President George W. Bush took responsibility on Tuesday for any failures in the federal response to Hurricane Katrina and acknowledged the storm exposed serious deficiencies at all levels of government four years after the September 11 attacks.

 

"To the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush told a White House news conference at which he openly questioned U.S. preparedness for another storm or a "severe attack."

 

Bush's rare admission of "serious problems in our response capability" came as the White House stepped up efforts to repair his public standing. Bush will address the nation at 9 p.m. EDT (0100 GMT) on Thursday from hard-hit Louisiana, his fourth visit to the disaster zone since Katrina struck.

 

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush would use Thursday's address to "talk to the American people about the recovery and the way forward on the longer-term rebuilding."

 

The president's approval ratings have hit new lows, partly due to fierce criticism of the slow response to the August 29 hurricane, which killed hundreds and displaced 1 million people in the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

 

Fifty-four percent of Americans disapprove of Bush's handling of the response, but 57 percent say state and local officials should bear responsibility for the problems, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC poll.

 

Asked if Americans should worry that the government remains unprepared to respond to another major disaster or a terrorist attack, Bush said: "Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government."

 

Bush himself raised questions about preparedness, after four years of record spending on domestic security since September 11, 2001.

 

"Are we capable of dealing with a severe attack or another severe storm? That's a very important question and it's in our national interest that we find out exactly what went on so we can better respond," he said at a news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

 

Michael Brown resigned as head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday.

 

Republican senators with close ties to Bush have urged him to appoint a top official to lead the long-term recovery. White House officials say that is among options being discussed.

 

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and retired Gen. Tommy Franks, former head of the U.S. Central Command have been mentioned for the job.

 

Giuliani said on CNBC that a commission like the one that investigated the September 11 attacks could assess the response. "Whether there were failures here on the state, city and federal level, I think a commission can decide that six months from now," he said. "No one person is responsible for this."

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/13/M..._EIC358139.html

Good for him, they're will still be those who bash him on this just for the sake of bashing him but it take's something to admit you were wrong on such a big level issue such as this.

Good for him, they're will still be those who bash him on this just for the sake of bashing him but it take's something to admit you were wrong on such a big level issue such as this.

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I agree, that was the right thing to do. Now lets do what is required to fix the issues, so we are prepared for the next disaster

"To the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush told a White House news conference at which he openly questioned U.S. preparedness for another storm or a "severe attack."

not exactly a groundbreaking statement there.

Definitely the wise and correct thing to do.

 

Now, hopefully, all those questions of blame and responsibility can be put to rest, and our governments, and the media as well, can focus on the more important processes of the recovery (i.e., getting people back on their feet, and learning from our mistakes).

so why is brown no longer in charge of FEMA if it wasnt his fault?

so why is brown no longer in charge of FEMA if it wasnt his fault?

943542[/snapback]

I heard he wasn't communicating well with Baton Rouge after the fight they had behind closed doors the week after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Brown and Blanco's Offices were not playing nice, so Bush put in a military director and recalled him to Washington. It appears the Vice President's observations on his visit were less than appealing.

He reacted much faster than his father did in Andrew.

Interesting indeed that this admission came the day after the worst polling numbers of his presidency were released.... :mischief2 :mischief2 :mischief2

 

This is the first time I can remember him admitting doing something wrong in his entire presidency.

Interesting indeed that this admission came the day after the worst polling numbers of his presidency were released.... :mischief2? :mischief2? :mischief2

 

This is the first time I can remember him admitting doing something wrong in his entire presidency.

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It's obvious to any thinking person that it's no coincidence at all. GWB is a politician and I see no fault in him trying to hedge against those god-awful numbers. I mean 38% approval? Drastic measures had to be taken.

I thought Bush didnt pay attention to the polls. :mischief2

I thought Bush didnt pay attention to the polls. :mischief2

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He does when they're dangerously low with elections a year away. :mischief2

I thought Bush didnt pay attention to the polls. :mischief2

943594[/snapback]

 

He does when they're dangerously low with elections a year away. :mischief2

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exactly if those numbers continue as they are then then the Republicans would lose the senate and most likely the House would become closer again. If that happend he couldnt get his Extremist right wing judges in.

