I'm really not tune into the discussion, but there is a difference between a terrorist attack and a natural disaster.
Federalization of troops during a terrorist attack is a given, it is not usually the case during a natural disaster.
But under the "Insurrection Act" the President if she is/was not willing to ask, the President could have declared the state and local governments "unable or unwilling" to care for their citizens, thus invoking the act.
Of course, if Bush had sent in Federal troops early, we'd be hearing the MSM bash Bush. Only this time it would be bashing him because troops were sent in too soon and he usurped the state's authority.
The man can't win with the MSM, never has, but he always comes out fine, and their bashing usually backfires on them.
I'm inclined to go with those FReepers who think the left would have claimed it as grounds for impeachment, overstepping his constitutional authority. (Not that some of those moonbats need actual grounds!)
Someone else on another thread had mentioned about the difference between natural disaster and terrorist attack.
This possibly might be the only strong explanation for fed. not responding sooner.
And as you said, any action by the President would be criticized.
My concern was not so much with MSM, but with the actual response of the Federal gov't and its obligations to citizens in this situation.