Posted on 09/02/2005 6:38:55 PM PDT by jmc1969
Blistered by stinging criticism that his administration has failed in its hurricane relief efforts, President Bush faces a new political threat that could further erode his leadership and tarnish his legacy.
His job approval ratings are at record lows for his presidency. And analysts said they will surely dip deeper because of the administration's public struggle to deal with the chaos after Hurricane Katrina.
Democratic critics have charged that Bush's determination to curb spending and implement sweeping tax cuts siphoned funds for levee improvements in New Orleans, among other projects.
For instance, in this fiscal year, the administration cut a $27 million request for hurricane-protection projects around Lake Pontchartrain to just under $4 million
"The president is destroying the fabric of America with a combined policy of war, tax cuts for the wealthy and reductions in spending for domestic needs," said Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.
"He doesn't instinctively know what he should do in these circumstances," Sabato said, noting that it took Bush a day or so to mount a full-blown public response to the 9-11 terrorism attacks four years ago.
Democratic critics had launched a pre-emptive strike, led by the Congressional Black Caucus, which charged Bush with neglect.
"To the president of the United States, I simply say that God cannot be pleased with our response," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md.
Responding to earlier suggestions that the administration's efforts lagged in New Orleans because many of the residents are black and poor, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said "such allegations are baseless and absurd."
Nonetheless, such assertions already have triggered a national debate that at the very least could crimp the Republican Party's outreach to minorities.
..the Bush administration's response already could be an impediment on the president's "ability to govern" and a lasting blemish on his legacy.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
I know this is way off the subject,but I know how knowledgeable you freepers are and wanted to ask this question.A neighbor stated to me that Clinton got the economy going by giving credit cards to college students.I stated I knew nothing about this,but I doubt Bill did anything good what so ever and that I would find out.Could anyone help me out on this manner.Thank you so much.
I know this is way off the subject,but I know how knowledgeable you freepers are and wanted to ask this question.A neighbor stated to me that Clinton got the economy going by giving credit cards to college students.I stated I knew nothing about this,but I doubt Bill did anything good what so ever and that I would find out.Could anyone help me out on this matter.Thank you so much.
They would not even order an evacuation until the President called and pleaded with them to do so. You notice the organized response in MS is going far better than in LA. Competent leadership makes a difference.
Now, go ahead with the childish "YOU ARENT DRINKING THE KOOL-AID.....GO BACK TO DU!!!!!!!!" stupid remarks because I dare to think on my own. The mayor was wrong, the govenor was wrong, and the FEMA head has a constant 'deer in the headlight' looksthat just screams of him being lost.
You are right. This is truly amazing to see this at work.
On the flip side of the coin, I was talking with a friend that lives in Houston. He is a democrat with some conservative leanings. Surprizingly, he was praising President Bush and said that this disaster opened his eyes to how, in day-to-day life, some people have grown to expect the government to do and think for them so that when a situation like this arises, they are paralyzed to help themselves.
Good chance it'll impact Nagin's legacy, too. (Let's hope.)
Good chance it'll impact Nagin's legacy, too. (Let's hope.)
They have too because the honest truth is out there that the democrats in leadership will kill you. WE have to keep hammering home the fact that "Democrats can bus people to the polls but they can't bus them to save their lives."
The MSM is still trying to prove they are in charge. They program the masses with their anti-Bush memes at all times. They spend so much time at it, it's pretty much a waste of time watching them for actual news content.
"the gov of LA and the mayor of NO are going to hang for this"
They need to at the very least lose their jobs over this, but at best, there should something they could be prosecuted for. Criminal negligence?
I love this. Did you send this to "Letters to the Editor" yet?
This article answers that question. I don't know if it's been posted on FR yet, but the author has a pretty good handle on why New Orleans is so different.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, the budget gave the levee system more money than the year before, even though it wasn't as much as they requested. That said, what have they done with the funding from previous years? Follow the money--I predict it will lead directly to the pockets of some dem power-brokers.
Barbour rocks! I hope the R's take a close look at him for the next presidential election! The man has a rare quality, all too rare in government: LEADERSHIP. The President has it, Rudy has it, but too few others do.
There was a lot of money budgeted. What happened to it should be investigated. If people "follow the money" as they should, the trail will likely lead directly to the pockets of a 'Rat operative and/or his/her cronies.
Read the article. Even the governor says Bush pretty much twisted her arm to get the evacuation started. As to why R's aren't shouting this from the rooftop--think about it: they never do. They should be shouting about a lot of things from the rooftops, but they always act like they're guilty of something. We need to get Karen Hughes to come back to work!
I've read that numerous times here at FR. People outside FR don't care. They wanted Bush to do the right and best thing from the moment Katrina hit New Orleans, REGARDLESS of the law. They thought he was a cowboy who played by his own rules to get the job done. This is a big CF for Bush. I've talked to friends and family all over the US. They don't care about what Nagin or Blanco did or did not do beforehand or afterward. They care about why Bush hasn't come to the rescue of those people with the power of the entire federal government.
I'll take that bet. No way do they take the rap for this. You're in an FR fishbowl.
Ok, here's my childish "YOU ARENT DRINKING THE KOOL-AID.....GO BACK TO DU!!!!!!!!" stupid remark. Pack a lunch, because despite what you may have heard, there aren't any free ones, especially at DU.
Now to your comment about FEMA not doing enough. First, before FEMA or anyone can act, the governor has to request it. That was delayed for who knows what reason--she just sat on it. Once the request goes out, it DOES take time to put everything in motion. Reacting without thinking and planning first just makes matter worse.
Finally, FEMA is not responsible for the criminal behavior of the projects denizens. Blame that one on generations of the welfare state. FEMA (and any rescuer for that matter) should not have to try to rescue people or deliver aid if they're under fire from the criminals.
Now, by all means, go back to your usual liberal programming.
People think he's responsible for dealing with big messes like this wherever they are.
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