Katrina Photo-Op Now and Then

PresidentBush goes down to the Gulf Coast for Operation Photo-op. The President is trying desperately to make people forget how badly he handled Katrina. A New York Times/CBS News poll found 51% disapprove of Bush's handling of Katrina. As Bush poses for the press, let us not forget another photo-op he staged for the media. This time last year.

.

The problem with Bush is all he knows is photo-opportunites. We all remember mission accomplished.



Problems are not solved by photo-ops. This administration lives by the photo-op then try to explain away the more embarrassing PR disasters. Scott McClellan disgracefully blaming the whole thing on the sailors of the USS Lincoln.

"It was an idea that was suggested by those on the ship as a way to honor the sailors and crew on board the USS Lincoln for accomplishing their mission."

Scotty then had to explain why it was the White House who had the banner made. None of this bring peace in Iraq or helps to living conditions of Katrina victims who are still homeless. Perhaps Bush and Rockey Vaccarella can explain to Janice Tambrella where these million FEMA trailers are.

It has been 11 months since Hurricane Katrina hit and Janice Tambrella still does not have a home. She doesn't even have a trailer of her own.

Tambrella is currently jammed in with 10 other relatives in a single trailer delivered to a luckier relative. Sleeping on the floor, living out of cars surrounded by overgrown grass and storm-felled trees, she sighs, "I need a place to stay."

So do a lot of people. But the President has photo-ops to go to. That doesn't leave much time for governing. Especially, for an administration that believes that image is everything and substance is nothing.

Update: those great results that makes Rockey wish Bush could do a third term.

Of the $110 billion allocated by Congress and the administration to help victims of last year's three hurricanes, $86 billion has been obligated in signed contracts or sent to the states, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget. At least $44 billion has been spent.

The money that has been spent was mainly split between flood-insurance payments and the FEMA disaster-relief fund, which has doled out more than $21 billion.

FEMA faced the toughest early challenge in the disaster in providing housing and money for thousands of displaced people. The results were riddled with mismanagement, the Government Accountability Office said in a June report.