Analysis: Bush record mixed on disasters (Whaaaaat?)

mixed?


Analysis: Bush record mixed on disasters
By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer
10 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - Disaster has been both the making and the undoing of President Bush.

Bush's bearing after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — tough yet empathetic — felt right to the public. The attacks transformed a presidency that had been searching for purpose, and he rode voters' support to a second term despite questions about the economy and the war in Iraq.

He was far less sure-footed when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. He stumbled through his initial appearances in the disaster zone, leaving the impression of a president distant from the immense suffering. His presidency — like the region — has never quite recovered from its faltering early reaction.

When tragedy strikes, presidents are expected to be national consoler — figures who affirm the grief even as they chart a path out of it. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.

President Bush's father, in the middle of a what became his losing re-election campaign in 1992, was slammed for his administration's lackluster response to Hurricane Andrew. By contrast, Bill Clinton rebuilt his embattled presidency partially on the strength of his commanding reaction to the Oklahoma City bombings.

The current President Bush has had plenty of experience with disaster.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070418/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_and_disaster_8

how post-modern is that?

that is mixed. It all depends on what his handlers tell him is best: is it a swing state, what are the latest polling numbers, are there good photo ops or pandering ops?

Its hard to categorize some of his "disaster" moments.

Sometimes he's stupid
Sometimes he's evil
Sometimes he's evil but pretends to be stupid
Sometimes he's incompetent but pretends to be stupid

Really he's a renaissance screwup.

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

After hearing today's godawful news from surge-protected Baghdad (although not on the TV - that's still all VT shootings), I want more than ever for Bush's War to be OVER and Bush's butt to be GONE, GONE, GONE forever.

What a terrible thing to happen to our country he has been.

That's all they're really talking about.

Reading My Pet Goat for seven minutes? Flying hither and thither like a scared rabbit?

OK, the fact that he was persona non grata during those first few days DID comfort me a little, I must admit - although Cheney out of the picture would have helped.