When The Cameras Are Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record

It is nice that everyone is giving speeches and putting out ten-point plans to commemorate Hurricane Katrina. However, I’m more interested in knowing what people have been doing when the cameras were off. What is your record on this issue?

Here is Barack Obama’s record on rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.


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55 Responses to “When The Cameras Are Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record”

  1. Misty Fowler Says:

    Very enlightening information. Thanks!

  2. JM Bell Says:

    Great stuff. Thank you.

  3. Obama On Katrina; Not Just Talk » Comments From Left Field Says:

    [...] to the Think On These Things blog, at least when it comes to Katrina, Barack Obama has been busy off camera as well as on.  Despite representing a state nowhere near the landfall of hurricane Katrina, it would seem as [...]

  4. Twilight Blogger Says:

    Folks should be aware that the legislation that Senator Obama is now talking about was actually introduced by Senator Dodd and Obama has signed on as a co-sponsor. Senator Chris Dodd of CT is a serious man who deserves to have Democrats take a serious look at him as their nominee for president. He’s been a dedicated progressive for a long time – back when Hillary was a Republican and Edwards was busy making a fortune. And there is momentum building.

  5. sagereader Says:

    What legislation are you referring to that Obama ‘is now talking about’? He has a lot of Katrina legislation that he has either sponsored or co-sponsored.

    If you’re talking about the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act, as you see in the timeline– that was introduced by Chris Dodd with Obama as a co-sponsor. That bill relates specifically to housing issues. Obama’s detailed Hurricane Katrina plan is broader than that and Dodd’s bill does not address all pieces of Obama’s proposal.

    As was being discussed on the Skeptical Brotha blog, the bill addressing housing, S.1668, hasn’t made it out of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee. Chris Dodd is chairman of that committee. Why won’t Dodd’s committee push the bill through?

    Here are the people who are on that committee:

    http://banking.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Information.membership

  6. vwcat Says:

    I would like to see the other candidates record. I wish the msm would see this and comment on it. Especially if it’s sent with Hillary’s record. They could see she is really all brag and no action.

  7. sagereader Says:

    I have to give Hillary credit. I know she has done work in the Senate on behalf of Katrina as well. Maybe one of her supporters will pull it all together.

    I just think it’s good for people to know that Obama doesn’t just talk about change, he has actively worked on it–even when the media spotlight wasn’t there.

  8. Mike Says:

    This is really interesting. I never knew he did so much for Katrina.

    I don’t get it. Why does Barack not talk much about what he has done?

    He’s had more years of public service experience than Hillary and Edwards and has acchieved more as a legislator than those two, yet he doesn’t talk about that.

  9. sagereader Says:

    Well, it’s somewhat hard to do so in the ways that campaigns are run. He couldn’t read through this list for example during a 30-second answer at a televised debate. People just want to hear a one-liner. Newspaper articles and cable/local news shows would never get into all these specifics in a 1 minute news report. One-minute TV ads also wouldn’t allow time for it.

    Obama’s Senate office sends out press releases about much of his day-to-day gruntwork, but the media usually don’t cover it and instead focus on Obamagirl or what he looks like in a bathing suit.

    Even during his 30-minute stump speeches, as much as people say they want specifics, the majority really want to hear a motivational speech.

    Ironically though at the same time, people do want to know that he has specifics and experience even though media ads and stump speeches aren’t the places where they want to hear it.

    The rosy side of this though is that Obama has a GOOD problem. :) His problem is not that he needs to maintain secrecy–keeping people from learning about who he is and what he’s done in the past because they won’t like him, which is the case for some candidates. Obama’s problem is the opposite – simply needing to educate people about who he is and his record because the more they learn about him the more they will like him.

    We all have to be creative and use whatever means we can to make sure people know about his “wealth of experience” as Ted Sorensen says, before the caucuses begin. I aim to do this more on the blog over the next few weeks.

  10. Obama’s Voting Record in the Illinois State Senate « Think On These Things Says:

    [...] “When The Cameras Are Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record“ [...]

  11. Best Barack Obama Links for 2007-09-21 : United in the States Says:

    [...] When The Cameras Are Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record « Think On These Things: An excellent post I somehow missed on Obama’s Katrina efforts. (tags: obama: katrina: ) [...]

  12. A Black Obama Supporter’s Advice Back To Diddy « Think On These Things Says:

    [...] there are people who have already “had their lives changed” through his work.  Look, here’s an example to get you [...]

