A Proposal for Dem Point Man on Katrina: Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS)

I just watched the press conference held by the Dem Congressional Leadership -- Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi, with invited guests Missisippi Democratic Congressmen Gene Taylor and Bennie Thompson, and I must say that Taylor was incredibly good. Just outstanding.

Certainly, Reid and Pelosi were fine and made good points. I did not get to see Thompson. But Taylor was off the charts good. Really unbelievably good discussing the issues. He discussed details with great intelligence and charisma. He really struck me as a guy who could make his points in common sense human terms and could lay out real understandable criticisms that would surely be meaningful to the common man. An outstanding performance.

So here is a proposal -- let Gene Taylor be the principal Democratic spokesperson for Democrats on the Katrina response by the federal government. Taylor told anecdotes that just really grabbed you. He told his stories compellingly, emotionsllly snd strongly.

Now Taylor expressed his willingness to serve on this sham bipartisan commission forced by the Repblicsns -- if asked by Hastert (Yeah Hastert picks the Dem members too, believe it or not.) But he made clear that his service is dependent on a shared subpoena power. He has particular folks in mind with apparently compelling stories.

But I am telling you folks, he had a way of explaining things that brought immediacy and intensity to the failures - which he laid squarely at FEMA's door. He had facts, stories, narratives, etc. You need to watch him if you can. It was shown on C-Span. I highly recommend it.

But my bottom line is that he is the guy, in my opinion, who should be the face of the Dems on Katrina review and critique. And presenter of ideas. There was a real common touch exhibited by him.

Now Taylor is obviously not our favorite on the issues. He's a Conservative Dem. But boy, on this, he was an FDR liberal. An accountability Democrat.

He has to be a Sunday Talk Show Dem and the face in all our presentations. He was that good. Check it out at C-Span. You'll be impressed, I'm sure.