That's a favorite wingnut complaint against La.'s Governor Blanco during Katrina. She declared a State of Emergency, and called FEMA and the White House for help, but she failed, they say, to tell the fed honchos how many troops to send.
Fast forward to Rita. Texas' Gov. Rick Perry has seen all the problems from Katrina, is closer to the White House than ticks on a dog (or some such Dan Ratherism), yet....
Fri., Sept. 23, Pentagon Spokesman Lawrence DiRita complained that Perry had the same problem.
from
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050923/pl_afp/usweatherstorm_050923175738
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Pentagon rebuffed requests for up to 40,000 extra troops for storm duty in Louisiana and Texas, but promised to help meet the states' needs for fuel and other assistance in the face of Hurricane Rita.
Spokesmen acknowledged the Pentagon has received a written request from Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco for 15,000 additional active duty troops and another 15,000 national guards.
"The number is not very informative. What we're trying to determine is the capability that she needs," said Lawrence DiRita, the chief Pentagon spokesman.
Lieutenant General Russel Honore met with the commander of Louisiana's national guard to work out more precisely what is needed, he said.
DiRita said Texas Governor Rick Perry's request for 10,000 prepositioned active duty troops has not been received in writing.
The state's requirements were "still being developed," he said. "He has not written and said here's exactly what I need."
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The problem lies not with either governor. It lies with problems traceable to the Commander in Chief. When you've been robbed, you're not asked to tell 911 how many cop cars to send. The Pentagon and FEMA have the same access to the hurricane forecasts as anybody else. They are supposed to be the ones with the expertise.
The wingnuts, however, are not calling for the Texas governor's head, are they?