Sen. Mary Landrieu

I'm Mary Landrieu from the great state of Louisiana.

It's been three years since hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the failure of the federal levee system devastated New Orleans, the region, and parts of the Gulf coast.

The Bush White House, the Republican leadership, and FEMA showed up not just late, but unprepared.

America deserves a FEMA that works. A FEMA that understands the best ways to leverage the private sector and non-profits. A FEMA that will rebuild our communities with respect, dignity, and determination.

America deserves a president who is willing to cut through the red tape and serve the people, not the bureaucracy. A president who will stand with mayors and governors, not against them, to get the job done.

That is the hope of the people of America, and that is the promise of Barack Obama.

Thank you.