Tornado (and Iraq) politics

Posted: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 12:51 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, States, Security

From NBC's Andrew Merten and Kelly O'Donnell
Echoing an earlier complaint by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D), Kansas state Sen. Donald Betts (D) argued that National Guard shortages -- due to their deployments to Iraq -- have crippled the tornado recovery effort in his state. “My hope is that the federal government really looks at these issues, or the president really looks at this tragedy and understands how important it is that our equipment and National Guard troops are secured back at home,” he said in a conference call sponsored by an antiwar group. Jane Bullock, former chief of staff to the director of FEMA during the Clinton Administration, added in the call. “We’re going to be in very bad shape as we enter spring flooding and then hurricane season,” without sufficient Guard troops currently stationed throughout the country.

White House press secretary Tony Snow responded to the criticisms that the depleted National Guard has made recovery in Kansas more difficult. Snow said the White House is "eager to provide what Kansas needs, but also you have to go through a process of making the request first." More Snow: "I think its important to try to work cooperatively here. This is not as attempt to make a political issue out of it but you do have to make the point that … there are in fact, things that you have to go through that again is part of the standard procedure for any governor."

President Bush plans to visit Greensburg, KS tomorrow.

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Comments

Gee, will they get as much help as the folks with Katrina damage?

p. russell west hollywood ca (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:03 PM)

tony tries to change subject from lack of nat. guard at home to take care of emergencies. If guard was home there would be no need to request from bush. Adequate nat. guard troops at home would be taking care of business yesterday but they aren't home so kansas suffers and repubs act like nothing is wrong shades of katrina.

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:08 PM)

Snow needs to tell the truth once in a while. We will really be in a mess if there is a national disaster. Oh well, I guess all the friends of Bush can go in their bunkers!!

Connie, Tn. (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:18 PM)

Here is a statement from the National Gaurd Bureau: “Currently, the Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available, 60 percent of its Army Guard dual-use equipment on hand, and more than 85 percent of its Air Guard equipment on hand, said Randal Noller, public affairs officer for the National Guard Bureau. Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is a national partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance during governor or federally declared emergencies, Kansas has more than 400,000 Guardsmen available to it, he pointed out. However, Kansas has not yet requested assistance from other states.” I'm sure the media will ignore this and focus instead on trying to blame yet another thing on the War in Iraq, the weather. I feel for the people in Kansas and I hope the recovery goes well but I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't be politicizing this tragedy, yet.

Ryan, Michigan (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:20 PM)

Tony Snow should know by now that it is political when it comes to protecting the citizenry of our country - especially during disasters. That's one main reason we elect a federal government! Instead of being honest and acknowledging that Iraq has downgraded our homeland security and services, he falls back into the "fill out the form and get in line" mode. What are the odds now that the Bush negative approval rating breaks tricky Dick's record?

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:29 PM)

Connie - I disagree that Snow should tell the truth once in a while. It would just cause lots of confusiion. As it is, knowing that he lies all the time makes it simple just to know the truth is the opposite. It's about as reliable as if he told the truth all the time.

JIrby, Colorado (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:36 PM)

ryan from michigan, here's a little balance: the kansas adjutant general, in charge of the kansas national guard, Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting has been saying the same thing as sebelius since April. he would know better than Tony Snow or Sam Brownback. http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3615556p-12913616c.html Furthermore, John Goheen, Dir of Communications Dept for the National Guard Association of the US Agrees with Sebelius. http://www.kansas.com/233/story/64524.html Other Governors from both parties have echoed Sebelius' Sentiment: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/27/politics/27govs.html?ex=1298696400&en=a7ec19f699d89f54&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Finally, Tony Snow claims "sebelius didn't ask", but complaints about shortages came well before this tornado. a. Sebelius wrote to rumsfeld in Dec. 2005 about the shortages. She also asked president bush in person (In January 2006) about national guard shortfalls http://www.kansas.com/233/story/64524.html b. Sebelius complained in February of this year about continued shortages http://www.accesskansas.org/ksadjutantgeneral/News%20Releases/2007/Gov%2002-27-07.htm

Matthew, Kansas (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:48 PM)

I already posted on this at more length under a previous entry but I've a question that bears repeating here: Wouldn't it make better sense for states in Tornado Alley, such as Kansas, and coastal states, such as Louisiana, to be able to keep their Guard troops and equipment at home, during their respective storm seasons? Our current system is a new disaster waiting to happen--and there are plenty of other states either less subject or not subject to such storms that can fill the slack.

Olivia (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:50 PM)

I'm with Ryan on this one,doesn't look like there is a shortage of resources in Kansas and if there is nearby states would be able to take up the slack,and he did explain why the weathers been so lousy here lately,it's the police action in iraq.

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 2:33 PM)

Tony Snow is right, it is the fault of those stupid governors who don't know how to properly dot an "i" and cross a "t" -- send them all to remedial red tape school. Until they follow proper procedures they should not expect help from the federal government. (tongue firmly in cheek)

Russell in Maryland (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 3:21 PM)

From what we have thus far seen,the federal response to the disaster has been far more coordinated and rapid than that of the criticized KATRINA aftermath.Federal assets were in Greensburg less than 24 hours after the tornado hit.FEMA cites over 15,000 meals,15,000 gallons of water,three Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers,with adjunct personnel being sent out to all shelters in order to commence claims.''Brownie''is no longer in charge.Paulison,the new FEMA director, was in Greensburg by May 06,to inspect damage and order up more assistance.From what we can so far see,the response has been as rapid as one could have hoped for.Food,water,clothing,shelter,medical,clerical,insurance,state and federal assistances are now in place.

Lee Holmes (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 3:23 PM)

Let rename the National Guard to the International Guard.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 3:25 PM)

Well it's a good thing the democrats who claim they can control the weather will be taking over soon.

zzzzzzzzzzz (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 4:05 PM)

Per Lee and Russell--Maybe FEMA really did a "heckuva job" this time--but the "International Guard" didn't.

Olivia (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 4:35 PM)

Olivia ~ "I already posted on this at more length under a previous entry but I've a question that bears repeating here: Wouldn't it make better sense for states in Tornado Alley, such as Kansas, and coastal states, such as Louisiana, to be able to keep their Guard troops and equipment at home, during their respective storm seasons? Our current system is a new disaster waiting to happen--and there are plenty of other states either less subject or not subject to such storms that can fill the slack." All states have the possibility of a disaster: earthquakes, volcanos, tornados, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, to name a few. With this in mind, ALL the National Guard should be brought home to serve their home state.

Barbara, TN (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 11:04 PM)

Stop the deployment of the Kansas National Guard to Kosovo!!!

zzzzzzz (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 8:30 AM)

I have a question. I see that ol' Deadeye Dick "slipped" unnanounced into Iraq this morning again. If their bloody surge is working so damn well, why do all the administration hacks have to slip in unannounced every time? I thought Baghdad was safe now. Heck, even John McCain walked safely thru downtown. What a bunch of liars and hypocrits!

John D, Huntsville, Al (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 8:40 AM)

Barbara--That would make the best sense of all.

Olivia (Sent Wednesday, May 09, 2007 9:11 AM)

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