Bush, Hurricane Katrina and "The Neo Deal"

Everyone is talking about what may become the most important speech in George W. Bush's presidency. We've been struggling to find a local connection, but the truth is that this is a national story that significantly effects all of us. It is a speech most people on both sides of the political coin never thought Bush would make. An outright call for big government from a Republican President that, while short on specifics, is intended to help the poor...at least the poor of the gulf coast. As Slate notes from the New York Times article, it isn't a national war on poverty.

Local blogger and conservative, Michael Bowen, says, "I'd say the President struck the right chord, even though I certainly heard the most emotional part of the evening's speech. But that's fine. He can be depended upon to do the right thing, it's only too bad people hate him for it." While New York-based Amy's Robot says, slow down, cowboy.

LAist is very curious to see how George Bush's "Neo-Deal" compares to FDR's "New Deal" over time. Matt Szabo, though, just wants to know where the President got that awful shirt?

Update: In more awful shirt news, Low Culture points out that not only is it oversized, it's sweaty, too. We need more ventilated fabrics, Mr. President.