IN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

At the Republican National Convention last night, John McCain delivered a 45-minute speech that was remarkably thin on any policy specifics or serious discussion of the issues. However, his speech was noteworthy in one aspect: it completely ignored Louisiana and the challenges the state continues to face in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.

McCain scaled back Monday’s opening ceremonies of the RNC due to Gustav, declaring, "This is a time when we have to do away with our party politics and we have to act as Americans.” But it was back to Republican politics as usual last night, as McCain showed how woefully out of touch he is with Louisiana. McCain is obviously unaware that nearly half of Louisiana residents are still without power, and Gov. Bobby Jindal has called utility companies’ timetable to restore power “unacceptable,” as estimates have some Louisiana residents without power for another 3-4 weeks. Jindal also said that FEMA’s efforts are not meeting the food and supply needs of residents affected by Hurricane Gustav.

“When it comes to hurricane recovery, John McCain is emulating George Bush and turning his back on Louisiana,” says Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington. “It’s just another example of how John McCain only offers more of the same failed policies of the Bush administration.”