Obama did the sensible thing.  He called into one of the more prominent local network affiliates and sort of wished everyone good luck and safety, as well as talking about the fact that federal leaders are aware of the situation and are ready to respond in whatever way is needed in the aftermath of the storm.  Which is really all you can do before a hurricane. 

McCain went to Mississippi.  Yeah, you know, that state that is not in any way expected to bear the brunt of the storm (I think they’re facing a Tropical Storm Warning, as opposed to a Hurricane Warning—and that’s only the very edges of coastal Mississippi, not anything like the whole state). 

Somehow I’m reminded of that time he thought Pakistan and Iraq shared a border. 

PHOTO OP: UR DOIN IT RONG

Bush is actually acting more responsible than McCain by going to Texas and dealing with any aftermath there.

I’m really afraid by looking like the pretend to care they will get some kind of bump from this.

Also scared this will be Jindal’s 9/11 and he will attempt to ride it to national prominence as long as the response is even slightly better than the one to Katrina (an extremely low bar to clear).

Noun…verb….Gustav. Wait for it in 2012.

Are they going to explain why New Orleans doesn’t have the sort of hurricane defenses that it needs, and how people have yet to get their money to rebuild in leveled areas?

No?  Really?  They maybe they should ride it out in a FEMA trailer.

I wouldn’t be too worried about Bobby “Anchor Baby” Jindal trying to turn this hurricane into his version of Rudy 9/11 stint as America’s mayor.  9/11 was a singular event - no one was expecting it (well almost no one).  Hurricanes hit the gulf coast every year, we expect a competent response from our government.  The fact that the aftermath of Katrina was so inept was a unique feature of the Bu$hco administration. 
Besides, that 9/11 thing didn’t really end up helping Rudy get any votes this primary season.

Ms. Kate - earlier today I saw a Bush press conference where he claimed that all the levees were back, and better than ever.

Not 10 minutes after seeing Jindal give a press conference where he admitted that there were major gaps in the levees and that in general they were neither where they were pre-Katrina nor where they should be for a storm of this strength, and that locals should NOT take for granted that there would be any real protection from floodwaters, whatsoever.  Even if you didn’t get water last time, and/or don’t usually get water with most hurricanes.

Why do they do this?  Why go on TV and say something that is a blatant and obvious lie, which anyone can confirm in 5 minutes by, like, fucking googling it?

This isn’t even the first time this year McCain’s done something like this.  When the floods hit here in Iowa this summer, Gov. Culver asked both candidates not to visit until the situation had settled down. The thinking was that the state didn’t want to divert resources to a candidate visit that could be better spent on flood recovery efforts. Obama stayed away; McCain didn’t, choosing the photo op instead of deferring to the Governor’s wishes.

“The fact that Sarah Palin stood where your credenza is currently smashed is cold - but charmingly down to earth! - comfort”

It’s <i>Governor Sarah Palin, asshole.

McCain: Putting McCain First.

I feel physically ill thinking about how blatantly McCain and the Republicans are politicizing this storm. McCain is positioning himself to ride this storm into a poll lead over Obama and perhaps into the White House. Sadly, the media seems perfectly content playing along and giving everyone who failed the last time this happened a big do-over.

Bush is also basically standing back and letting McCain make all the public appearances, pretty much letting the candidate play President as a campaign stunt. It is disgusting, completely obvious, yet it looks good on TV so no one will say a thing about it.

And people called Obama presumptuous for talking to big crowds in Berlin or having a seal on his airplane seat.

I was at the rally in Battle Creek tonight. He asked everyone in the crowd to do what we can to support the reliefs efforts. I get the feeling he understands that going down there is the worst thing he could do and right now his tour of the rust belt, including the economically blasted city of Detroit tomorrow, is where his attention needs to be, other than reminding people to help out.

And on a personal note, it was wonderful thing to actually see Obama and Biden speak. It was a thrill to see 16K people crammed into a minor league ball park of all races, ages, and backgrounds. Truly amazing the people Obama brings to the table and excites so fully.

The Obama campaign front page, above the fold, is all about doing actual stuff. That network of supporters has been put to use for relief efforts before.

If McCain gets rewarded for showing up with his entourage and grandstanding—heck, let’s see if he can give his acceptance speech in waders as dead dogs float by—then American politics is fucked and I’m not sure what we can do about it.

The problem with Bush’s response to Katrina wasn’t that he didn’t lash himself to a tree in the Fifth Ward and ride out the storm.  It was that he didn’t seem to be paying attention at all…

Well put. The fact that Bush can’t direct hurricane response from St. Paul kinda undermines everything said before about how he’s in charge everywhere he goes. Or else it shows they’ve learned, after seven years, that he has to also appear to be in charge.

Another plus for the Republicans:  Gustav gives Bush an excuse to not appear at the RNC.

JFD: Uh, I think you mean Commander-in-Chief of the Alaska National Guard Sarah Palin, dumbass…

Not that there is a threat, N.C. - the Russians only invade Georgia, not Alaska.

And it looks as usual like Obama has fallen into the GOP trap again…I think I heard that he will not appear at the huge union rally in St. Louis, but will go to Chicago to “moniter” Gustav…WTF?!

Why is it that Dems are so afraid they always fall for the stupid “concern troll” moves of the GOP operatives?

I think I heard that he will not appear at the huge union rally in St. Louis, but will go to Chicago to “moniter” Gustav…WTF?!

He’s not scheduled for St. Louis—he’s scheduled for Milwaukee.  He probably will go to Chicago afterwards since it’s only about 90 minutes away.  Though they are doing major construction on I-294 so the trip could take a little longer.