(Below is an edited and amended transcript of Tommy Tucker's segment regarding his thoughts on Senator John Kennedy’s behavior following the New Year’s terror attack on Bourbon Street)
When an event like the Bourbon Street terror attack occurs, we all look for someone to blame, someone to hate. And there are many loose, fluid, swirling facts that are hard to make sense of.
As a result, we can let our emotions swell out of proportion, allowing our frustration and rage to spiral out of control, especially before the facts solidify.
I admit, I began jumping to conclusions when the initial facts came out, and could feel the stress getting the best of my emotions.
That said, during times of crisis, it’s our local, state, and national leaders who are expected to act with prudence and do their best to avoid placing personal grievances and their egos above what’s best for the citizens who elected them to serve.
That’s not what we saw from Louisiana Senator John Kennedy yesterday.
The press conference, where the bodies of the victims were still lying on Bourbon Street, was not the time to make cheap political points by taking shots at the director of Homeland Security or the media.
Senator, I know you. I know you’re better than that. You're smarter than that. Act better than that because it embarrasses our state and our city.
Again, I know you. And that comedic rooster act yesterday isn’t who you are.
You're a U.S. senator, for the love of God. Act like it because calling for unity while making cheap political points at a press conference is nothing other than contradictory.
If you disagree, call in, please, because I'd love to talk to you about it. As I understand it, we tried to get you on yesterday, but you refused. You didn't have time to come on WWL—the official emergency management station of New Orleans—but did have time to go on Fox and spread misinformation, like claiming the federal government doesn't have, or will care to provide, the necessary resources to investigate and deal with this horrific attack.
Senator, do yourself and the state of favor: resign your damn seat and let another Republican take over—someone who won't do a Foghorn Leghorn impersonation and make a mockery of themself during one of the darkest moments in their state's history.