Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Recall Drive

On January 16, 2006, I posted an article, "We’ll Send You Home Again, Kathleen." This is a response e-mailed to me on February 2, 2006:

Recall not partisan? Give me a break. All recalls
are inherently partisan. Was it you who said that it is not partisan because most of her constituency is affected. Said it is not gender-based because the writer is a female. Telling me that a group of people is affected does not prove that it is not partisan.

The constituency to whom you refer is Black people. Get a grip! Your recall is so partisan it is glaring. Oh, by the way, I am black; fiscal conservative; and staunchly against abortion.

Signed: Stranded at the Convention Center after Katrina.

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My reply:

Thank you for your comment.

It is my opinion that the recall drive is as appropriate and unpartisan as one could ever hope it to be. Evidence shows Blanco’s incompetence and illustrates her overall lack of earnest compassion. False empathy is nothing new for Blanco, but now, her true persona has been publicly noticed.

This recall effort would be considered partisan if only members of one party were to sign the recall petition. If a Democrat would have rallied support for, and instigated, this drive, the question of partisan politics would not have even entered into the mix. Though a Republican initiated action, many Democrats are equally outraged at Ms. Blanco’s utter ineffectiveness. I’m certainly glad it was a woman who began this movement, as cries of gender-based prejudice would have certainly echoed through the halls of the State Capitol and resonated loudly through the blow horn of Blanco’s equally inept public relations staff.

The constituency referred to in my article is the entire State of Louisiana, and, in particular, the many poor PEOPLE left to suffer in the most dreadful conditions. To say that only African Americans suffered as a result of Katrina is nothing less than inane and borders on racist propaganda. Perhaps I missed your point when you wrote, “The constituency to whom you refer is Black people.” I know many Democrats who are not “Black,” and know quite a few Republicans who are. Is this an attempt to stereotype either African Americans or Democrats? In your e-mail, you state you are a “black; fiscal conservative; and staunchly against abortion.” You go on to sign your e-mail, “Stranded at the Convention Center after Katrina.” This is an interesting way of trying to separate yourself from your own self-created stereotype.

Actually, there were more than just African Americans stranded within New Orleans and the outlying area immediately after the storm. I remember seeing rescues of Hispanics, Asians, and Caucasians, of all ages, as well. Additionally, many people across all economic, racial, and political lines continue to face the effects of Blanco’s continued indecision and confusion each day. Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Communists, people of other political parties, Blacks, Whites, Yellows, Reds, any other people of color, the rich, the poor, and the middle class are each bearing the burden of her sheer lack of leadership.

Should she go? Yes. Will she be recalled? Probably not. Will she be reelected? Definitely not. Regardless, she has already left her mark on Louisiana’s history. It is unfortunate that our first female governor has turned out to be such a failure. Hopefully, the letdown experienced will not blind voters to future female candidates for office. Unfortunately, I think many will overlook such a candidate in an effort to forget the Blanco years.