I don't understand what Gallup expected from this question. Are they talking about blaming Bush for the storm itself (through the much talked about global warming) or are they talking about blaming Bush for not wresting control out of the hands of a paralyzed and incompetent governor, or what? The question is unqualified and so I don't see how the results reflect anything. Bush haters will blame him for everything no matter what. On the other hand even Bush lovers might say he should have taken charge from the very beginning (in spite of laws and procedures) simply because the state and local government were not competent to deal with the situation.
I know this really surprises a LOT of people. The President HAS to obey the law. The City and State authorities HAVE to tell the Fed what is going on. Considering the violence that so grabbed the Media's attention happened on Wed, it is ridiculous to demand that ANYONE, must less a President with thousands of demands on his time, be CLAIRVOYENT. For what anyone watching TV knew the State has 5000 NG troops heading in. It wasn't until THURSDAY that we found out Blanco was only sending in 300 troops? Then on Friday, Bush goes down and slaps sense in to Blanco and gets her to accept deployment US Combat Troops. So what is this desperate need for some people to ignore the complete collapse of the 1st Responders (City of NO) and the ineptness of the 2nd Responders (State of LA) to freak out at the FEDS for NOT being MINDREADERS???????
The question was about the performance before and after the Hurricane. I am sure that all people polled understood this.
In regard to your comment about Bush not taking charge earlier. . . .
One thing we need to consider is that I am sure it took Bush a while to realize how INCOMPETENT as well as UNCOOPERATIVE Blank-O was.
I mean who would think a governor would order the Red Cross away from the Superdome? Who would think that a governor would resist the federalizing of her national guard units? Who would think that a mayor would turn his buses into submarines? Who would think that a governor and mayor would play such petty politics when the lives of their citizens were at stake?
Drudge also mentions today that Bush was considering invoking the Insurrection Act but was talked out of it by his lawyers.
I'm certain that our president was just as dazed and flummoxed by the LA Dims/politicos as most of the rest of the country, and it took him a few extra hours to find ways to circumvent their idiocy and obstinacy.
Bush is an amazingly competent and compassionate president. For the life of me, I don't see how he can be so gracious in the face of all the vile and vitriolic venom thrown his way. He is a way better man than I, and God bless him.