[rob777]

I think Bush's announcement of this plan makes sure that the Left has less control over the money and the post-disaster activities than they would have had.





I am referring less to who has control of the purse strings than I am the direction of the ideological debate over the role of government. If the "right" accepts the premise of expanding the federal government's role, it matters little who controls the purse strings. The question is which direction are we headed in respect to what we see as the role of the federal government. Besides not proposing any spending cuts to offset the emergency spending, President Bush acknowledged that the failure was largely a federal failure and made little mention of the local responsibility. In addition, he pointed to an expanded future role for the feds in this area. In doing so, he handed the left and ideological and rhetorical victory.

[syriacus]

In doing so, he handed the left and ideological and rhetorical victory.

We shall see. We shall see.

Bush played Rugby very well, I hear. In rugby, you don't pass the ball toward your goal. Passing is only done in the direction opposite to your goal.

He hasn't "handed" the Left anything more than he feels they deserve or is necessary..

[syriacus]

he pointed to an expanded future role for the feds in this area

There will need to be a public "debate" on whether the Fed. gov't (military) can step in without express permission of the state.

The debate will be a good one -- in which Blanco's failures will become apparent, even if no one names names.