The “bubble,” unfortunately, never really bursts.
[Bush’s second trip to the disaster zone] studiously avoided the hardest-hit areas of Katrina and the itinerary all but guaranteed that he’d be met with friendly audiences. The displaced persons he met at the Bethany World Church were well cared for and for the most part grateful for their surroundings. In Poplarville, Mississippi, Bush toured a middle class neighborhood where the damage seemed minimal. Homes were intact, although many pine trees were felled. But most seemed to have hit lawns and carports rather than causing real structural damage to homes. Bush joked with Alabama Power workers who were helping to restore power to the comfortable neighborhood, which led Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to inform the crew that he had “married an Alabama girl.” The whole tone still seemed out of step with the utter destruction along the Mississippi coast and the carnage in New Orleans. Until Bush plunges headfirst into New Orleans worst-hit neighborhoods he’s going to have a hard time correcting the impression that he just doesn’t get it.
Much of Bush’s presidency has been built around keeping him away from unfriendly audiences. His campaign rallies were carefully screened and so are his policy events where he chews the fat about issues like Social Security. But that instinct surely can’t be serving him well at a time when the country feels like a collective primal scream over seeing their countrymen left suffering.
At least the Bush gang is consistent. For five years, the only skill they’ve shown unfailingly is the ability to execute flawless photo-ops.
The president can’t lead, govern, or inspire, but we can all rest easy knowing that White House photographers will always get a good picture.