Campbell Brown Rips Bush For Katrina Remarks (VIDEO)

Campbell Brown cut through George Bush's bull Monday night, taking the President to task for his remarks about Hurricane Katrina during his farewell press conference.

Brown "was taken aback" with Bush's statements defending his administration's Katrina response, statements she described as "almost entirely disconnected still from what really happened."

"Don't tell me the federal response was slow," Bush said, "when there was 30,000 people pulled off roods right after the storm passed."

"Many people will disagree over many aspects of the Bush legacy," Brown said. "But on the government's handling of Katrina? It is impossible to challenge what so many of us witnessed firsthand, what the entire country witnessed through the images on our television screens day and night.

"Mr. President, you cannot pat yourself on the back for that one," she then said. "We will debate the war in Iraq, debate national security, the economy, and the rest of your legacy. Those debates will continue for years to come. But on how you handled Katrina, there is no debate."

Watch:

Comments

[GeorgeP922]

If we are going to get the daily CNN advertisement, at least put some commentary.

This is a news site? RIght?

[PatMac]

Another disaster this country experienced, putting Bush in office. Not once but Twice.

[USA2Sense]

GWB - New Address - House warming gift......­....Pass it on........­.....

Send shoes - send shoes - send shoes -

George W. Bush
10141 Daria Place
Dallas, TX 95229

[stayinsouth1981]

Just in case you are one of the people who came down here, gave your time, your dollars or sent supplies. Thank you for your assistance and show of love for your fellow citizens. INDIVIDUALS, churches and religious organizations along with communities came together to assist and are still here working. Thank you. We in turn, will do what we can when and if your area ever needs our help.

[ThermoChemist]

It's truly unfathomable that people STILL have this strange compulsion to come to Dubya's
defense. The reasons (excuses?) are LAME...!

[1] "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees," -- Dubya [riigghhtt!]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/23/AR2006012301711.html

Sound familiar (!?!)
-- Iraqi reaction to an occupation of their country? He said he had no idea.
-- 9/11...att­acks...air­planes...? He just couldn't have possibly imagined such a thing (!)

[2] "...never received a formal request for assistance until it was too late" [riigghhtt!]
http://thinkprogress.org/katrina-timeline/

August 27
[a] GOV. BLANCO ASKS BUSH TO DECLARE FEDERAL STATE OF EMERGENCY

[b] FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARED, DHS AND FEMA GIVEN FULL AUTHORITY TO RESPOND TO KATRINA:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html

[c] "...hamper­ed by the law" [riigghhtt!]

Dubya...re­spective of "the law"..? Issuing a record number of signing statements­..? FISA..? Redefining torture...­"enemy combatants­"..? "The Law" didn't stop previous President's from taking appropriate / timely measures..­.!

[3] Previous Presidents' hurricane responses were "God-like" compared to Dubya.

http://tapes.millercenter.virginia.edu/exhibit/lbj-and-response-hurricane-betsy
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/02/opinion/pollpositions/main4407813.shtml
http://www.gwjokes.com/jokes/hurricanes.php [Dubya -- "laughable"]

They IMMEDIATELY acted and returned to formally address the crisis. [Dubya: "lowkey" for days; stayed on vacation; and decided to make an appearance days later]

[johnnyjust]

He's right, he should have immediately pushed aside the obviously incompetent Democratic Governor of Louisiana and Democratic Mayor of New Orleans.

There ineptitude only caused more damage.

[Heavy]

It was FEMA's responsibility genius. But keep pretending that Bush is ok if it makes you feel better.

[ICanHasDemocracy]

kind of tough to call in the National Guard to help WHEN THEY WERE IN IRAQ.

That change "of the Guard" was enabled by Bush.

[sammyscout]

Hey c'mon give credit where its due. Bush did alot on time for Katrina. Like he did not declare war on new orleans and bomb the crap out of them right after the hurricane. I mean, he did have the power to do that. but he chose not to. And he chose not to right then. Did you see a 'mission accomplished' banner for N. Orleans. Thats another thing he did, he decided at the right time to not do a mission accomplished baaner and para landing at new orleans. Cmon people what more do you want? Be reasonable

[whatevahs]

Cant wait to see how Obama handles a national crisis like this. Then we'll see if he follows federal mandate like Bush did or makes up rules as he goes along.