  13. NPR: FEMA Trailers May Be Making Residents Sick « Think On These Things Says:

    [...] Read about Obama’s other efforts regarding Hurricane Katrina here. [...]

  14. Jesse Jackson Needs To Blame Media, Not Barack Obama For Neglecting Issues Facing Blacks « Think On These Things Says:

    [...] his extensive work on Hurricane Katrina, including recently working to test FEMA trailers? I appreciate Edwards announcing his candidacy in [...]

  15. Obama Calls On President To Protect Affordable Housing In New Orleans « Think On These Things Says:

    [...] Also See: “When The Cameras Are Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record“ [...]

  16. Louisiana and Missouri Voter Registration Deadline - January 9, 2008 « Think On These Things Says:

    [...] For Louisiana voters, don’t forget to read “When the Camera’s Were Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record.” [...]

  17. Video Clip: Barack Obama Speech on Hurricane Katrina and Gulf Coast Rebuilding « Think On These Things Says:

    [...] See: “When the Cameras Were Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record“  and “Barack Obama’s Plan to Rebuild the Gulf Coast and Make Sure Catastrophic [...]

  18. Barack Obama's legislative achievements | Dangerous Intersection Says:

    [...] * Various bills concerning the response to Hurricane Katrina, including an amendment putting strict limits on the use of no-bid contracts after disasters, requiring planning for the evacuation of people with special needs and senior citizens, creating a National Emergency Family Locator System, etc. [...]

  19. The Crossed Pond » Just One Thing? Says:

    [...] * Various bills concerning the response to Hurricane Katrina, including an amendment putting strict limits on the use of no-bid contracts after disasters, requiring planning for the evacuation of people with special needs and senior citizens, creating a National Emergency Family Locator System, etc. [...]

  20. Video: Where Was John McCain on Hurricane Katrina? « Think On These Things Says:

    [...] Also, read about Barack Obama’s work on Katrina here. [...]

  21. Obama 2008/2012 Says:

    Yeah but McCain ate some cake with Bush… er…

  22. appletree » Blog Archive » Obama and New Orleans Says:

    [...] wasn’t from Louisiana. But Barack Obama never forgot about the people of New Orleans, and he continues to push for a comprehensive recovery plan, affordable housing, and an investigation into FEMA’s toxic [...]

  23. US 08 Presidential Campaign General Discussion Thread #7 - Page 12 - U2 Feedback Says:

    [...] life so far? That’s a fair resumé question. ethics reform securing "loose nukes" various disaster response bills a good summary of various bills he’s cosponsored can be found here [...]

  24. US 08 Presidential Campaign General Discussion Thread #7 - Page 13 - U2 Feedback Says:

    [...] various disaster response bills Nothing distinctive here, who was against massive aid and probes into our disaster management post-Katrina? a good summary of various bills he’s cosponsored can be found here[/quote] If you compared all 100 Senate records with no names attached would Senator Obama’s really jump out as exemplary, extraordinary or even above average? __________________ +++KLAATU BARACKA NIKTO+++ [...]

  25. Mike McGee Says:

    No, really, I thought this was going to be about what Obama did off the record.

  26. Judy Calvin Says:

    We cannot let this ever happen to any American city.New Orleans is the soul of America….I will never forget the people on roof tops….There sign said HELP US……HELP US…..People are still waiting for help…….Shame on you Bush,McCain…..Last week it was how many homes do you own????? How about how many homes and lives were lost ????New Orleans is a tragic …….Over 200,000 homes lost….We can’t ever let this happen again…send this to countdown@msnbc.com and to Barack Obama……People hate bush in New Orleans….The votes are there….All the musicans that are going to play tonight have been to New Orleans for the JAZZ AND HERITAGE FEST…..The musicans and actors CARE….

  27. Nate Says:

    I would like to see this timeline compared to John McCain’s response

  28. lisaHussein Says:

    If you wouldn’t mind I’d like to send this info to everyone on my distribution list. You should also put a digg it link on here. THIS IS WHAT OUR FUTURE POTUS IS ABOUT — McCain, not so much

  29. deborah Says:

    no one gets it…i am ashamed of all those leading us forward. We are all in this together. The comments and critisim lets me jknow how far we still have to go. Put your energy into helping this earth which has sustained us keep sustaing human life.

  30. Obama will raise taxes « The Urban Uprising Says:

    [...] legislation requiring states to create an emergency evacuation plan for society’s most vulnerable The above comes from Think On These Things and he/she has links to the sources of these facts. It [...]

