http://www.voicesmag.com/Archives/News/oct2005/no_support_bush_military_plan_100305.htmNo Support For Bush Military-Disaster Plan: Survey
Voices Magazine Newswire
3 October 2005
A new survey of most of the nation's governors finds almost no support for President Bush's suggestion the active duty military take the lead role in providing disaster relief operations in the United States.
USA Today reported Monday that of 38 governors who responded to its inquiry, only two said they backed the president's idea: Republican Govs. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.
"A fair question to ask is, 'If the federal government is paying the bill, should not it also be in command?'" Romney said, while Pawlenty added that federal control in an "ultra-catastrophe" could bring in relief more quickly.
But most governors were not willing to cede control of disaster relief operations, believing instead that state and local authorities had the duty and the responsibility to act first.
"Whether a governor is a Republican or Democrat, I would expect the response would be, 'Hell no,' " said Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat.
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