From: jswitzer@afit.af.mil (Chip Switzer)
Subject: Re: Why Bush whould/will burn for the delay in florida
Organization: Air Force Institute of Technology
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 18:02:12 GMT


alex@engr3.umbc.edu (alex) writes:

>I was totally amazed that there was a delay in getting federal aid to
>florida, and it's convinced me that GHWB is flat out incompetant.

I can't say that I'm suprised to see Bush's opponents jumping in on a
catastrophe to try to make him look bad.  As Clinton said, "I don't
want to play pollitics with hurricanes, and I don't want to second
guess the president, BUT, I think this should be investigated..."

>Here's what I figured would happen:
>	Hurricane Andrew is on its way to florida. GHWB makes sure that
>	the pentagon is ready to act on a moments notice.

You are suffering from a misconception here.  The Pentagon was created
to fight wars--not hurricanes.  FEMA was set up to take care of 
emergencies such as this.  Bush did in fact make sure FEMA was on top
of the entire affair.  They were there before the hurricane even hit.
The governor has his own National Guard units if any extraordinary
operations are necessary.  You don't see any federal troops in Louisiana
do you?  If they ever do go, it will be because the governor asked for
them--not becuase that is SOP for hurricane relief.

>	Andrew hits. Florida is devistated. GHWB interrupts his campaign
>	and flies to the disaster area immediately, gathering damage info
>	as it comes in. Arriving in florida, GHWB shows massive concern
>	for the suffering, and promises immediate federal troops to 
>	help out.

This he did.  Once it was apparent that the emergency may be of record
proportions, he offered the military's help.  And nothing is "immediate"
when it comes to logistics in the military.  It can take a week to get a
fully functioning tent-city up and running, and that's once all the 
supplies *get* there.  Moving all that stuff is not a trivial operation.

>	As soon as the damage reports are coherent, GHWB is on the phone
>	to the pentagon, dictating orders. Responsibility is delegated,
>	and troops begin to trickle in on monday night, in time for the
>	11pm news, if possible.

Wrong.  He was waiting by the phone for the governor to ask for the
military's help, if he needed it--not a forgone conclusion at the time.

>	GHWB circles through on wednesday, making sure that everything is
>	okey-dokey, shopwing his concern, and leaving his phone number in
>	case they need more help.

>	GHWB casually mentions his concern for florida at a few news 
>	conferences, and sucessfully demonstrates to the american people
>	that he is "The Domestic President (TM)".

>I was amazied that this didn't happen. GHWBs strongest liability is that
>he is perceived as being uncaring about domestic issues. The disaster
>was a made for TV oppertunity to get scads of great publicity on his most
>problematic issue. If GHWB, a career politition, is so out of touch that 
>he can't grasp this, he diserves to be roasted on an open fire.

And the Democrats' strongest weapon is that Bush is perceived not to care
about domestic issues.  Do you think they are going to play fair and 
give him credit where it is due?  I think not.  With a little help from
the media they can keep this alleged bungle going for weeks.  Lets have
a congressional investigation...

>This gaff could cost the GOP florida, a major player with many electorial
>votes, and GHWB has noone to blame but himself.

Or maybe Florida will appreciate the help and give Bush the credit he
deserves.  After all, they don't have access to many TVs in the area.
-- 

Chip Switzer                            "A witty saying proves nothing." 
jswitzer@afit.af.mil                              -- Voltaire 
Newsgroups: alt.politics.bush,alt.politics.elections,alt.politics.clinton