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| ABC/WaPo Poll: Bush Not Taking Brunt of Katrina Criticism |
| 2005-09-04 |
| and we know about ABC/WaPo polls are always negative for Bush Hurricane Preparedness Is Faulted; Fewer Blame Bush for Problems Americans are broadly critical of government preparedness in the Hurricane Katrina disaster — but far fewer take George W. Bush personally to task for the problems, and public anger about the response is less widespread than some critics would suggest. In an event that clearly has gripped the nation — 91 percent of Americans are paying close attention — hopefulness far outweighs discontent about the slow-starting rescue. And as in so many politically charged issues in this country, partisanship holds great sway in views of the president's performance. The most critical views cross jurisdictions: Two-thirds in this ABC News/Washington Post poll say the federal government should have been better prepared to deal with a storm this size, and three-quarters say state and local governments in the affected areas likewise were insufficiently prepared. he most critical views cross jurisdictions: Two-thirds in this ABC News/Washington Post poll say the federal government should have been better prepared to deal with a storm this size, and three-quarters say state and local governments in the affected areas likewise were insufficiently prepared. Views of Hurricane Response Yes No Federal government adequately prepared? 31% 67% State/local government adequately prepared? 24 75 Blame Bush? 44 55 Other evaluations are divided. Forty-six percent of Americans approve of Bush's handling of the crisis, while 47 percent disapprove. That compares poorly with Bush's 91 percent approval rating for his performance in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but it's far from the broad discontent expressed by critics of the initial days of the hurricane response. (It also almost exactly matches Bush's overall job approval rating, 45 percent, in an ABC/Post poll a week ago.) Similarly, 48 percent give a positive rating to the federal government's response overall, compared with 51 percent who rate it negatively — another split view, not a broadly critical one. When it gets to specifics, however, most ratings are worse: Majorities ranging from 56 to 79 percent express criticism of federal efforts at delivering food and water, evacuating displaced people, controlling looting and (especially) dealing with the price of gasoline. In just one specific area — conducting search and rescue operations — do most, 58 percent, give the government positive marks. snip |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #13 unfortunately I've been around a bunch of bozos who are screwing their eyes really tight and drinking the kool aid being served by the LA gov and the NO mayor. don't count your attitude polls yet, I'm afraid |
| Posted by: Omerens Omaigum2983 2005-09-04 22:06 |
#12 ABC/WaPo Poll: Bush Not Taking Brunt of Katrina CriticismAwwwwww. Ain't that just too bad. :-D Better luck next time, you worthless losers. I know you'll keep trying. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2005-09-04 20:26 |
| #11 Ah okay, a pickup and delivery truck. P&D truck. Got it. |
| Posted by: Mona Gorilla 2005-09-04 18:46 |
| #10 the press won't go where the shots are being fired. Troops should be under shoot-to-kill orders when fired upon. Fox reported that 5 ACOE contractors were killed because they were mistaken (and armed) by nat'l guard troops....shit happens |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-09-04 18:31 |
| #9 Local law enforcement bugging out. Locals taking shots at people bringing in aid. How soon till the press announces that it's a QUAGMIRE. |
| Posted by: DMFD 2005-09-04 18:04 |
| #8 no pup-and-trucks |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-09-04 18:03 |
| #7 MG: Short truck? What's that? Like a P&D truck? Commenter: I run 26,000# although weight restrictions were removed for disaster relief. When I went in I was hitting about 34,000#. Six wheels at 24' vs eighteen at 48/53' and 34k vs 80k. That's a 6-wheeler vs an 18-wheeler - a 17-ton load vs a 40-ton load. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-09-04 17:38 |
| #6 Short truck? What's that? Like a P&D truck? |
| Posted by: Mona Gorilla 2005-09-04 17:31 |
