HURRICANE WASHES OUT BUSH VACATION

Looking rested, tanned and deeply saddend by the hurricane tragedy, the President leaves Air Force One

Washington (WPI) - Still stinging from criticism for waiting more than seven minutes after the attacks on 9/11 President Bush today acted quickly to act decisively. Two days after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast obliterating it and sinking New Orleans perhaps for good, the president cut short his planned 30 day vacation by two entire days.

With the estimates of fatalities reaching into the thousands the president rushed to adress all Americans. Speaking from a publicly restricted military base, Mr. Bush gushed with sympathy for the victims of the unfolding tragedy. "These are trying times for the people of these communities. We know that many are anxious to return to their homes. It's not possible at this moment," the president said standing against a backdrop of the imposing USS Ronald Reagan at the naval air station in Coronado, Calif.

The President and First Lady were able to complete their private tour of the William F. Hearst castle in San Juan Capistrano before being airlifted to the naval base.

Returning to his job three days after the start of the disaster but still, “ahead of schedule” might protect the president from criticism that he was vacationing during the crisis. The White house is concerned that the meager sacrifice of two days vacation will be seen as nothing more than a symbolic gesture to hurricane victims.

“The man works hard, he’s told us that a hundred times!” defended Senate Majority leader Tom Delay. “The President is sensitive to how bad he looked after 9/11. It took more than two weeks for him to recover and appear like a decisive leader. I’m grateful he listened to our advice this time. He can make those days up later.”

It is projected that Bush will visit the ravaged region by week's end, or sometime in the near future. Details on that trip were in flux because “The White House wants to make sure a presidential tour would not disrupt the relief and response efforts,” said Scott McCellen.

“It sucks a vast amount of resources from a community when the President visits. The press has to be called in and managed. Police forces commandeered, roads shut down, municipal buildings virtually held hostage for days. It can be very disruptive, especially in a disaster area.” he explained.

McCellen said a tentative travel itinerary was being established. “First the President will check on the condition of the oil platforms; he’ll take a look by helicopter at the damage inflicted on the area’s casinos and then meet with a coalition of GOP fund-raisers and lobbyists from Louisiana and Mississippi, before heading back to the White House.”

The storm also closed oil platforms and pipelines in the Gulf Coast. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said Wednesday that the administration will release oil from the federal petroleum reserves to help refiners affected by the hurricane.

“Refiners have been hit terribly hard by this disaster but we must be very cautious about the process,” Bodman said. “Crude prices are driven by the free market and we don’t want a ‘Big Government’ intervention to disturb that. No matter what the crisis we must keep our eye on the policy ball." Joking he added, "Texas crude is just starting to become profitable again!”