For those of you not familiar with Trent Franks (R - AZ02), he proudly proclaims himself the fifth most conservative member of Congress, is rabidly anti-choice and is friends with James Dobson. He was gladhanding with Bush last Monday in Arizona. He reluctantly voted for the Medicare bill after considerable arm-twisting, effectively screwing his constituents in Sun City.
My letter below the fold.
Last Monday, as the worst disaster in the history of this great country began to unfold, you greeted President Bush on the tarmac of Luke AFB and accompanied him to a public relations event to promote Medicare. Given that you worked hard to save Luke from possible closure and you cast the deciding vote on the Medicare bill, one can easily perceive that Bush's visit was a political favor to you. Under the circumstances of impending disaster, did you ever suggest to the President that perhaps he should postpone his visit, or that he had more pressing matters to which to attend? At that point, disaster was a certainty, based on assessments from the National Weather Service. While America looked for reassurance from its leaders, you ate cake and played politics.
Over the past several days, I have seen children dying in New Orleans. I know this breaks your heart, too, Congressman. You portray yourself as an advocate for children, particularly the unborn. So I am certain that when you see children who WERE born and wanted and loved dying in the arms of their families that you feel the same sense of profound loss and senseless waste that I do. I hope you share the same anger and frustration at the circumstances that caused their death. Those children could have been saved. I hope you will denounce "pro-life" groups who say that New Orleans deserved to be destroyed.
Why was the response to this disaster so poorly planned, co-ordinated and executed? All Americans are asking this question today and all Americans deserve an answer. I think Arizonans should hear you asking that question on the House floor. As a conservative Republican, you could have a tremendous impact on those who think this is a partisan issue by taking the lead from your side of the aisle. This is your accountability moment.
Sincerely,