I guess Bush made a big mistake. He knows how corrupt and incompetent the Democrats are and should have just automatically pulled the trigger.
First, the federal government routinely takes over during national disasters, as it should, without anyone accusing the president of being a grandstanding cowboy.
Second, which is more important -- being accused of being a grandstanding cowboy, or saving Americans' lives? A leader should not quiver at the thought of being criticized for acting in a situation that is a matter of national security, nor should he make excuses about red tape -- he should act. And the fact that he happens to have an "R" next to his name doesn't change that.