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?
