Total, unequivocal failure on so many levels. Of course there's plenty of blame to go around to national, local, and state governments as well, and it was an act of God. But this list pertains to Bush himself... shopping in San Diego or visiting friends or whatever it was? Come on. And Barbara Bush's comments regarding the wonders of The Astrodome? Clueless, but I would suggest that no one with an ounce of intelligence should be surprised at the callous and naive remarks the aristocrats and old money, mover and shaker types make...It's doubtful that it would've taken him so long to get to an area full of Godfearing, true blue, flagwaving, Americans- well off ones, read whites with money and property. Like Orange County or some other, might as well be a fairytale setting. Don't let anyone tell you we live in a classless, colorblind, society- that's a crock...

You'd think,after 9/11,and all of their talk about and spending of billions on "homeland Security" that there would have been well-equipped,crackerjack teams ready for ANY disaster on US soil.Instead,we watched people dying of dehydration on rooftops.Whether it was a hurricane or a terrorist attack,the response was inexcusable.

Awww come on. Brownie did a heck of a job!

The dubya-apoligists are right- president gump isn't to blame (you think hurricane science makes sense to a fan of intelligent design? I mean really, what consciousness 'designed' the storm?) The president was free-and-clear until be swore up-and-down that he didn't know. . .but the released tape sheds a little blame on a president who hates to be inconvenienced with the facts once his little mind is made up.

Obviously the levees didn't break because of George W. Bush, but as President I believe he DID respond 24-48 hrs too late...yes, he should've been down there at the first sign of chaos, though again, he DID have "a few" other things on his rader, and it obviously comprimised his ability to deal with a domestic emergency of this nature. However, it is clear that numerous levels of gov't are also to blame for their lack of preparation/response - evidently there's plenty of blame to go around on this one.

This was a state of Louisiana problem and a Ray "chocolate" Nagin mismanagement. Local and State officials did a poor job, the Feds were there after the local authorities should have acted.

I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses for Bush (or Brownie) but Katrina brought an unprecedented level of devastation to a large metro area. If you're sure you want to absolve mayors, governors, first responders and National Guard troops from all responsibility immediately after a catastrophe, you'll get what you deserve (and apparently want): a partisan bloodbath and criticism that sticks (or appears to stick) to your target.

Keep in mind, the responsibility to prevent death or discomfort after a natural disaster didn't used to fall on the shoulders of the president. Had FEMA been around for the San Francisco earthquake or the Johnstown flood, or the Chicago fire, not many more people would have survived. But, are you sure you want to absolve all of the local mayors, governors and other leaders of their duty to lead in times of crisis? If Nagin gets a pass from you but Bush is an idiot, aren't you absolving your local officials of any such responsibility, confident that you'll blame Bush for the entire fiasco?

A day late and a dollar short.Slow and confused response was not his finest hour.I do not think it was racism,more classism(poor whites would have been ignored as well).

The tipping point of Bush's presidency. Probably not directly his fault, but certainly the cavalier way in which he has appointed politically friendly folks without qualification for important jobs came back to bite him on this one.

"You're doing a great job, Brownie," is probably one that GWB would take back.