  31. jaya pai Says:

    please please fellow bloggers, give this link , over and over in every blog response you write,, about the achievements of Senator Obama,, this is not a joke people,, he is being called empty pants.. get this article out every time,, thanks

  32. Raleigh Council for Moveon.org » Who is the True Patriot? Says:

    [...] OBAMA/KATRINA http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/when-the-cameras-are-off-barack-obamas-hurricane-... [...]

  33. yeah right Says:

    Obama gets to put his name on someone else’s legislation; Obama starts campaigning for president; Obama releases podcast to promote himself; legislation passes in Senate; Obama continues campaigning for president; legislation is put in the mail; legislation is amended; Obama holds press conference; Obama continues campaigning. President signs legislation…

    Ten accomplishments, w/one “co-sponsored” (that’s code for, “here, sign this and it will help when you run for president.”) piece of s$*? (legislation).

    Still someone else’s legislation. Still an empty suit.

  34. yeah right Says:

    Oh, and about the Volunteer Corps…what a novel idea. Now I see it; this guy is a genius. He will increase employment statistics if we pay people to dismantle Americorps and all the other similar agencies that ALREADY EXIST!

    And, does this list really include that he gave a commencement speech as part of his record of accomplishment!??? HAAAAA! Has he done any Bat-mitzvahs we can be proud of?

    I could make fun of this post all day

  35. Gustav « Talkbacksnitch’s Weblog Says:

    [...] Katrina? What exactly was he doing to help? Nobody seems to know the answer to that question. (Google knows the answer to that question) Brilliant response: Brendacious wrote: kathya1204 – smack yourself on the nose – you probably [...]

  36. Gustav « Talkbacksnitch’s Weblog Says:

    [...] (Google knows the answer to that question) [...]

  37. Hot Air » Blog Archive » Obama’s answer on experience: But I’m such a great campaigner! Says:

    [...] first. Did Barack Obama pass legislation bearing his recommendations for emergency management? A list of “actions” taken by Obama in the wake of Katrina compiled by a supporter doesn’t exactly lend itself to [...]

  38. When The Camera’s Are Off: Barack Obama’s Katrina Record Says:

    [...] When The Cameras Are Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record [...]

  39. Obama defends natural disaster experience - Debate Politics Forums Says:

    [...] Posted by Reverend_Hellh0und What did he do during katrina? Here is Barack Obama’s record on rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. Sept. 2, 2005: Obama holds press conference urging Illinoisans to contribute to the Hurricane [...]

  40. I’m More Qualified Than You, Neaner, Neaner; pt 1… UPDATE! Nevermind. Says:

    [...] Obama did a lot more for Katrina victims than I thought. Next time you write a post, research first. But it would have been nice if this [...]

  41. Sandy Keyes Says:

    Do you have a list for legislation in the 13th district? Especially on housing?

