The Political Chase

Setting the Record Straight

This information is a few days old.  But, just in case you were misled by the Washington Post article (9/4) discussing when Gov. Blanco actually declared a disaster Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo notes the WP published a correction to the 9/4 article.

Governor Blanco declared a disaster on 8/26.

In Josh’s post, he makes some very good points about accuracy of information from anonymous sources.  In summary, confirm the information or if the information turns out to be factual and available from public sources, quote the public sources rather than publishing "anonymous source(s)."

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Get Out of Jail Free Card

The New York Times reports that the Senate and the House have determined a basic structure for a Congressional investigation into Katrina and its aftermath.

“Mr. Frist and Mr. Hastert would not respond to questions about how the committee would work, but their spokesmen said it would have subpoena power and would be structured like standing committees that are controlled by the majority party.”

Sounds like Michael “Brownie” Brown, FEMA Director, and the Bush administration have just been issued their get out of jail free cards.

Perfect Summation

"If 9/11 put the wind at President Bush’s back, Katrina’s put the wind in his face."

       —- Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times 

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Possible Consultants for FEMA

FEMA Director Michael Brown should contact McGlinchey Stafford, a law firm in New Orleans, for consultancy on disaster recovery (planning and execution).

Notwithstanding Katrina’s devastation, McGlinchey Stafford is operational and servicing its clients.  The law firm did not lose any data - amazing given the expected voluminous documentation required of law firm. 

This is a perferct example of mitigation, which I previously noted was severly lacking at some government level.

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Katrina Aftermath

In a letter to the editor of The State a reader writes:

"Why are people so stunned at the response to the Gulf Coast disaster?  The incompetence in the White House has filtered down through the government.  You get what you select and elect.

God and the public help these poor people, because the government is a failure.

Can we bring Clinton back?  I would be first in line to vote for him.  He had zipper problems but was intelligent."

      —- S.R. Smith

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The Rove Spin Is On

The Karl Rove spin machine is in full force.  Be consistent, repeat the same words ad nauseam, don’t acknowledge a problem(s), fault anybody or everybody but the administration for everything (valid or not).  Rinse and repeat.

The Bush administration’s modus operandi for at least the past two days has been to virtually ignore any question about the overwhelming problems of timely relief for the victims of Katrina. 

Since the president acknowledged the situation was less than perfect at the end of last week, the first in his two terms, the continuing rhetoric firmly stands on "we are focusing on…." which usually encompasses "solving problems."

Moreover, the matters at hand are no longer the administration’s fault (were they ever?).  The media, Democrats, and any other critics are now accused of "playing the blame game."

In the coming days, notice how many times the administration, especially Scott McLellan, White House Press Secretary, uses the words "blame game", ‘finger pointing" and "focus on."

Just a few metrics for your cultural enrichment.  In yesterday’s press briefing, McLellan spoke 108 times (introduction and answering questions); he used the words blame game 5 times and focus (on) 26 times.

In today’s press briefing McLellan:

• Was asked 28 questions, eliminating interruptions, clarifications, and heated prods for McLellan to answer the questions. 
• Spoke 69 times.
• Used the words blame game 8 times. 
• The word(s) focus (on) was spoken 25 times.  
• Of 28 questions asked, 43 percent (12 questions) were answered with "we’re going to focus on solving problems" or a reasonable facsimile thereof. 

McLellan continued his robotic answers even when asked the question,

"Does the President agree with his mother that the homeless taken from New Orleans to Houston are much better off now because they were underprivileged in New Orleans?

McLellan answered,

"What we’re focused on — what we’re focused on is helping these people who are in need."

Terry Moran of ABC News wins the best question award, hands down.  Yesterday Moran posed the question,

"Is ‘Brownie’ still doing a ‘heck of a job,’ according to the President?"

Question for tomorrow’s press briefing, "Is the administration focused on playing dodge ball or leading the country?"

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