Someone on another thread pointed out what Bush is doing that is very smart. What is happening is that Reconstruction (ahem...) will be conducted by the National Government, headed as it is by Republicans. Don't be terribly angry with what Bumiller is writing today. She's describing the state of play today. Bush is interested in the state of play for 2006 and 2008. As such he's done a curious thing. He knows that the Donks can't help but cast Mayor Nagin into the wilderness because of his previous support of Bobby Jindal. He is quite craftily making an ally of the Mayor, and an enemy of Governor Deer In Headlights. As the facts begin to come to light about what really happened, Governor Deer In Headlights will look less attractive as time goes by, as will her ally, Senator Landrieu. Nagin, on the other hand, is black and fiery, and will naturally encourage a "rallying around the beleagured black politician" effect that has historically occurred among black voters (to wit: Adam Clayton Powell in the '60's and Alcee Hastings in the '80's).
Bush picks his allies and enemies well. He will come out on top and the media will not understand why. Strangely enough, Black America will notice that Republicans are directing their anger less at Mayor Nagin and more at Governor Deer In Headlights (that's her Tribal Name, by the way...).
I know that Nagin is a loudmouth with competency questions, but Bush has figured out that he has his uses.
Be Seeing You,
Chris