  42. Where Was McCain During Hurricane Katrina? - Page 4 Says:

    [...] Quote posted by javaguru Where was Obama? It is nice that everyone is giving speeches and putting out ten-point plans to commemorate Hurricane Katrina. However, I’m more interested in knowing what people have been doing when the cameras were off. What is your record on this issue? Here is Barack Obama’s record on rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. Sept. 2, 2005: Obama holds press conference urging Illinoisans to contribute to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Sept. 5, 2005: Obama goes to Houston to visit evacuees with Presidents Clinton and Bush. Sept. 7, 2005: Obama introduces bill to create a national emergency family locator system Sept. 8, 2005: Obama introduces bill to create a National Emergency Volunteers Corps. Sept. 8, 2005: Obama co-sponsors the Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005 introduced by Senator Harry Reid Sept. 8, 2005: Obama co-sponsors the Hurricane Katrina Bankruptcy Relief and Community Protection Act of 2005 introduced by Senator Russ Feingold Sept. 12, 2005: Obama introduces legislation requiring states to create an emergency evacuation plan for society’s most vulnerable Sept. 15, 2005: Obama issues public response to President Bush’s speech about Gulf Coast rebuilding. Sept. 21, 2005: Obama co-sponsors bill to establish a Katrina commission to investigate response to the disaster introduced by Hillary Clinton Sept. 21, 2005: Obama appears on NPR to discuss the role of poverty in Hurricane Katrina. Sept. 22, 2005: Obama and Coburn’s Hurricane Katrina financial oversight bill unanimously passes Senate committee. Sept. 22, 2005: Obama’s amendment requiring evacuation plans unanimously passes Senate committee. Sept. 28, 2005: Obama and Coburn issue statement about the need for a Chief Financial Officer to oversee the financial mismanagement and suspicious contracts occurring in the reconstruction process Sept. 29, 2005: Obama and Coburn investigate possible FEMA refusal of free cruise ship offer Oct. 6, 2005: Obama and Coburn issue statement on FEMA Decision to re-bid Katrina contracts Oct. 6, 2005: Obama co-sponsors Gulf Coast Infrastructure Redevelopment and Recovery Act of 2005. Oct. 21, 2005: Obama releases statement decrying the extension of FEMA director, Michael “Brownie” Brown’s contract. Obama calls Brown’s contract extension, “unconscionable.” Nov. 17, 2005: Obama and Coburn introduce legislation asking FEMA to immediately re-bid all Katrina reconstruction contracts. Feb. 1, 2006: Obama gives Senate floor speech on his legislation to help children affected by Hurricane Katrina Feb. 2, 2006: Obama introduces legislation to help low-income children affected by Hurricane Katrina Feb. 23, 2006: Obama issues statement responding to a White House report on Hurricane Katrina. Obama noted that the top two recommendations that the report had for the federal government were initiatives he had been working on since immediately after the storm hit. Obama called the administration’s response “delinquent.” May 2, 2006: Obama gives speech about no-bid contracts in Hurricane Katrina reconstruction May 4, 2006: Obama’s legislation to end no-bid contracts for Hurricane Katrina reconstruction passed the Senate. June 15, 2006: Obama and Coburn announce legislation to require amendment to create competitive bidding for Hurricane Katrina reconstruction for federal contracts over $500,000. Although it passed previously, the language was stripped in conference. June 15, 2006: Obama releases podcast about his pending Katrina reconstruction legislation in the Senate. June 16, 2006: Obama and Coburn get no-bid Hurricane Katrina reconstruction amendment into Department of Defense authorization bill. July 14, 2006: Obama and Coburn’s legislation to end abuse of no-bid contracts passes senate as amendment to Department of Defense authorization bill. August 11, 2006: Obama visits Xavier University in New Orleans to give Commencement address August 14, 2006: Obama and Coburn ask FEMA to address ballooning no-bid contracts for Gulf Coast reconstruction Sept. 29, 2006: Obama and Coburn legislation to prevent abuse of no-bid contracts in the wake of disaster passes Senate to be sent to President’s desk to become law. Feb. 2007-Present: As Obama begins his Presidential campaign he references Katrina as a part of his stump speech as he travels around the country in his familiar line, “That we are not a country which preaches compassion and justice to others while we allow bodies to float down the streets of a major American city. That is not who we are.” June 20, 2007: Obama co-sponsors Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007 introduced by Senator Chris Dodd. July 27, 2007: Obama and colleagues get a measure in the Homeland Security bill that will investigate FEMA trailers that may contain the toxic chemical, formaldehyde. Aug. 26, 2007: Obama outlines a detailed Hurricane Katrina recovery plan. December 18, 2007: Obama calls on President Bush to protect affordable housing in New Orleans February 16, 2008: Obama releases statement on toxic Gulf Coast trailers When The Cameras Are Off: Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina Record « Think On These Things [...]

  43. Walter Says:

    BHO is:

    1. An inexperienced Senator.
    2. The epitome of convenient and selective amnesia.
    3. A danger to our country.
    4. The underbelly of the Democrat party revealed.
    5. A joke.
    6. A gaffe machine.
    7. Laughable.

    Yes, he’s all of these things and more. The more the man speaks, the more he reveals about himself and the more the liberal media and his party rush to defend him.

    He has done nothing of consequence. Should he gain the White House, he will surely put James Earl Carter to shame.

    Vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.

  44. John Says:

    When is this inexperienced Senator going to come clean and tell us all how he hopes to CHANGE the USA. I not heard anything, but movie style candor and flip flopping of the issues. If he wins the election may God save all that voted for him because this place will be lost. Higher taxes, small business in shambles, middle class service workers incurring more taxes and FICA being doubled on your paycheck!!

  45. Inconsistancies of Sarah Palin and McCain - « ….Facts Of Life….. Says:

    [...] * Various bills concerning the response to Hurricane Katrina, including an amendment putting strict limits on the use of no-bid contracts after disasters, requiring planning for the evacuation of people with special needs and senior citizens, creating a National Emergency Family Locator System, etc. [...]

