Can't Win for Losing?

Is he even saying this new kick should last more than a few days? Who knows? Either way, it's a far cry from announcing a major policy shift. But the press picked up the story as if he were declaring the moral equivalent of war.

What Did Yesterday's Trip Accomplish?

Bush flew to Texas and Louisiana yesterday.

Roma Khanna and Julie Mason write in the Houston Chronicle: "Bush met for more than an hour with local officials who expressed frustration with delays in receiving basics such as food, water and fuel, and essential tools such as generators. . . .

"Jefferson County Judge Carl Griffith, who has criticized the federal response, said that officials had promised him that resources would be on the ground as soon as winds quieted but that little aid had arrived so far.

" 'The government failed in their duty to the citizens,' Griffith said after meeting with Bush at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport. 'The sad part is, this should have never happened after the wreck that occurred that was (Hurricane) Katrina.' . . .

"Port Arthur Mayor Oscar Ortiz said Federal Emergency Management Agency officials asked him for more paperwork when he requested materials to keep his community afloat.

" 'The problem with that is that I don't have a telephone, fax; I don't even have a carrier pigeon' to get it to them, he said."

So will Bush take those criticisms to heart? Will they spur him to change federal policy? The president acknowledged hearing frustration yesterday, but gave no sign that he was going to do anything differently.

This is from the text of his remarks in Texas: "Obviously, we want people to come home as quickly as possible. We want them to be able to do so in an orderly way. And when they get home, they find that there's a -- you know, as best as possible, power and water."

And this is from the text of his remarks in Louisiana: "I heard loud and clear from the parish presidents and the mayors that, you know, people are getting frustrated. And I understand that frustration. But I think it's very important to listen to the governors -- the Governor and the local folks about the conditions at home. People are working hard to get the utilities up, they're working hard to get fuel here for people. And this area is going to rebuild and it's going to grow again."

And did the locals find Bush's visit helpful?

Khanna and Mason write: "People in the area greeted Bush's visit with mixed reactions. Some were comforted by his effort to view the destruction in person. Others waited for his promises to affect their lives. . . .