"I think he cares and he's a hands-on guy. I was real impressed."

[Contrary1]

GRAND ISLE - Billy Nungesser -- the president of Plaquemines Parish whose frustrations about the federal government response have been featured prominently on TV in the past few weeks -- told ABC News that in the private meeting the president had with local leaders here today, Mr. Obama "chewed me out."

The "chewed me out" comment was off camera but everything else below was on camera: Nungesser, a Republican, told ABC News that President Obama "told me that we need to communicate."

He said that he told President Obama that after his first visit to the region a few weeks ago, "we got the jack-up boats done cause of you. And you spent more time with us than any other President, but since then it was a bottleneck. Things weren't getting done. All of it was sitting in the marsh."

Nungesser says the president told him, "'Well you know, if you can't get it done through the chain of command -- ' and he's made some changes; we've got a guy on the ground now that can make decisions -- he said, ' -- you pick up the phone and call the White House. And, if you can't get me on the phone, then you can go blast me.'"

More: http://www.abc26.com/news/local/wgno-news-nungesser-obama-story,0,1485985.story

[babylonsister]

1. Rec'd but someone cancelled me out. Imagine that. nt

[aquart]

2. I'll rec it. Anything that shows Obama engaged makes me happy.

And I have not been happy.

[opihimoimoi]

3. Ya wouldn't hear that from McLoser or Palin...all they got is Blame Game and CYA

Obama is the best we got at this time

as this is a Global/National Crisis

Obama should be supported instead of being distracted with partisan crap...

Tis not the time to blame

Tis the time for Solving

[classof56]

7. And I say a hearty amen to that! Thanks! nt

[flamingdem]

4. Rec. This guy went againt the right wing meme and spoke positively from his heart abt Obama nt

[Fridays Child]

5. Maybe, for those most immediately affected, this disaster transcends politics.

We can hope, anyway.

[flamingdem]

8. I agree. There is very raw emotion that goes way beyond affiliation going on nt

[intheflow]

9. My experience in Mississippi after Katrina suggests disaster doesn't transcend politics.

People still loved George Bush despite the fact that he was weeks late and many dollars short with Federal response. They just loved his "homey-ness." Unfortunately, a wide swath of them consider Obama a different kind of homey-ness, and thus suspect.

[chill_wind]

13. Here's a small sampling

of Grand Isle reaction yesterday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2010/05/grand_isle_louisiana.html

It's interesting, because it sort of supports what you say. Predispositions, either way, didn't sound all that changed by Obama's visit.

[chill_wind]

6. I'll Rec. Let the press report all the insights we can get.

ALL of them.

[Davis_X_Machina]

10. Rahm got to him. n/t

[bobburgster]

11. I'll rec anything that is positive about Obama!

I'm so sick of hearing people bitch about him not doing enough of this or that. There is some serious amnesia going on. Wonder if there is an environmental contaminant leading to the increased amnesia among democrats and independents?

[pundaint]

15. Don't be confused by relative shortfalls. There are few presidents who would not stack up well to

Bush. We've had some presidents take over in times of crisis before, and really change things, those who just tried to tweak it and keep the same guys running the show failed. Reform isn't a label, it's fundamental change, we have been brought to the brink by the war machine, banks, oil companies, chemical companies and health insurers, and there has been no change of direction, nor serious braking applied.

The amnesia is about what the Democratic Party is supposed to stand for.

[bobburgster]

23. I respectfully disagree.

The problem as I see it, is the snails pace of any change in govt. now days. I believe he has implemented as many changes as he can in this nasty, highly political environment. Would I like to see more progress at a faster pace...absolutely! Unfortunately, he does not have the votes to slam through his changes. In our current political situation, I believe god would have difficulty pushing through all the changes we desire.

[pundaint]

24. Low expectations spur low achievement. I'd rather fire the losers, and hire some fresh blood.

[bobburgster]

29. In time,

I am hopeful, you will look back and be pretty impressed with his accomplishments over 8 years.

[pundaint]

25. Oh, and by the way, Perkins gets jobbed by the refs every game. It's a crime!

[bobburgster]

27. Haha, that's because he has to guard the prima donnas....

and he frowns too much for the nba :)

[NYC_SKP]

12. I was very pleased to hear that Mr. Nungesser had a chance to meet the President.

And that, upon having that conversation, came away with an understanding and appreciation for all he's doing during this unprecedented mess.

Michael Savage is not having a terrific Memorial Day weekend.

But I sure am!

:kick:

Recommended!

:patriot:

[tandot]

14. K & R

[DesertDiamond]

16. OMBG! Okay, points for the President! That is pretty darn great!

[SaveAmerica]

17. Another paragraph from article...

Nungesser said that "if things happen like they happened after the last meeting, you won't see me blasting anybody because things happened right after that. And things are happening today. The oil that we showed you is being cleaned up. There's equipment all over the parish and we do have a senior person from the Coast Guard in our office now that can make decisions and can hold BP's feet to the fire, because they are the ones that should be stepping up to the plate."

He concluded: "I think he cares and he's a hands-on guy. I was real impressed."

[karmkay]

20. "hands-on" guy

Guess we won't see old Billy Nungesser interviewed in the msm any time soon. He doesn't fit their narrative line any more.

[varelse]

18. K&R

I'll take *any* good news about the Gulf coast right now...

[ColesCountyDem]

19. Rec'd! n/t

[Stellar]

21. I'm glad to hear you've got others that will testify for the President!

This is what I posted on HuffPo just yesterday........

“Brian Williams on "NBC Nightly News" talked with Chuck Todd, down in Grand Isle, LA about the Presidents visit to the coast to witness the oil spill Friday.

Todd said that the 30 minute meeting turned into a two hour "grip-fest" and when they finally emerged the President again insisted that he was the one calling the shots after talking to the mayors, senators, congressmen and the governor of Louisiana.

After Todd finished talking - (he made it sound like everybody at the meeting was angry with the President) Brian Williams then talked to the Mayor, David Camardelle who was in the room at the meeting and he asked the Mayor, how *heated* did it get in that room today, what did you tell the President and did you think you were being heard.

The Mayor said "yes sir, it wasn't bad at all", ...that the President listened intensely and very receptive ... and that Obama was a man with a heart, " 'it was like family member gathering. '

This southern Mayor from Louisiana actually said " I'VE GOT TO BE 'HONEST' BRIAN, THE PRESIDENT IS A MAN WITH A HEART" ... he appeared surprised by it, no doubt it was because of Republican MSM.

But anyway, Chucks report is how lies start and spread.

btw: Later that night Keith Olbermann used the same words as Todd (to me that meant that Chucks report was on file) and I found that rather disturbing that this lie can keep on going.

[gateley]

22. I wish Obama could talk to more citizens one on one, or small groups.

I think his sincerity and commitment comes through as evidenced by this man's reaction. Pretty tough to get that across reading a speech.

I love that Obama 'chewed him out' - and that Obama said "call me"! Hope he takes him up on it. And I hope this guy convinces some of his Republican friends that Obama really wants to help.

[KonaKane]

26. K&R even though the R function has expired for this thread...

Great to hear some positive things about Obama here again. I have no doubt that the jeering crew is coming in shortly so I'll move on.....

[Swamp Rat]

28. Geaux Billy!!

[Quantess]

30. Does anyone actually believe W would have done more than Obama?