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"A huge drain of resources"
Posted on ThinkProgress:This Administration never ceases to amaze me.
Comment by Jennifer Palmieri
I worked in the Clinton White House for 8 years. We saw many disasters — Oklahoma City, earthquakes in Los Angeles, floods in North Dakota, tornadoes in Arksanas, hurricanes in Florida, hurricanes and floods in North Carolina and on and on.
President Clinton excelled in his role as “consoler in chief.” But more importantly, he excelled at running a government that consistently provided expeditious relief to victims of disasters. James Lee Witt brought a level of excellence and professionalism to FEMA that should be a model for all government agencies.
President Bush, by contrast, seems to think his responsibility in this disaster begins and ends with a photo op.
With all due respect to the office of the President, the people of Louisiana don’t need to see President Bush — they need to see some food and shelter.
The White House’s use of a helicopter and Coast Guard personnel for a photo op shows a stunning lack of judgement. Bush cannot “photo-op” his way out of this problem. He needs to govern.
When disaster hit a part of America, President Clinton was always eager to visit the victims. But he would never, ever attempt a trip until James Lee Witt gave the White House the okay that a Presidential trip would not affect recovery efforts.
Presidential trips are a huge resource drain on local and federal law enforcement. It is inconceivable to me that President Bush’s trip today is not impeding recovery and relief efforts. It is inconceivable. And unconscienable.
President Bush and his officials should get themselves off the television and on the job.
3.9.05 13:41