| #5 A guy working on recovery efforts describes the size of the undertaking. Bottom line is that there is no way this could have proceeded faster, unless we want to keep large numbers of men and quantities of equipment on standby for every major city. We are talking really big dollars here - equipment needs to be maintained and kept ready, and men need to be paid - all for a once in 100 years event. I went in Jason. Hauled a half dozen generators and five 50 gal fuel drums to run them. Plus two drums I needed to increase my range in order to make the end destination. No fuel was available closer than Tuscaloosa coming in from the east (Atlanta area). I run a short truck and am normally an expediter. My niche is delivering to job sites. I run 26,000# although weight restrictions were removed for disaster relief. When I went in I was hitting about 34,000#. Six wheels at 24' vs eighteen at 48/53' and 34k vs 80k. It took me 42 hours to run just south of Baton Rouge coming in from Meridian, MS to the north. I had nothing left to give at the completion of one run and was asked repeatedly to run again. A human body can only do so much. Short trucks are the answer though. This is the tenth disaster aid run I've made in only the last two years. Going in with a road crew with chainsaws takes time and a whole lot of labor. There are just simply not many rigs like mine around. You can forget trying to pull a trailer into some of those areas. It won't happen. You have to pipe out your exhaust and run two granny gears just to poke through. It's a nightmare but one desperately worth facing. Command posts and comm run on power. It is critical to supply that power and you never know where it's going to be needed. We had quite a few short trucks running. Rollbacks (car haulers/tow trucks) couldn't make the run unless they were full size (13 ton FL 70s, KW T-300s, etc.). Plus there is a problem with securing loads on slick aluminum beds. Two tried to run with me and had to turn back. They were simply too low to the ground. Two others in the 33k 26' class made it through. One of my cousins came over from the west side of Baton Rouge in his rig like mine and ran in my stead for a second run. The sheer logistics of the situation was a nightmare! It'd be nice to have a fleet of short trucks just sitting around waiting on disasters to strike like I hear some idiots wanting to have. Shoot, I'll take that gig if the pay is equal to what I make now. Think the taxpayers would pay me to sit around and wait on Cat 4 storms to roll through? heh! All of a sudden we've got all these logistics experts in the media and in Congress. Sounds like the MSM and their ability to cover the military properly huh? Yep! Lots of brand new experts out there in the press and general populace! :-o I would like to take one of these experts in one time though. Nothing like A 23 Stihl to give them a real education! :-) |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-09-04 17:20 |
| #4 S: The media did a dis-service to the people of NO by pushing the violence so strongly. More than one person I know had been more than willing to take a person or family in for the duration, but after watching and listening to the continued reports of the violence, each has changed their minds. I understand that the non-criminal elements of the refugees would have benefitted from less coverage of the looting. But coverage of the looting was genuinely news you could use. When you think about whether or not to let complete strangers into your home, you need to have a good feel for the negative outcomes that could flow from that decision. The looting coverage provided some of that feel. People who are going to be hosting refugees will at least be psychologically prepared for any contingencies. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-09-04 17:01 |
| #3 The media did a dis-service to the people of NO by pushing the violence so strongly. More than one person I know had been more than willing to take a person or family in for the duration, but after watching and listening to the continued reports of the violence, each has changed their minds. And I'm in Texas, that is welcoming with opening arm. We are all giving what is being requested, but now, not too inclined to welcome folks into our homes. There are lots doing that, but there could have been far more willing, without question. And did you see on Fox in Lubbock, with people deplaning, the numbers of police folks, and the screening being done before allowing them to get on the bus? Including at least one dog sniffing. |
| Posted by: Sherry 2005-09-04 16:48 |
| #2 ZF, couldn't agree more. While $10 billion is ready to come out of the government for Katrina relief with almost no questions asked, it will be interesting to hear how many questions get asked about NO rebuilding appropriations. I think somebody, especialy Mayor Naggin, has shot themselves in the foot. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2005-09-04 16:14 |
| #1 I think the sympathy meter hit zero when broadcasters showed images of looters running around picking up TV sets. I suspect broadcasters wanted to play this up as an example of what society's inhumanity to man will do to his morals, but the viewing audience's interpretation was that the inhabitants of NO are the scum of the earth. More and more, the blame is going to be directed where it properly belongs - Louisiana's criminals and politicians (but I repeat myself). |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-09-04 15:33 |