Atlanta Mayor Defends Storm Prep Efforts in Testy CNN Interview

Atlanta Mayor Lashes Out at CNN Anchor in Combative Interview over Poor Storm Prep (Mediaite)

A rare snowstorm impacting Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday caused massive headaches for commuters, snarled traffic on highways for nearly 20 hours, and spawned images of commuters sleeping in drugs stores and supermarkets. The city of Atlanta’s apparent lack of preparedness has resulted in criticism of Mayor Kasim Reed. On Wednesday, Reed joined CNN anchor Carol Costello for a hostile interview in which the mayor repeatedly insisted that “independent” entities were responsible for the lack of preparedness and the outrage aimed at him was misdirected.

“You know how angry people are at you,” Costello asked.

“I don’t feel that people angry at me,” Reed replied.

“There are plenty of people who say the school children should never have been placed in that position,” Costello shot back, “that schools should have been closed before the weather hit.”