[kempo]

A tornado distroyed the down town area of my home town a few years back and Clinton showed up the next day. There were over 400 security and support people with him. All rescue efforts were stopped for 6 hours while he had his photo taken with a select few. I asked the SS agent encharge what this visit was costing the U.S. tax payer and he said " Oh about a million dollars an hour." It is unbelieveable how much it cost to move the President from one place to another. The president going to N.Y. at this time would just put undue strain on the rescue efforts. Bush cares about this, Clinton would not.

[62chrysler]

Thank you for a reasoned and well thought out reply. Agreed it is a major consideration. But while it may be a reason to hesitate about going to NYC, it does not justify not returning to DC more quickly.

[NatureGirl]

Regarding tornados and presidents: I agree with what you said about costs. Of course, the other reason why Bush shouldn't have gone to NYC or DC right away is that (even now) he's still a target. Terrorism and natural disasters are not the same thing (but you knew that already - that's for other posters who don't have a clue).

Clinton can go where he pleases because he's no threat to his "friends".