Governor and Mayor at it again over the evacuation

Can this situation get any more bizarre? Or should I say inept? At odds over the evacuation of New Orleans? A city in complete disarray and there is a question still of whether to evacuate.

Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco seemed at odds with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Wednesday, hours after the mayor ordered the mandatory evacuation of the crippled Crescent City by force if necessary.

Its been how many days since Hurricane Katrina hit and the governor is still not calling for a mandatory evacuation. What is she waiting for the next hurricane to come into the gulf coast area? The continual lack of foresight and leadership demonstrated by Governor Blanco has been catastrophically incompetent. Certainly Mayor Nagin has been no pillar of leadership; however, he has some flashes of normalcy where he doesn’t seem to be completely over his head. On the other hand, Governor Blanco seems like she may need to be shown the door. And still the Governor cannot pull the trigger on issuing a mandatory evacuation.

Nagin late Tuesday authorized law enforcement officers to force the evacuation of the estimated 10,000 residents who refuse to heed orders to leave.

But in a Wednesday interview with FOX News, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco (search) said she had not signed off on the decision.

“The mayor certainly has ordered that but the governor, and that would be me, would have to enforce it or implement it. We are trying to determine whether there is an absolute justification for that,” she told FOX News.

One wonders what else Governor Blanco could have prevented in this disaster? One does not have to look too far these days. Major Garrett of Fox News tells another tale of ineptitude or poor judgment as seen courtesy of the Politcal Teen.

Major Garrett explained that FEMA/Red Cross had a truckload of water and other necessities , however the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security DENIED it. Why? Because they didn’t want to attract more people to the Superdome or the convention center, they want to get them out. Garrett also brings to light that FEMA couldn’t initially bring the National Guard into Louisiana because it is not their jurisdiction. Who has to give them jurisdiction? *Drumroll please* GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BLANCO.

The Radioblogger has the full transcript of the Hugh Hewitt and Major Garrett interview.

MG: Well, the Red Cross, Hugh, had pre-positioned a literal vanguard of trucks with water, food, blankets and hygiene items. They’re not really big into medical response items, but those are the three biggies that we saw people at the New Orleans Superdome, and the convention center, needing most acutely. And all of us in America, I think, reasonably asked ourselves, geez. You know, I watch hurricanes all the time. And I see correspondents standing among rubble and refugees and evacuees. But I always either see that Red Cross or Salvation Army truck nearby. Why don’t I see that?

HH: And the answer is?

MG: The answer is the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security, that is the state agency responsible for that state’s homeland security, told the Red Cross explicitly, you cannot come.

Wizbang has more on the just unbelievable lack or wisdom and leadership.

Governor Kathleen Blanco kept the Louisiana National Guard from assisting the New Orleans police department

The Captain’s Quarters blogging on the these incredible to believe events.
The Junkyard Dog with Let Them Eat Cake.
The Anchoress , Gov. Blanco still dithering…

What? Say WHAT?
There is a problem, here, with the Governor of Louisiana, who fiddles and fiddles before she cries, but refuses to let anyone else take the reins.

Update: Rusty at My Pet Jawa comments on Blanco preventing Red Cross food and water to the Super Dome.