because, as we all know, the most important thing after you've royally fucked up and caused the deaths of a whole bunch of people is to make sure you're not blamed for it.

White House Enacts a Plan to Ease Political Damage: "

By ADAM NAGOURNEY and ANNE E. KORNBLUT
Published: September 5, 2005

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 - Under the command of President Bush's two senior political advisers, the White House rolled out a plan this weekend to contain the political damage from the administration's response to Hurricane Katrina.

It orchestrated visits by cabinet members to the region, leading up to an extraordinary return visit by Mr. Bush planned for Monday, directed administration officials not to respond to attacks from Democrats on the relief efforts, and sought to move the blame for the slow response to Louisiana state officials, according to Republicans familiar with the White House plan.