[beyond the sea]

This didn't do the job.

It was a poor speech. Let's call a spade a spade. He can do better. He looked and sounded exhausted.

[silent_jonny]

What did you want the president to say that he didn't say? Just curious.

[Carolinamom]

When people are suffering and dieing, we don't need a "good speech".....we need communication...aka FACTS..about WHAT IS BEING DONE to alleviate that suffering and to save those lives.

[Route66]

I disagree. This was not intended to be an "I feel your pain speech". We've seen many such speeches from local officials over the last few days and much is still left undone and critical needs go unmet. I think this was offered as a public look into some of what has been going on behind the scenes and showed engagement and commitment on the part of the federal government. The President presented a basic plan of action which is already well underway. He made it clear this was going to be a long process and we will no doubt hear more from him as the arduous process of working through this disaster continues.

[hershey]

He was reading a laundry list of stuff we're doing and have to do. There'll be other days, when he's on the ground in the Gulf states, and we'll hear more. Interesting that he thanked Harris County, Texas, the state of Texas for taking in refugees, etc., but aside from that, said Americans would take care of their own. No mention of the thundering silence from overseas. But private citizens who give millions to overseas charities will remember who offered help and who didn't, and those countries who preferred to sling mud won't see such an outpouring of generosity from America's citizens next time they need it.

[Christian4Bush]

It was a poor speech. Let's call a spade a spade. He can do better. He looked and sounded exhausted.

What do YOU do for work? Maybe you and he can trade jobs for a while. After a few days of having people hate you for the simple fact that you have a pulse, and being the leader of the free world (and thus a constant target)...

too tired? too exhausted? He works all the time! EVEN ON "VACATION"! Jeezo! Did I accidently leave Free Republic and tune in to the "Dr. Phil Winfrey Show"?

[jonrick46]

It was a poor speech. Let's call a spade a spade. He can do better. He looked and sounded exhausted.

The word that our dear President spoke were like for those gripped in mortal fear for their future lives. His words were like gold and his appearance showed that he is a president that would work tirelessly, sacrificing himself for the good of the American people.

By the way, the "vacation" is an inaccurate description of President Bush's period in the Crawford White House. This was a time of intense, focused, and meticulous planning for the future of our nation. It was a "vacation" free from the distractions of Washington D.C. That "vacation" will shape the future for generations to come. President Bush deserves to look exhausted. At least he is not like Kerry who would have botoxed the fatigue from his face and have a $1000 haircut complete with dye job.

We have to get over this addictive fixation with Hollywood!

[oldfarmer]

It was a poor speech. Let's call a spade a spade. He can do better. He looked and sounded exhausted.

Maybe I was expecting too much, but I wanted to see that inspiring confidence we saw when he stood on the rubble at Ground Zero. Today's Bush was not inspiring.