Actor Kirstie Alley Sparks Intense Backlash After Criticizing Obama's Response to Louisiana Flooding

Actor Kirstie Alley incited what she referred to as a "firestorm" Friday after calling out President Barack Obama for not getting to flood-ravaged Louisiana sooner.

The "Cheers" star took to Twitter to share a video from 2008 of then-Sen. Barack Obama slamming President George W. Bush for not visiting the New Orleans victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 earlier. He said the former commander in chief "only saw people from an airplane instead of down here on the ground trying to provide comfort and aid."

"Or on a golf course in Martha's Vineyard instead of Louisiana?" Alley tweeted, before responding to some of the "asshats" writing "nasty political comments" in response to her posting.

One Twitter user told the actor Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, had asked the president not to come to his state just yet. In response, Alley said the governor's request "wouldn't stop me."

"I'd slip in the back door..someway..or possibly do an on air PLEA," she wrote.

At that, several other observers on the social media platform began piling on Alley, who stood her ground.

@kirstiealley @MicahMcCain yes but you should defer to the governor and your on-the-ground resources. Not going doesn't equal don't care

— Debbie Katz (@debkatz512)

August 19, 2016

How bout an on air plea for volunteers and supplies and well..help? https://t.co/TBuxTqsHfg

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) August 19, 2016

@kirstiealley @MicahMcCain do you really think POTUS can 'slip into' a city????? You're smarter than that.

— Scarebaby (@scarebaby) August 19, 2016

Yes I actually do..it's been done before https://t.co/Ak60KyE32Z

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) August 19, 2016

@kirstiealley @MicahMcCain and also usually better to have aid groups discuss needs..worse when uncoordinated, unnecessary stuff gets sent

— Debbie Katz (@debkatz512) August 19, 2016

Not my experience as immediate aid is needed immediately ..My help was never turned down except by 2 BIG groups https://t.co/96jIQMoLpK

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) August 19, 2016

So what, he is coming next week anyway. Trump is here now. Taylor Swift gave a million dollars... What more can u do https://t.co/Tir1CbNMLR

— Thomas Silvey (@formula1uberfan) August 19, 2016

A LOT https://t.co/mnpLIuTs9W

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) August 19, 2016

@PeteCostanza84 @kirstiealley to sum up, I get the poor optics, but it's a stretch to say he doesn't care. Love him or hate him..

— Debbie Katz (@debkatz512) August 19, 2016

My point is..Do u think USA wants to C him playing golf while Louisiana is 20 feet under water & people R dying? https://t.co/jNJldU4eLU

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) August 19, 2016

Alley eventually stopped the back-and-forth with her detractors, but not before admitting she felt Bush, too, was too late in visiting the victims of Katrina.

I thought Bush waited too long also! I was in Katrina on day 5 & I'm just a gorgeous actress :)THEY needed HELP! I didn't need an invitation

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) August 19, 2016

While not voicing many regrets over his eight years in the White House, Bush said in 2010 that flying over New Orleans and not stopping was a "huge mistake." The former president visited a few days after his infamous flyover and returned frequently.

Obama is scheduled to visit the wreckage in Louisiana next Tuesday.

(H/T: Twitchy)

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