In total shock right now...

[WDWBetsy]

CNN link

and

FOX News link

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Holy cow!!!!!!! where's that jaw-drop smiley?

Well it is honorable for him to take responsibility for it.

I wasn't expecting it at all!

 

[Deb in IA]

Well, you know where the buck stops. Why are you in shock?

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Good for him. It was the right thing to do to take responsibility.

I expect he saw the writing on the wall with this one.

 

[DawnCt1]

Good for him. It was the right thing to do to take responsibility.

I expect he saw the writing on the wall with this one.

It won't satisfy his critics; only the public at large who know that he is a good and caring president.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Well, I am a critic of his. I'm not sure what you mean by satisfying.....the situation is what it is...I just think it was the right thing to do and I am glad he did it. No more, no less.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well, you know where the buck stops. Why are you in shock?

cliche aside....

It is b/c I don't recall much ever him apologizing much for anything--or taking responsibility for it and am AMAZED that he made such a statement and happy that he did.

(and I voted for him twice--and am still amazed!)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Wanted to add--that there was a thread last week or so that inquired if we thought bush would apologize....and I would group this statement into that category and as something that I didn't expect...regardless of the need to take some responsibility.

 

[lbgraves]

I am shaking my head because I don't believe that it ALL is his fault. Now are the mayor & governor who refused to let federal aid or the red cross or anyone else who wanted to go into their state to help absolved from their screw ups?

 

[Viking]

Ooops,
he surprised me, I'd never have thought that he had the balls to take over responsibilty for that mess.
But I won't hold my breat til he surprises me with capabilty

 

[WDWBetsy]

Why was I shocked? Because I really didn't expect it.

Honestly - he has gained more respect from me by doing this.

 

[beattyfamily]

I am shaking my head because I don't believe that it ALL is his fault. Now are the mayor & governor who refused to let federal aid or the red cross or anyone else who wanted to go into their state to help absolved from their screw ups?

I agree. It's surprising that he said what he said seeing as I think the local officials bear most of the blame.

And, no it won't satisfy most of his 'critics' as they hate him too much...they want blood.

 

[gina2000]

No, it's not all his fault but it's his responsibility to oversee and ultimately to accept blame for the federal part of this disaster.

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government and to the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said during a joint news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

 

[snoopy]

Damage control. Nothing new.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'm curious if the Mayor and Governor said the same yet?

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I can't say that I am surprised, he is the President and I am sure when his poll numbers started to drastically decline his people knew that he needed to make a statement. I do feel that he is not the only one who should be taking the blame (i.e Governer and Mayor) but at least he finally stepped up to the plate.

 

[mom2alix]

I am shaking my head because I don't believe that it ALL is his fault. Now are the mayor & governor who refused to let federal aid or the red cross or anyone else who wanted to go into their state to help absolved from their screw ups?

He didn't say it was ALL his fault, he said:

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government and to the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said during a joint news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. (emphasis mine)

He is taking responisibility for what is under his control, as is appropriate. I personally watched an interview with Nagin where he admitted that he had responsibility for the mess in NO on the local level. Haven't seen anything from Blanco, but it may be out there too. The important thing is that people stop trying to claim "their guy" did everything right and look honestly at EVERYTHING that went wrong and try to fix it so we don't have this mess again. The state and local levels definitely messed up, but that is still no excuse for FEMA's mess ups. They ALL need to get better.

Good for Bush, cliche or no "The Buck Stops Here" is true for the President. (Being a Missouri girl, I also gotta love it anytime you quote Truman! )

 

[WDWBetsy]

He didn't say it was ALL his fault, he said:

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government and to the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said during a joint news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. (emphasis mine)

He is taking responisibility for what is under his control, as is appropriate. I personally watched an interview with Nagin where he admitted that he had responsibility for the mess in NO on the local level. Haven't seen anything from Blanco, but it may be out there too. The important thing is that people stop trying to claim "their guy" did everything right and look honestly at EVERYTHING that went wrong and try to fix it so we don't have this mess again. The state and local levels definitely messed up, but that is still no excuse for FEMA's mess ups. They ALL need to get better.

Well said.

 

[wvrevy]

It won't satisfy his critics; only the public at large who know that he is a good and caring president.

Aren't all you other critics glad that we have Dawn here to speak for us ?

Frankly, I'm impressed. Maybe President frat boy is growing up after all. Congratulations, George...First "presidential" thing I've seen out of that office in WAY too long.

 

[septbride2002]

Wow. I must admitt that I am shocked.
I also don't believe the fault lies in the federal government alone.
However there always seems to be people who can't help but get their digs in no matter what. I'm looking at you Dawn!

~Amanda