WP - Froomkin: Bush's Second Great Challenge (Hurricane Katrina)

[sabra]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2005/08/31/BL2005083101127.html

Bush's Second Great Challenge

By Dan Froomkin
Special to washingtonpost.com

As the enormity of the disaster along the Gulf Coast slowly comes into focus, President Bush breaks off his vacation to return to Washington today and confront what may be the second great challenge of his presidency.

Bush is unlikely to act as divisively as he did after the first, when he responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by invading first Afghanistan and then Iraq. But he already faces tough questions about his slow response to Hurricane Katrina and the relative lack of federal preparation.


Critics and supporters alike agree that in the coming days and weeks, Bush and his aides will be grappling with defining decisions and a test of his leadership.

Among the questions being asked around Washington and the blogosphere this morning:

* If the reason Bush returned to Washington is that he is more effective here, then why didn't he come back two days ago?

* If the White House considers the return from vacation largely symbolic, then what is the symbolism of his long vacation during a war?

* Could Bush and the federal government have done more to prepare for hurricane recovery? Unlike the Asian tsunami, this hurricane was forecast days ahead of time.

* Did any of his previous budget decisions allow the hurricane to cause more damage than it might have otherwise?

* Are National Guard troops and equipment required to restore order in this country many thousands of miles away.

* Will he and his administration meet this disaster quickly and effective with the appropriate civilian and military resources and manpower?

* Will the White House provide the bold leadership and vision that the nation requires?

[thedailyshow]

1. I hope reporters will ask those questions!

[SunDrop23]

2. SECOND? He never stepped up to the FIRST ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beetwasher]

3. Bush Declares War On Poseidon

Begins preparation for an invasion of Atlantis.

[melody]

6. lol

My favorite post so far today.

Thanks for the chuckle.

[aden_nak]

7. Halfway through the war in Atlantis, he attacks the Isle of Lesbos instead

When asked (one year after the fact) why we attacked Lesbos while Poseidon was allowed to flee Atlantis, White House Spokesman Scott McClellan was quoted as having said, "8/30! 8/30! Questions like that allow the Hurricans to win. . . huh huh huh huh. Lesbos."

[BillZBubb]

4. He needed to add:

* Will the devastation produced by this mega-storm be enough to get the nitwit to admit global warming is real and requires an immediate and bold plan that actually does something?

[FSogol]

5. The answer to the last question:

Will the White House provide the bold leadership and vision that the nation requires?

Is No.

[Cassandra]

8. Freudian slip?

"Bush is unlikely to act as divisively as he did after the first"
Did he mean divisively or decisively? Personally, I thought he was divisive but I'm not sure the writer thinks that.