  46. Obama & Biden Voted FOR Bridge to Nowhere INSTEAD of Katrina Relief - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum Says:

    [...] in New Orleans * February 16, 2008: Obama releases statement on toxic Gulf Coast trailers SOURCE The truth hurts when your goal is to smear Obama. __________________ If you stop trying to [...]

  47. Barack Obama is the least qualified candidate in History! - Page 4 Says:

    [...] people with special needs and senior citizens, creating a National Emergency Family Locator System, etc. There are also a lot of good bills he worked on that did not make it, including the compromise [...]

  48. McCain or Obama - Page 38 - Scuba Forum - Scuba Diving Forums and Discussion Board Says:

    [...] for the evacuation of seniors and the disabled, Creating a national family locator registry, and lots of other stuff. He had good stuff that he sponsored that didn’t pass too, like legislation related to preventing [...]

  49. Mike Kaiser Says:

    I was a Hillary supporter and then an Obama supporter until today. I was able to give him a pass when he didn’t go to Washington to help with the bail out package and said call me if you need me. But today he said McCain’s response was Katrina like and that is the last straw, because I had family that I lost due to Katrina and for him to exploit such a terrible disaster for political gain to me is nothing short of morbid!! Why couldn’t he compare McCains response which was better than his to something else? Over 1800 people lost their lives and this was an absolutely awful thing to say.

  50. E.F. Says:

    To Mike K., I am and always will be an Obama supporter because I know what he tried very passionate to accomplish with out the spot light on him to help the victims of Katrina, while John McCain and President Bush ate cake together while bodies were floating down the river. The two of them are clueless. Senator Obama spoke out immediately and even went to visit the families. Bush had to be forced to face what was going on with the people of Katrina. McCain just doesn’t care about anyone except his big time business friends. I lost family as well and I understand exactly what Senator Obama was refering to. Sometimes we all need to think before we jump down someones throat because they say something that before you can rationalize what is said we jump to the wrong conclusion as you have. To me I think you didn’t want to vote for Obama for some other reason and this is your way out. As pitiful as your reason may be I respect you for your opinion, however wrong I feel it is. McCain and Bush showed you what they thought of your loved ones by their actions during that horrible time but Senator Obama took action and you don’t want to vote for him because he said McCain’s response was Katrina like and this offended you. Think about it. Wasn’t it! No clue what to do. Do you feel that it is morbid for McCain to bring up 9/11 for political gain?

  51. gil baco Says:

    Guess what??? Only one of the above passed both House and Senate votes and was approved by the President…..Did you get that??? Only one!!!!! If Obama’s ’successes’ never become part of the Law of the Land, then he has ‘accomplished’ NOTHING>

  52. gil baco Says:

    Literally everything obama has ever done is for blacks….this man can never be the President of the US because only 11.2% of the population is black. He is a hater of successful people. He is not a uniter, he is a DIVIDER! He works very hard to great a division between those who are successful and those who are not successful and keeps class envy alive. WHAT A LOSER

  53. Anita Says:

    E.F. – ‘went to visit the families’?? What families? You refer to his visit to HOUSTON? Does Senator Obama even know where Katrina hit? If he doesn’t — he’s no worse than what appears to be 90% of the population of this country. Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The levees in New Orleans failed. NOT THE SAME EVENT. Regardless — what exactly does a trip to HOUSTON prove?

    I’m so tired of being used for all of this political showboating while my family still quietly puts the pieces of our post-Katrina life back together.

    Neither candidate did a blasted worthwhile thing for Katrina victims. If not for the support of church groups — we’d all still be living under blankets on our driveways.

    Don’t believe the #$&#*$ hype.

  54. Gentilly Girl » Where Was Obama On 8/29 and Later? Says:

    [...] Where was Barack Obama during that time period? Try this timeline. [...]

  55. Anonymous Says:

    Has anyone looked into what really happened to people left without a place to go after Katrina, those without money or family? Maybe the answer is because nobody cared, certain things have to be done under cover, the weakiest must be sacifaced. I don’t understand for why.?…. They set up Fema Trailor Courts in places with no access to to telephones, no bus lines, no church groups coming bye. Someone from Cuba said it was the American government taking the weakiest making there men feel strong because someone was less then them and because of that they could do what ever they wanted to them. The ones who would appose were weak with no backup, therefore for their tremendos efforts they could do to someone else(take out on) their own fustrations. Places with what I am saying are true. How could anyone, the nature of the beast, only the strong survive. Yet , I still don’t understand, or maybe want to ignore the real reasons why.

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