Candidates seldom mention Katrina aid

NEW ORLEANS, March 20 (UPI) -- Hillary Clinton's and Barack Obama's campaigns discuss education, the economy, the war but but rarely mention Hurricane Katrina, survivors of the storm say.

"They're basically talking about the economy right now and the war but I haven't heard anybody say anything about the efforts as far as the Gulf South," John Kevin Garner, who is helping his father rebuild their home in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, told The Washington Times. "They worry about Iraq so much, but don't worry about the people."

The Bush administration was blasted for its ineptitude after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

Both Democratic presidential hopefuls worked in Congress to help recovery efforts, and each has a plan for the Gulf Coast, just not in their top 10 issues.

The Gulf Coast is not one of the 13 issues detailed on the New York senator's Web site. Visitors to the Illinois senator's home page must go to "additional issues" to find the Obama "Katrina" plan.

"We struggle for a voice. I'm not sure if anybody else is listening, and it may take a Katrina in their neighborhood for them to listen," said Jean Larroux, a Bay St. Louis, Miss. native.