WA PO: "Katrina's damage lingers for Bush...many see it as his undoing"

[Human Torch]

Katrina’s damage lingers for Bush
Many, including Republican lawmakers, see storm as president’s undoing



President Bush looks out the window of Air Force One while inspecting damage from Hurricane Katrina en route to the White House on Aug. 31, 2005.

By Jonathan Weisman and Michael Abramowitz
The Washington Post
Updated: 2 hours, 17 minutes ago

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14489707/

For Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.), three images define George W. Bush's presidency: Bush throwing out the first pitch of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium, Bush with a megaphone atop the rubble of the World Trade Center -- and Bush staring out the window as Air Force One traversed the Gulf Coast thousands of feet above the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The first two images epitomize strength and resolution, the image the Bush White House likes to cultivate. But in one year's time, the last one -- of the president as aloof, out of touch, even befuddled -- all but erased the memory of the others, according to pollsters, pundits and Republican politicians who say they have suffered in the wake of the president's decline.

From the demise of his Social Security overhaul to the war in Iraq, many factors have contributed to Bush's slide in popularity in the past year. But the winds of Katrina may have been the force that finally wrenched the Bush presidency off its moorings, these observers said.

"That has always been the driving attribute of Bush -- his ability to lead -- and Katrina undermined it badly," McHenry said. "He has rebounded in one year's time from what he lost in one week's time." But, he added, "it was a long and arduous climb" -- and it is not complete.

[ixion]

1. "The first two images epitomize strength and resolution"

:eyes: :puke:

yeah. right. whatever.

[Human Torch]

3. As we all know, "Katrina was all about Bush"

...just like everything in our daily lives is all about Bush.

How's he doing in the polls? Can he ever regain his Sunny Nobility? What did he have for breakfast? Is he having fun fishing with Daddy?

Bush took a massive hit as the result of his (lack of) reaction to Katrina, and he deserved every bit of it.

Instead, we get articles mourning the good old days of his "bullhorn moment."

:patriot:

[pretzel4gore]

2. too bad american crowds wouldn't tear down the wapo and hang the ed board

who cares what these lying bastards say....they 'pretend' their context is the only legit context...bush leads nothing, never has (he can't even wipe his own arse!)
that's a fact....

[Human Torch]

4. "...the driving attribute of Bush -- his ability to lead..."

It was a real challenge to post that article without comment, but I wanted to give you folks first crack at that.

I personally feel that Bush's driving attribute is to listen to no one and always remain unaccountable, no matter how badly he screws things up.

:evilgrin:

[pretzel4gore]

6. we need to watch the pigmedia

they are very dangerous criminals, and are schemeing more mayhem every day.... thanks for posting this....

[KoKo]

5. A Repug PR Piece...in all WaPo's full glory.

An interesting read if one is a disgruntled Repug....:eyes:

[threadkillaz]

7. And every year and every hurricane will be a reminder.

nt