I remember somthing from many years ago when I first learned about "W" and started to support him. WAY before most of you folks had him on your radar. I was involved in a meeting with some eggheads, PHd's that were working for Gov. Bush on a faith based program in the Texas prisons.
During the visit I found out that these people were working for Bush because of how he challenged them. They were not being paid but they were excited about doing something unique for "W". They made it very clear that if they did not hit the timeline marks "W" had structured for the project they "were gone". IE: If they did not perform they were fired.
"W" is no empty suit. He's a good old boy that's smarter than you will ever be and he's an amazing poker player.
I don't like his giving away all this $$$ but I guarantee you he sees things ahead on this "project" that you can't fathom.
I've been reading all the posts since I fell asleep and missed the speech! Trying to get a sense of what was said, etc.. So my take on it is that not only is GW bringing the full might of the fed govt. to the job of rebuilding NO, he's addressing the plight of the residents, many of whom lived on welfare or basically hand to mouth. The speech was a lure, if you like, to get people to come home and help rebuild. Come back, work hard, and your life will be better. It gives them hope, and God knows the past month has been woefully short on that.
Sure, even with an inspector general and an army of bean counters, money will be wasted or end up in the wrong pockets. Not good, but human nature being what it is, it's inevitable. The city has to be rebuilt, for a whole host of economic reasons, not to mention the national psyche. We simply can't write off NO.
More interesting, though, is Bush's 'grand' vision. Just as with his reaction after 9/11, he looked beyond the attacks, not only proposing to deal with immediate concerns -- tracking the killers to their lair and finishing them off -- but the cause of the attacks. His answer is a democratic Iraq. Plant the seed and let it flower. People everywhere want to be free. Well we're giving Iraqi's the chance, and it sounds as if he's giving NO's residents that same chance. Get off welfare and a lead a better life. This seems to be how GW's mind works.