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September 12, 2005

Is Bush to Blame for Katrina's Aftermath?

Debate continues as to whether or not the Bush Administration is to blame for what has been called a slow evacuation and restoration of order to New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

According to the Associated Press, "more than half of respondents in an Associated Press-Ipsos poll last week said [Bush] is at fault for the slow response" to Katrina's aftermath.

Critics blame Bush for leaving valuable resources - money and manpower - in Iraq, instead of moving them to New Orleans and other areas hit by Katrina. Some critics also argue race may have played a part in the slow evacuation of New Orleans after Katrina devastated the city.

Defenders of Bush say that there are more than enough troops for both Iraq and Katrina's aftermath. And according to an AP article, Bush "said Congress should consider whether the federal government should have more authority to step into disaster areas [of Katrina] without a request from the states."

What do you think? Is Bush to blame for Katrina's poor evacuation and slow recovery, or are state and local governments at fault for Katrina's sloppy evacuation and the past anarchy of New Orleans? Do you think race played an issue in the initial and later evacuations due to Katrina?

Posted by Tuck at 12:09 PM | Comments (127)