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And it was just the reverse; Bush had to call THEM, FGS.

Prairie Chapel Ranch
Crawford, Texas

In Focus: Iraq

11:31 A.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: This morning I spoke with FEMA Undersecretary Mike Brown and emergency management teams not only at the federal level but at the state level about the -- Hurricane Katrina. I've also spoken to Governor Blanco of Louisiana, Governor Barbour of Mississippi, Governor Bush of Florida, and Governor Riley of Alabama. I want to thank all the folks at the federal level and the state level and the local level who have taken this storm seriously. I appreciate the efforts of the governors to prepare their citizenry for this upcoming storm.

Yesterday, I signed a disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana, and this morning I signed a disaster declaration for the state of Mississippi. These declarations will allow federal agencies to coordinate all disaster relief efforts with state and local officials. We will do everything in our power to help the people in the communities affected by this storm.

Hurricane Katrina is now designated a category five hurricane. We cannot stress enough the danger this hurricane poses to Gulf Coast communities. I urge all citizens to put their own safety and the safety of their families first by moving to safe ground. Please listen carefully to instructions provided by state and local officials.

I think Bush should have had the military in there ASAP. C-130's should have been flying into the airport. Jwalsh07 and I chatted about this on Saturday. I am not pleased with Bush on this one. And his comments were brief before he went on to Iraq with pro forma comments, and then later, when he commented again, it was brief before chatting about prescription drugs or something. Not one fireside type chat, nothing. The whole thing was inadquate, the action was inadequate. And it is not hingsight. I was ranting on Sat AM about all of this. Thank heavens it was not much worse, because we got lucky at the end.

If someone shot your mom, and then drew a bead on your dad, would you take the time to prove your mom's death was that guy's fault or try to save your dad?

I count 100,000 people at risk in New Orleans right now.

Times 163 miles of affected coast kicks in a million more.

What are your priorities?