GRAND ISLE, La. (AP) - President Barack Obama has promised Gulf Coast residents that they are not alone and will not be abandoned or left behind.

Obama made the pledge as he visited Louisiana on Friday to tour areas threatened by the disastrous oil spill and get an update on response efforts.

Speaking outside a Coast Guard station on a barrier island, Obama said he had a message for residents. He said: "I'm here to
tell you that you are not alone, you will not be abandoned, you will not be left behind. The media may get tired of the story but
we will not. We will be on your side and we will see this through."