 

 

but what is important here isnt polls or politics. It is getting those folks set up and on their feet and start to see the city rebuilding plans drawn it. Take their time as necessary in NO, and do it right this time.

I thought Bush didnt pay attention to the polls. :mischief2

943594[/snapback]

 

He does when they're dangerously low with elections a year away. :mischief2

943603[/snapback]

Gay marriage will creep back in and absolutely pwn the Democrats. Don't sweat it.

 

 

:lol

I thought Bush didnt pay attention to the polls.? :mischief2

943594[/snapback]

 

He does when they're dangerously low with elections a year away. :mischief2

943603[/snapback]

Gay marriage will creep back in and absolutely pwn the Democrats. Don't sweat it.

 

 

:lol

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:lol :lol :lol

I thought Bush didnt pay attention to the polls. :mischief2

943594[/snapback]

 

He does when they're dangerously low with elections a year away. :mischief2

943603[/snapback]

Gay marriage will creep back in and absolutely pwn the Democrats. Don't sweat it.

 

 

:lol

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:lol :lol :lol

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Apparently this time its child molesters. Theyre trying to link Nelson to child molesters.

"Brown, you're doin a hell of a job!"

Good for him, they're will still be those who bash him on this just for the sake of bashing him but it take's something to admit you were wrong on such a big level issue such as this.

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Yup, finally something I can respect him for is his taking responsibility for the failure on the federal level in this disaster.

so why is brown no longer in charge of FEMA if it wasnt his fault?

943542[/snapback]

I heard he wasn't communicating well with Baton Rouge after the fight they had behind closed doors the week after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Brown and Blanco's Offices were not playing nice, so Bush put in a military director and recalled him to Washington. It appears the Vice President's observations on his visit were less than appealing.

943547[/snapback]

 

 

and there goes my point over the heads of others.

I thought Bush didnt pay attention to the polls. :mischief2

943594[/snapback]

 

He does when they're dangerously low with elections a year away. :mischief2

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I think it's more dramatic than that. With his current poll numbers, his ability to make any headway on his legislative agenda is diminished.

so why is brown no longer in charge of FEMA if it wasnt his fault?

943542[/snapback]

I heard he wasn't communicating well with Baton Rouge after the fight they had behind closed doors the week after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Brown and Blanco's Offices were not playing nice, so Bush put in a military director and recalled him to Washington. It appears the Vice President's observations on his visit were less than appealing.

943547[/snapback]

 

 

I heard he got asked to return to washington.. so he left right away and showed up a week later

 

sorry bad joke

 

:whistle

I thought Bush didnt pay attention to the polls. :mischief2

943594[/snapback]

 

He does when they're dangerously low with elections a year away. :mischief2

943603[/snapback]

I think it's more dramatic than that. With his current poll numbers, his ability to make any headway on his legislative agenda is diminished.

943805[/snapback]

 

He might not even be able to push his 2 conservative judges in to overturn Roe vs Wade.

you see he says that now because he cant run for president no more but he didnt take responsibility for sep 11 since he knew it was gonna happen because he wanted to be elected in 2004 but hes saying hes taking responsibility for the disaster because this is his last term.

you see he says that now because he cant run for president no more but he didnt take responsibility for sep 11 since he knew it was gonna happen because he wanted to be elected in 2004 but hes saying hes taking responsibility for the disaster because this is his last term.

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Excuse me, but WTF did you just say?

 

I drunk are when type you!

you see he says that now because he cant run for president no more but he didnt take responsibility for sep 11 since he knew it was gonna happen because he wanted to be elected in 2004 but hes saying hes taking responsibility for the disaster because this is his last term.

944860[/snapback]

 

Excuse me, but WTF did you just say?

 

I drunk are when type you!

944970[/snapback]

 

 

I dont think bush knew 911 was gonna happen. Heck even if he did I am sure he wouldnt think it would of been as big as it was. Was there prior warnings and signs? Yes, but I dont think that is fair and is a cheap shot. Heck this coming from me, someone that left the republican party because of his neo-facist actions of bush. That are against everything the republicans should stand for.