The Political Chase

Bush Falls on His Sword

President Bush actually said, "I take responsibility" for the federal failures.  I must say, I am dumbfounded.

Before the celebration begins, obviously we need more info on his mea culpa, if it is in fact a mea culpa.  First, I’m interested in his definition and scope of "federal failures."  How much of the pie will he try to share with Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin?

Furthermore, responsibility and accountability have different definitions.  The podium at the East Room is not a confessional booth and absolution is not a given. 

There is one item of certainty.  If George Bush has admitted imperfection at any level, there is much more that we do not know.  We need to know more.

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NY Times Sticking it to Bloggers

 The New York Times has obviously noticed that bloggers reference and link to commentary in their Op-Ed section.   Additionally, their most frequently emailed items are items from the Op-Ed section.  Effective Sept. 19, online access to the  Op-Ed section and the entire Sunday edition are deemed premium content.

Premium = money.

 They aren’t the only periodical in the country. 

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Evan Bayh’s View

Evan Bayh eloquently calls it as it is.

"The truth about America today is that our institutions — and particularly this Administration — have broken their fundamental promise to the people they were elected to serve. "

"The answer to the challenges we confront today [cannot] be incompetent government."

"We can only do so much alone to maximize our freedom, to make the most of our liberties. Sometimes we must act together. It is what separates us from the Law of the Jungle. It’s what makes us special and different from other countries too. "

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No Plan in Iraq, No Plan on the Gulf Coast

Deja vu.  The USA Today criticizes the Bush administration for no-bid contracts and spending money now, all without a plan.

"Though ample amounts of federal money are needed, a spend-now, plan-later approach isn’t the answer, except for urgent needs such as caring for evacuees. It can create the potential for waste and lead to bad decisions on rebuilding. "

It’s Iraq all over again.  At least they are consistent. 

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New York Post Dazzled By Metrics

The New York Post, like the President, is dazzled by metrics rather than reality.  The Post largely blames  state and local officals and puts a halo on the President.

"But evidence is mounting that state and local officials in Louisiana and Mississippi — and not Bush — bear much of the blame for the failures that did occur."

Sounds like the Post’s source for the above was Rush Limbaugh’s broadcast yesterday.  That makes it credible.

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Local Sheriff Should Relocate to Oval Office

I was out of town yesterday, so this is a bit late, but still noteworthy.

Notwithstanding Michael Brown’s departure, FEMA appears to still be in a fog.  TalkLeft says that FEMA would not allow Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club to open in Jefferson Parish, LA, which would obviously facilitate the supply chain for a plethora of necessary items.

The local Sheriff rebuked FEMA, commandeered the retail outlets, and ordered that they be opened ASAP.

Sounds like the Sheriff of Jefferson Parish, LA should move his office to the Oval Office. 

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Presidential Assurances

 "It’s very important for the folks in New Orleans to understand that, at least as far as I’m concerned, this great city has got ample talent and ample genius to set the strategy and set the vision.  Our role at the federal government is, you know, obviously within the law, to help them realize that vision. And that’s what I wanted to assure the mayor."

       —-George W. Bush in New Orleans 9/12/05

Translation:  You did not get help before or immediately after the storm; don’t expect any future help rebuilding this city.
 

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