Froomkin demolishes Bush-overestimator's premise in online chat

[BurtWorm]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2005/09/02/DI2005090201539.html

Shepherdstown, W.Va.: I think it is going to become increasingly clear that Blanco and other state-level authorities did not call for federal assistance early enough, notably on Aug. 27 when President Bush reportedly made contact with her office on the state of the emergency. It seems that Democrats are going to have to do a lot of humble pie eating soon. Net result: public anger at all politicians. Do you read these same trends, and what of this do you think will stick to Bush? Because I call him the new teflon president. Sure his polls are soggy, but given all the things his administration is accused of, he's doing mighty fine.

Dan Froomkin: Politically, as long as Bush's base and the Republican Congress stick with him, he can hang tough. The thing about the Katrina recovery is that, unlike overtly partisan issues, it has some potential to erode that support.

As for blaming the locals, I am quite sure that the local and state governments deserve some of the blame for this catastrophe. Some of the things the White House is saying aren't correct, but some, I'm sure, are.

But Bush's image as America's protector is extremely important to him, and to his base.

Ultimately, I don't see how his saying "I'll protect you -- unless of course your local officials fail you, in which case I'll let you die a horrible death on national TV," is going to make him look good.

[BurtWorm]

1. Froomkin offers common sense on Barbara "Bonehead" Bush

Arlington, Va.: I think Barbara Bush's "let them eat cake" attitude expressed after meeting with some of the storm survivors in Houston is quite telling and it seems to perfectly sum up what I believe to be the President's problem as well. They have absolutely no experience with poor people and just look down on these folks. I think Bill Clinton who grew up poor could connect with people, but George W. Bush has never wanted for anything in his whole entire life, so he just can't wrap his mind around what those people down there are going through.

Dan Froomkin: I think Barbara Bush has some explaining to do.

(The New York Times, picks up the story today and reports: "As President Bush battled criticism over the response to Hurricane Katrina, his mother declared it a success for evacuees who 'were underprivileged anyway,' saying on Monday that many of the poor people she had seen while touring a Houston relocation site were faring better than before the storm hit.")

If she somehow misspoke herself, she should explain that.
But if she really feels that these "underprivileged" people are better off living in a shelter than in their homes, after undergoing unfathomable trauma, then she needs to apologize profusely and/or leave the public stage.

And I would like her son to address the matter sometime.

Wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't anyone?

[bryant69]

2. That's solid.

Yeah we're a long way from "The Buck Stops Here."

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Garbo 2004]

3. Excellent.

"Ultimately, I don't see how his saying "I'll protect you -- unless of course your local officials fail you, in which case I'll let you die a horrible death on national TV," is going to make him look good."