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Subscribe to RSSUpdated 3:15 pm: Twitter has a way of really highlighting the comity in Washington.
Louisiana Sen. David Vitter (R), upset with Harry Reid saying Hurricane Katrina was "nothing in comparison" to Hurricane Sandy and the devastation caused to the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut area, lashed out on the social network calling the Senate majority leader an "idiot."
"Sadly, Harry Reid has again revealed himself to be an idiot, this time gravely insulting Gulf Coast residents," Vitter Tweeted, linking to a story in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Vitter later also released a statement with the same language and adding, "Both Katrina and Sandy were horribly destructive storms that caused real human misery. And by most any measure, Katrina was our worst natural disaster in history. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused 1,833 deaths and over $108 billion in damage. Hurricane Sandy has caused 131 deaths and $65 billion in damage."
On Friday, Reid said the following on the floor, urging passage of Sandy funding:
"I really do believe it is important that I have the record reflect the reason we have gotten as far as we have on Sandy is because of the senior Senator from New York. It is too bad that it has taken so long. When we had that devastation from Katrina, we were there within days taking care of Mississippi, Alabama, and especially Louisiana--within days. We are now past 2 months with the people of New York and New Jersey.
"The people of New Orleans and that area, they were hurt but nothing in comparison to what happened to the people in New York and New Jersey. Almost 1 million people have lost their homes; 1 million people lost their homes. That is homes, that is not people in those homes. So I think it is just unfortunate that we do not have the relief for New York and New Jersey and the rest already. It has to be done. We have to meet the needs of the American people when an act of God occurs."
The Times-Pic writes:
"Sandy devastated some of the nation's most populated areas, but it didn't come close to Katrina. Hurricane Katrina, and the flooding that followed when federally built levees failed, killing 1,833 and causing more than $145 billion in damage. Sandy has been blamed for 120 deaths and over $80 billion in damage."
Monday afternoon, Reid released a statement saying he "misspoke" on Friday:
"In my recent comments criticizing House Republicans for threatening to betray Congress' tradition of providing aid to disaster victims in a timely fashion regardless of region, I simply misspoke. I am proud to have been an advocate for disaster victims in the face of Republican foot-dragging, from Hurricane Katrina to Hurricane Sandy, from fires in the west to tornadoes in the Midwest. I have worked hard with Senator Landrieu to ensure that the people of the Gulf Coast have the resources they need to fully recover, and I will continue to advocate on their behalf until the region is fully recovered."
The House passed a $9.7 billion Sandy recovery aid package Friday, which the Senate took up and passed by unanimous consent. The House is expected to take up another $51 billion aid package as a result of Sandy Jan. 15th, after it returns from recess.
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The difference between Sandy and Katrina is that Sandy victims have to contend with a cold winter now and no home. Tents will not work. Katrina had too much faith in the levees and Sandy victims thought a Cat 1 was not that dangerous. Mandatory evacuation and military transports would have saved more lives in both places...
Who cares what Vitter has to say? Only thing he is interested in protecting and voting Aid for is the Madams of DC that have listed his phone number in their address books or lap tops. Reid is right, when Katrina hit, there was that mad rush to Vote for Aid for those Red States that make up the nerve center of the GOP but here we have 2 major North east states and they have been made to wait & wait & wait. Remember, what goes around, comes around.
No it is due to all the additional pork put into the bill - what does Alaskan fishery support have to due with Hurricane Sandy relief - typical Washington crap - God do we hate them.
Hairless "Mr. Chicken" Reid playing the "idiot" isn't news, is it?
Reid is an idiot, so what's the big deal. A rose is a rose by any other name right...
Idiot? Takes one to know one.
The pot calling the kettle black! They're both idiots!
Pot calling the kettle black. Vitter is the true idiot along with his "R" cohorts in Washinton
Senator Vitter--I LOVE YOU MAN! Boehner and Vitter you are the true Patriots, not Hagel. Now if some of these Democractic and Republican politicians would stand up and tell B.O. what they really think of him, Washington might be able to get something done!
How about we tell YOU what we think of your stupid, imbecilic ass???
Vitter is a male-chauvinistic, lunatic, GOPSCUM, HOOKER, ESCORT CHASING PIG!!!!
Senator Vitter, the fellow who wears diapers during his sessions with prostitutes, knows something about idiots. He sees one every time he looks into the mirror.
Well, he is an idiot! A big one at that!
In all reality they are both idiots for even bringing up any comparisons. I think anyone the world over can agree that both of these disasters were terrible. It just goes to show how far out of touch that our leaders in Washington DC really are with the real people and real problems of this country.
The real idiots are the people that elected him in the first place.
Hey jackass, just remember every government program you take advantage of, you can thank the democrates. Harry Reid has done so much for the people, what has Mitch McConell or Eric Cantor done, a big fat NOTHING.
Norine, I'm sure you know much more about taking advantage of government programs.
Why is this a surprise - we all knew Reid is an Idiot - Hell the President had to send in Joe Biden because Reid couldn't or wouldn't close a deal with the republicans on Taxes- Reid just barley beat a nobody tea party candidate in his last election. Would not be surprised if he wins his next election.
Sending in one idiot to replace another idiot--and look what the American tax payers got.
We all know Harry Reid means well, he truely does work hard for the people, not like other politicians, I sure hope Vitter is sanctioned, talk about an idiot.
Norine@ you ok with this statement you must have been in a coma for a few years
The failure of leadership starts at the top and that would be in the Oval Office; bull@!$%# in/bull@!$%# out.
All I have to say, even though I live in Nevada....I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE IDIOT.
I would guess you to be a Sharon Angle fan.
I could think of a better word but might not print for Reid
Time for Reid, to pack up his office belongings, and go home, can you understand how, he is still getting a paycheck, he would never make it in the real world. go Home harry
From what I have read in various articles the sandy victims have been getting aid. They already had enough money to cover sandy and this was to replenish their funds. This had already been reported on by MSNNBC. Alll the democrats wanted was everyone to be mad at the republicans again.
Exactly. There was enough aid through the end of Spring 2013. In addition, the $60 billion dollar package included about $30 billion in pork that had no benefit to Sandy victims or their states.
Finally, finally, finally, finally, someone had the STONES to say what is needed against this FOOL of a man, Harry Reid.
This Senator should NEVER say he is sorry to Reid. NEVER. He should say more about Reid.
idiot is the only name that fits harry reid. what comes out of this man's mouth is worst or equally idiotic as biden's gaps.
Gaffs...you mean Gaffs.
Reid hates black people.
Reid IS an idiot. He is pretty impressed with himself often. He confuses himself with the President...look in the mirror Reid...your pasty white...and not at all pleasant to look at, even though you saddle up Pelosi on a regular basis.
lol what a image to think they both deserve each other
Well Vitter got that right !!!