Obama: U.S. can't fail New Orleans again

[TeamJordan23]

Obama: U.S. can't fail New Orleans again
By BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press Writer

Democrat Barack Obama said Sunday the country cannot fail New Orleans again and that as president, he would keep the city in mind every day.

"The words never again cannot be another empty phrase," he said in front of one of the few rebuilt houses he saw on a brief tour of the city's Gentilly Woods section. "It cannot become another broken promise."

Obama is the first of several presidential candidates from both parties who are set to visit New Orleans in connection with the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Wednesday. President Bush also is expected to mark the occasion with a trip to the Gulf Coast.

Obama, whose day began at First Emanuel Baptist Church, said that long before Katrina, the nation had failed to lift up New Orleans, a city with persistent struggles such as poverty and poor public schools. He said that cannot happen again and that Americans have a "collective responsibility" to each other.

"Racial discord, poverty, the old divisions of black and white, rich and poor, it's time to leave that to yesterday," he said.

"In rebuilding, we've got an opportunity to do more than put up a foundation that for too long failed the people of New Orleans," he told congregants. Some snapped photos of him at the pulpit with their cell phones.

"In rebuilding, we've got an opportunity to build something better, a foundation that can put up with a lot, upon which the children of New Orleans can build their dreams."

Progress since Katrina has been slow, mired in bureaucracy and marred by fingerpointing among federal, state and local officials. Some small businesses are struggling, houses remain empty in vast sections of the city and people are frustrated.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070826/ap_on_el_pr/obama_new_orleans

[AtomicKitten]

1. I hope all the candidates punctuate this issue.

We need to fix this.

[msongs]

2. well said by obama nt

[illinoisprogressive]

3. this was a great message. he will bring NO back

[Colobo]

4. Obama will bring America back!

[ladjf]

5. Nice platitudes. No solutions.

[OwnedByFerrets]

6. AGAIN!!!!!!!! We havent stopped failing it OR the Gulf Coast

area the first time. We are one fucked up country to treat american citizens like this......and it has not much to do with race as it does with class. ITs class warfare on a grand scale.