[MNJohnnie]

Why didn't he push for protection of his people so they could deliver the supplies sooner.

Because FEMA doesn't have any Law Enforcement authority. That has to come either from LOCAL City of NO authorities. If they cannot handle it, the City asks the State for MORE resources both Law Enforcement and NG. The City has to ASK because they are RIGHT THERE, the State cannot read their minds and just KNOW what they need. So why, after all we saw, did Blanco ONLY send 300 Armed NG troops on Thursday? According to Sunday's Washington Post, Bush was asking Blanco to turn control over to the Feds. She refused. He DID get her to allow Reg Army Troops to be sent. SHE had to OK it, Bush cannot legally send troops into a state that has an operating Govt to perform Law Enforcement functions without their approval.

[dawn53]

I know FEMA has no military capabilities or folks within the organization to protect them.

If Nagin and Blanco were not willing to protect the FEMA people, then maybe the President should have invoked the "Insurrection Act" under the clause that says the President may invoke it if the local and state authorities are not willing or able to protect their citizens.

Could he have taken any more flack than he's already taken?

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

FEMA asked them what they needed, the LA gov and NO mayor only asked for 9MM$ to set up three shelters, not one dime for anything else, this while the storm of storms had NO as the bullseye.