[rhombus]

Hmmm, what would a guy like Billy Clinton do with this kind of power?

[MNJohnnie]

Damned if he do, damned if he don't. What a lousy Catch 22 the Pres is stuck in.

[moasicwolf]

This is a typical example of the dysfunctional behavior of trying to be responsible for someone else's irresponsibility. Some of us have tried that approach within the family system and it breeds nothing but dependency, resentment, pain, and more suffering.

Create a great Free Republic Day!

[lormand]

All this because of some highly incompetent idiots in Louisiana, i.e., DemokRATS

[mad puppy]

Huge mistake.

Anytime the Federal Gov't gets more power, its bad.

[untrained skeptic]

This is a very bad idea.

I can understand Bush's wish to be able to help and not have his hands tied by incompetent governors.

However, the States are supposed to be free from Federal interference in such issues unless they ask for help. THe states have the authority and the responsibility, and it should remain that way.

[Heartofsong83]

It's a Catch-22 for sure.

The federal government are not first responders. However, what happens if state and local officials (as well as FEMA) bungle the case, as they did with Katrina?

[kellynla]

Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama responded very well to the hurricanes. So why should the whole system be changed because one state with a couple of morons for governor and mayor of N'awlins screwed up!
Solution: replace "Dumb & Dumber" and leave well enough alone!

[jla]

GWB needs to appropriate some federal taxpayer funds and build a new multi-million dollar edifice to house the soon-to-be-burgeoning Dept. of Hurricanes and Other Natural Calamities

[WilliamWallace1999]

Fellow Freepers. I think we are seeing more srtategery in action. This is a direct counter-punch to the media attack on the President's response to Katrina. This move highlights the way the current laws work and will put the liberals in a catch-22. They would love to have more power, but supporting this move lets him off the hook. Opposing this plan shows they really DIDN'T want to fix the problem, just attack Bush. This move parries both lines of attack.

[Brilliant]

We don't need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Blanco is the bathwater.

[Pessimist]

The party of smaller government strikes again.

[lepton]

President Bush yesterday sought to federalize hurricane-relief efforts, removing governors from the decision-making process.

...Or, we could just elect competent governors.

[NRA1995]

What an original idea.....expanding the federal govt's powers.....

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[sydbas]

While I don't think this is a good idea I can't blame President Bush for proposing it. Essentially he is saying that OK I took a big hit for Katrina so I am going to make sure that next time I don't have to deal with the likes of Nagin and Blanco. If the dems stand in his way he can say, after the next disaster, I tried to get authority to step in but you blocked it. This is a political move and at least it's a 'fighting back' attempt by President Bush.

[D-fendr]

I dunno if this is good or bad, but they should name it the Blanco-Nagin Act.

[Gone GF]

Bush has been expanding federal government and presidential power ever since he was elected. Is anybody really surprised he's grabbing at the chance to do so again?

[azhenfud]

"It wouldn't be necessary to get a request from the governor or take other action," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said yesterday.

"This would be," he added, "more of an automatic trigger."

So much for enumerated powers of the FedGov and the Constitution. Might as well throw conservatism out the same window.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Emergencies? Riots? Floods? Volcanos? Terrorists? Wrong election outcome? Endangered species?