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.
I'm thinking it's a huge poker play by President Bush. I think he knows that no one will go for it and I think you hit the nail on the head, sydbas.
The trouble with Bush wagering state's rights on the political cardtable is Dems can and will call the President's bluff, let him and the Republican majority pass it so the President would get the onus dumped back in his lap and IIRC, Bush owns no pen of veto. The Dems then will say, "See! we told you Repubs are no conservatives of Constitutional principles!"
I'd rather see the incompetent Blanco and Nagin fly into a frenzy and self-destruct than to forever lose states' authority to place assets where they're most needed. Blanco and Nagin's fall seems such a small sacrifice for Constitutional principle.
Essentially he is saying that OK I took a big hit for Katrina so I am going to expand the powers of the federal government to fix a press problem..
There I fixed it for you..
"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."
There is no defense for this. This is crazy. You don't make political points by attempting to trash the US constitution.
There is just something wrong there. And don't be positive that this won't pass. The congress critters would still retain power. And all the congress critters care about are themselves.