The real incriminating video obtained by the AP shows mistakes by Governor Blanco during the hours after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.
Via Glenn Reynolds and Forbes:
In the hectic, confused hours after Hurricane Katrina lashed the Gulf Coast, Louisiana’s governor hesitantly but mistakenly assured the Bush administration that New Orleans’ protective levees were intact, according to new video obtained by The Associated Press showing briefings that day with federal officials.
“We keep getting reports in some places that maybe water is coming over the levees,” Gov. Kathleen Blanco said shortly after noon on Aug. 29, according to the video. “We heard a report unconfirmed, I think, we have not breached the levee. I think we have not breached the levee at this time.”
In fact, the National Weather Service received a report of a levee breach and issued a flash-flood warning as early as 9:12 a.m. that day, according to the White House’s formal recounting of events the day Katrina struck.
So, now we know that Bush was not warned about levee “breaches” before the storm and that Governor Blanco gave him bogus information soon after the storm hit. We know that Bush had called Browne several times after the storm hit the coast.
But, for some reason, the AP releases a video on Wednesday that gives absolutely no new information on the president’s knowlege or reaction to Hurricane Katrina even though the LA Times and others managed to spread false information. Then on Thursday, the AP releases another video that shows that Bush was given bad advise on the extent of the hurricane’s damage by the Louisiana governor. It makes you wonder how long the AP was holding both of the video clips?
Update: The Coalition of the Swilling has more information on Browne’s double talk.
