To Hillary Clinton , U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is the fighter for Louisiana who `` refused to let Washington turn its back '' on the state in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina almost 10 years ago . Clinton reached back to the months and years after the 2005 hurricane killed more than 1,500 people in Louisiana to praise Landrieu on Saturday at a New Orleans rally for the endangered three-term senator . `` She was relentless , '' Clinton said , noting that she and Landrieu were in the Senate at the time . `` You learn a lot about a person and a leader in a moment like that . And I saw Mary in action , no cameras , no attention , just focused like a laser to take care of her people . '' Clinton continued : `` She never gave up . If you know anything about Mary Landrieu , you know that is an ingrained characteristic , she does n't shy away from a fight . '' Landrieu is in a different kind of fight this year -- a fight to keep her Senate seat against a stout challenge from Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy . Every national poll since the start of September has shown Cassidy besting the incumbent . Clinton did her part on Saturday to knock Cassidy but never actually referred to him by name . `` From what I have heard , Mary 's opponent did n't really lift a finger after Isaac , '' Clinton said , using a familiar Landrieu campaign attack that cites a 2012 no-vote against legislation that included disaster relief money for the state after Hurricane Isaac rocked the state . Clinton also subtly hit George W. Bush 's presidency for fumbling the response to Katrina , blaming the former president for a `` paralyzed '' response to the tragedy . For her part , Landrieu portrayed herself as the right choice for Louisiana because her support for oil and gas , women and seniors . She also did n't run away from her 18-years in the Senate , despite polls that show a deep-seeded resentment of Congress and an anti-incumbent mood throughout the country . `` I have now worked with three presidents , four majority leaders and six governors , '' Landrieu said within the first few minutes of her speech . `` And I know how to get work done for you , no matter what the line up in Washington is and no matter how gridlocked it might be . '' Landrieu , however , finds herself behind in her fourth race . Cassidy has sought to tie Landrieu to President Barack Obama , who in much of Louisiana is markedly unpopular . In nearly every ad , Cassidy mention that `` Landrieu supports Barack Obama 97 percent of the time . '' The attacks have worked and some polls show the Democratic senator might be past the point of Clinton 's saving . Landrieu advisers and spokesmen on Saturday told reporters to disregard most of the polling and instead pointed to early voting totals as proof that momentum is swinging their way . In particular , Matthew Lehner , a senior adviser to Landrieu , pointed to the fact that 33 % of early ballots totals have come from black voters , a strong demographic for the Democrat . `` Sen. Landrieu has had tight races in all of her races , '' said Fabien Levy , the campaign 's spokesman . `` If need be , we will be ready [ for a runoff ] . But we are ready to win this on election night . ''
Hillary Clinton reached back to Hurricane Katrina to herald Mary Landrieu on Saturday . `` She was relentless , '' Clinton said of the senator 's work after the 2005 storm . The former first lady also knocked President George W. Bush in her speech . Landrieu touted her 18-year experience in the Senate , despite a national anti-incumbent mood .