More Brown

Talking Points Memo:

I've been getting emails from folks on the inside at FEMA, people who worked with him and observed him firsthand when he was leading the agency.

The verdict seems pretty clear: None of them thought he was qualified for the position. But each also had the clear impression that he took his job seriously, learned a lot while he was there and -- perhaps most importantly -- was a big improvement over Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's fixer whom he succeeded as head of the agency.

If there's an online reevaluation of the guy, the new view seems one shared by those who were there as the story unfolded.

FireDogLake:

I have no knowledge of what actually happened but the push to rehabilitate Brown does have, at moments, something of an organized feel (particularly the superb timing). And right now, Brown has the ability to do what no other person can -- keep Bush's Katrina inadequacies in the headlines, kicking him when he's down and damaging his poll numbers such that it both paralyzes him and emboldens his opponents.

Atrios:

I think it's very simple. There have been a parade of former Bushies who, long after they have an ability to make a difference, tepidly criticize the administration to the applause of "sensible" liberals everywhere. Not one of them came forward when it mattered. Brownie could've gotten on TV and said "I'm trying to help the people of New Orleans and all President Bush wants to do is schedule a photo op." He didn't. Not one of these people have had the courage to do the right thing when it mattered.

Ted (yes, our own Ted, from the comments below):

Just because Brownie was prepared and engaged BEFORE the disaster hit doesn't mean he handled things correctly DURING and AFTER the disaster. For all we know he was off doing a heck of a job golfing. And none of the video I saw proved he was actually competent or knowledgeable in disaster management. To me Brownie just comes across as more realistic about the scope of the looming catastrophe than President Bubble Boy.

Personally, I am find the rehabilitation of Michael Brown fascinating. Which must be obvious to you folks since this is my third post about it. I'm still undecided about my Brown feelings. Right now I'm leaning toward crony-frat-boy who at least tried to fix things.

Regarding the Katrina response, however, let me say this: There is plenty of blame to go around. My Katrina anger stems not from the preparedness before, or the immediate response after. My anger stems from the second day, the third day, the fourth day, when no one in the federal government got off their bloated asses to help the people at the convention center and the Superdome. That's where Bush is solely at fault for being disengaged and that's where the distinction should always be made. The Left and Right can quibble about "breeched" levees and "topped" levees, but the bottom line is that the resources only the federal government could provide were MIA in the days that followed. People died, and people suffered, because the commander-in-chief was playing his guitar.