[JessWonderin]

"follows federal mandates"????

oh, yea . . . the "mandate" part about interrupting vacations or campaign stops during a crisis? Or the "mandate" that requires federal agencies to respond in a cohesive manner . . . or maybe the "mandate" that requires something more than photo-op walk through . . . .

[ICanHasDemocracy]

Heckova post whatevahs. Go back to COD 5 or LFD and let teh adults deal with reality.

[Heavy]

He won't appoint a lawyer with no disaster relief management experience to head the agency. My god where do they get you people?

[stayinsouth1981]

HOPE.. just where do they get these people? They cleaned house and alienated anyone who was in the know. My husband was disaster director for the second most densely populated country in our state during several hurricanes. That experience was gained through years of volunteer work and years of hands-on work with state, local and federal agencies. If the Menonites can get it right, don't you think DC could at least get it HALF RIGHT?

[Emlyn]

I WILL ALWAYS BLAME BUSH AND HIS ADMINISTRATION FOR WHAT THEY DIDN'T DO FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS. IT WAS A NATIONAL DISGRACE THAT OUR RICH COUNTRY COULD NOT TAKE CARE OF ITS OWN PEOPLE IN A DISASTER. IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR THOSE BRAVE HELIOCOPTER PILOTS THAT RESCUED SO MANY PEOPLE OFF ROOTTOPS, MORE PEOPLE IN NEW ORLEANS WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD. GOD BLESS THEM.

[bluesclues]

I don't know, who can blame the guy for being defensive? I'm sure he has his regrets about alot of stuff but what's done is done anyone can sit in their chair and bloviate people've got to move on and learn from the past. What got me was the damn walls, the levees why does it always take a disaster to get things done? They're still not right. But I don't think moaning&groaning about Bush all of the time's getting anything done either, we elected him..after 9/11 everybody loved him but it's history now

[ceasespin]

vibrant democracy requires a vigilant press - make it happen at http://FixNewsNow.org

[Truth4Voters]

CNN, where were you the last 8 years. Oh, that's right, you were in the GOP's right back pocket.

[AlexNYC]

If Bush had anything to do over in regards to Kartina, it would be to not do the fly-over photo-op? It was all about the impression he gave regarding his photo-op? Wow! How about the days he spent continuing his vacation while people were drowning and stuck on roofs? How about Condi Rice shopping and attending musical plays? The president and the national security advisor were both clueless about the emergency situation that was transpiring, while the rest of the country and the world were watching and reading about on tv and newspapers as they are transpiring. You can bet your bottom dollar Clinton (or Gore) would have been on top of the crisis when the impending hurricane was forecast. Total disconnection from the reality of what is needed and how to get things done. It wasn't a poor decision or an oversight on the Bush Administration's part, it was apathy, as it still remain today. Only 6 more days to go Georgie!

[stayinsouth1981]

My son and brothers and I were clearing out my parents' flooded home on the Missippi Gulf Coast when we saw a Marine One or similar helo fly over. Whether it was the actual Pres' chopper and driver, we waved our middle fingers with the bird, at the bird. While the Helo Bubbas flew in a circle, we got our neighbors to spell out- "F the president" on the nearest fairway! I hope they noted that!

[den1953]

This guy is a total waste of politics he is the poster child for anyone that wants there kid not to be a president!

[JessWonderin]

Actually he is the poster child for any parent, thinking their kid is a COMPLETE failure, can take heart that they WILL get a job and make a living . . . and with the right family . . . be PRESIDENT.

[TotallyAmazed]

"... Helicopter drivers...­" ????? You just got to cringe every time this man opens his mouth to speak off the cuff. How about 'Helicopter PILOTS"? Wouldn't that be the first thing that came to your mind when trying to describe the guy/gal who FLIES a helicopter.

Maybe I'm wrong - I don't know anyone who flies a 'copter; so, if they're referred to as 'drivers' please disregard my ignorance.

[JessWonderin]

This articulate observation came from an ex-fighter plane "driver" . . . .