I've been able to get a hold of a video of the Anderson Cooper interview of Mary Landrieu. Here's a transcrip:



AC: "Joining me now from Baton Rouge is Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu. Senator, I appreciate you joining us tonight. Does the Federal Government bear responsibility for what is happening now? Should they apologize for what is happening now?"

ML: "Anderson there will be plenty of time to discuss all of those issues about why and how and what and if. But Anderson, as you understand, and all of the producers and directors of CNN and the news networks...this situation is very serious and it's gonna demand all of our full attention through the hours, through the night, through the days. Let me just say a few things...thank President Clinton and former President Bush for their strong statements of support and comfort today. I thank all the leaders that are coming to Louisana and Mississippi and alabama to our help and rescue. We are grateful for the military assets that are bringing brought to bear. I want to thank Senator Frist and Senator Reed for their extraordinary efforts, Anderson, tonight--I don't know if you're heard maybe you all have announced it--but Congress is going to an unprecedented session to pass a ten billion dollar supplemental bill tonight to keep FEMA and the Re--"

AC: "Excuse me, Senator..."

ML: "Red cross up and operating."

AC: "Excuse me, Senator, I'm sorry for interrupting. I-I haven't heard that, because, uh, for the last four days I've been seeing dead bodies here in the streets of Mississippi. I--and--to listen to politicians thanking each other and complimenting each other, uh, y-ya know there are a lot of people here that are very upset and very angry and very frustrated, and when they hear policitians slap, you know, thanking one another, uh, it just, you know, it kinda cuts them the wrong way right now. Because literally, uh, there was a body on the streets of-of-of this town, yestrday, uh, being eaten by rats, uh, because this woman had laying on the street for-for forty-eight hours and--and there's not enough facilities to take her up. Do you--Do you get the anger that is out here?"

ML: "Anderson, I have the anger inside of me. Most of the homes in my family have been destroyed. Our homes have been destroyed. I undestand what you're saying and I know all of those details, and the President of the United--"

AC: "Well who are you angry at?"

ML:"--States knows those details. I'm not angry at anyone. I'm just expressing that it is so important for everyone in this nation to pull together, for all military assets, and all assets to be brought to bear to this situation. And I have every confidence--"

AC: (indistinct, to me at least)

ML: "that this country is as great and as strong as we can be to do that, and that effort is under way."

AC: "Well, well, I mean there are a lot of here who are--are kind of ashamed, uh, of what is happening in this country right now. Ashamed of what is happening in your state, certainly, and that's not to blame the people who are there, it's a desperate situation, um, but it--I--I guess, you know, th---who---who can, I mean do--no one seems to be taking responsibility. I mean, I know you say there's a time and a place for kind of, you know, looking back, but, this seems to be the time and the place...I mean there are people who want answers and there are people who want someone to stand up and say 'You know what? We shoulda done more.' Are-Are all the assets being brought to bear? I mean...today for the first time--"

ML: "Anderson..."

AC: "I'm seeing National Guard--"

ML: "Anderson..."

AC: "troops--"

ML: "I know."

AC: "in this town."

ML: "Anderson, I know, and I know where you are and I know what you're seeing. Believe me, we know it, and we understand, and there will be a time to talk about all of that, trust me. I know what the people are suffering. The Governor knows, the President knows, the military officials know, and they're trying to do the very best they can do to stabilize the situation. Senator Vitter, our congressional delegation, all of us understand what is happening. We are doing our very, very best to get the situation under control, but I want to thank the President. He will be here, uh, tomorrow we think. And the military is sending assets as we speak. So, please, I understand, I--I--I understanad. You might say I'm a politician, but I grew up in New Orleans, my father was the mayor of that city, I've represented that city my whole life, and it's just not New Orleans. It's St. Bernard, and St. Tammany, and Plackman Parrish that have been completely under water. Our levee system has failed. We need a lot of help...and the Congress has been wonderful to hlep us and we need more help. Nobody's pefect, Anderson, everybody has to stand up here, and I know you understand, so thank you so much for everythign you're doing."

AC: "Well, I--I--I appreciate you joining us on the program tonight I--I can only imagine how busy you are. Thank you much--very much Senator uh..."

ML: "Thank you, Anderson."

AC: "Senator Landrieu."

ML: "Thank you so much, thank you."

AC: "And--and--and good luck to you and all the people working to solve this problem, cuz at this point it is very hard to try to figure out how this problem is gonna get solved."