"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government," Bush said at joint White House news conference with the president of Iraq.
"To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said.
I respect him saying this. Only 5 years into his Presidency and now this. I would have respected him for doing this sooner and more often, but I will take this.
3 comments:
Streak
Thanks for pointing this out. I'm always torn in situations like this. Do you acknowledge that the person in question is finally actually doing what you'd hoped would have been a regular occurance in his administration i.e. acknowledge mistakes and accept responsibility. Unfortunately, my skeptical mind has visions of Rove seeing a dip in the polls below 40% approval and public support of a critical press resulting in a desperate dance with image damage-control. Maybe, as is often the case, it's a combination of the above.
BB
I agree, but what have we come to when doing the right thing is itself just another form of spin?
My fear is that this will lead into another discussion about the inabilities and inefficiencies of government-based solutions. Apparently, we will soon learn that we need a marketized solution to disaster relief. Who might fit the bill in the private sector? Why Blackwater for security and Halliburton for logistical support and clean up, of course. And perhaps some faith-based initiatives so that we can pray the hurricane into someone else's cities.
Yeah, I understand. I don't doubt that this is face saving and response to the polls.
My point was that I would like to encourage good behavior, especially when it has been so very lacking.
Bucky raises a good point, but I think that just as there is no broad support to gut SS, there is a lot of support for this kind of government activity. I really think that Americans recognize that the government can do better and should.
Please understand--I am not taking this as some kind of absolution for Bush's sins. I see this as one positive move--even if it is precipitated by bad poll numbers. But it is just one recognition. If that is all it is, then nothing will change.
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