Response to Katrina may impact President Bush's legacy

The Dallas Morning News ^ | ROBERT HILLMAN

[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.

[jmc1969]

The media is in full Bush bashing mode above the level they were at the hight of the campaign.

[MizSterious]

If it weren't for President Bush, there would have been no evacuation orders at all. The governor and mayor dropped the ball.

[silverleaf]

The Dallas Morning News wouldn't know leadership even if someone typed them a memo on an IBM selectric.

[JennysCool]

I'm amazed at how they just make stuff up and don't even attempt to hide it anymore.

[Arkie2]

Yep, but they have their campaign issue for 06 and 08. It's going to be a very brutal election season.

[Merry]

The Black Caucus better start looking at the incompetent governor and mayor. the President couldn't just start ordering troops into her state without her permission. Why isn't the black Caucus leadership in New Orleans establishing order and helping out? I guess it's much easier to be on television bashing the President.

[SteveMcKing]

They think that images of looters and stories of kids being raped to death will hurt conservatives?

[AmericanMade1776]

Isn't the Governor of Lousiana, and the Mayor of New Orleans..both Democrats?

[MNJohnnie]

Ah NO Because the truth WILL get out even if the Dinosaurs will NOT report it. The Hate Bush Dinosaur media still does NOT understand that the President has VERY limited authority here. Bush CANNOT order the NG into Louisiana, Gov Blanco has to do it.

[AmericanMade1776]

Didn't the elected Democrats of Lousiana..the Governor of La and Mayor of New Orleans tell the locals to huddle in the Super Dome..instead of get out of town?

[upchuck]

Response to Katrina may impact President Bush's legacy

Gee, ya reckon? Frigging RAT bastard asshole!

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

the gov of LA and the mayor of NO are going to hang for this... watch.

[Doogle]

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.

...AN OUTRIGHT LIE!!!!!!
administrations going back 50 years have never even giving a second thought about levee's
..another blame Bush...don't blame the incompetent mayor or totally inept democratic governor


Doogle

[Texas Eagle]

Well, hell. If President Bush is supposed to run everything in New Orleans, why the hell do they need a mayor?

Is he responsible for everything that goes wrong in Louisiana as well? If so, why do they even have a Governor. Or Senators. Or Representatives.

You know what, Mr. Hillman. Go screw yourself.

[Texas Eagle]

the gov of LA and the mayor of NO are going to hang for this... watch.

Betcha any amount of money.

Or Blue Diamond matchsticks.

[NormsRevenge]

sounds like the Dallas Morning
News could use a good FReeping.

[ncountylee]

Didn't the elected Democrats of Lousiana..the Governor of La and Mayor of New Orleans tell the locals to huddle in the Super Dome..instead of get out of town?

They did, so now they are qualified to blame Bush.

[USNBandit]

When all is said and done, I think it will be quite apparent how the local government collapsed. I've heard the mayor, have read his statements, but I haven't seen him down at the Superdome and the Convention Center. I just saw the Chief of Police at the Convention Center and two separate clips showed him losing his mind. A complete vacuum of leadership exists.

[ClearCase_guy]

Began presidency in a recession.
Previous administration's lax terrorist policy prevented interception of 9/11 terrorist attack.
9/11 attack has huge impact on US economy.
Freedom restored to Afghanistan
Libya gives up WMD
Syrian troops leave Lebanon
Egypt moves toward real elections.
Terror-supporting despot removed in Iraq and democratic government initiated there.
US economy is strongest in the world, with unemployment at 4.9% during a time of low inflation.
Hurricane devastates New Orleans.
Democrat mayor and governor fail to handle Katrina disaster.
Bush steps in and kick-starts massive relief effort.

This legacy compares favorably to Bill Clinton's, IMO.

[jigsaw]

Robert Hillman (the author of the above garbage)

The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau, reporting from Washington has been a national and White House correspondent for The Dallas Morning News in Washington since January, 1997. He was deputy chief of the Washington Bureau from 1988 to 1997 and chief of the Austin Bureau from 1984 to 1988.

He has reported on the last six presidential campaigns - in 1980 for The Chicago Sun-Times and in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 2000 for The Dallas Morning News. In 1997, he covered the Oklahoma City bombing trial in Denver. He joined The Dallas Morning News in April, 1984.