Bush Hammers Rebuilding Message
Pitching In Along Gulf Coast, President Says He's Heartened By Spirit
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Play CBS Video Video Rebuilding Slidell, La. "The Early Show's" Harry Smith discussed the impact of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it wrought with Larry Hess, the fire chief of Slidell, La.
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Video Post-Katrina In Slidell, La. Harry Smith spoke with St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis about the post-Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts in Slidell, La.
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Video Bush Comments On Earthquake CBS News RAW: President Bush promised U.S. support to help the victims of the Pakistan earthquake in the form of cash and eight helicopters to aid with rescue operations.
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President Bush lends a hand at a Habitat for Humanity building project being taped for a morning televsion show, in Covington, La., Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005. (AP)
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President Bush poses for a photo with volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity building project in Covington, La., Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005. (AP)
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President Bush arrives in New Orleans at the U.S. Naval Air Station for a two-day visit to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, Oct. 10, 2005. (AP)
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A truck still hung up in a tree after Hurricane Katrina near Empire, La., Oct. 10, 2005. Clean up is progressing slowly south of New Orleans. (AP)
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President Bush meets with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, left, and Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad Allen, right, the head of the federal government's Hurricane Katrina relief operation, in New Orleans. (AP)
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Interactive Bush Presidency The president's agenda, plus facts, figures, major events and key personalities.
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Special Report Gulf Coast Disaster Complete coverage of the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast, including anniversary coverage.
In an interview Tuesday, Mr. Bush rejected criticism from Democrats that his visits — this was his eighth — were largely for publicity and that he lacks a coherent reconstruction plan.
"I don't think Washington ought to dictate to New Orleans how to rebuild," he said. President Bush said he had told New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin that "we will support the plan that you develop."
Of his Supreme Court selection, Mr. Bush was asked about growing criticism from the political right that Miers lacks proven conservative credentials.
"My answer is Harriet Miers is going to be confirmed and people will get to see why I put her on the bench," he said. Mrs. Bush was asked if she shared her husband's conviction. "Absolutely. Absolutely," she said.
Asked if she believed some of the criticism reflected possible sexism, she responded: "I think that's possible."
On other subjects, President Bush:
President Bush was asked about criticism by some Democrats that while Iraqis were not required to repay money they have received from Washington, hurricane victims were required to just that recent relief legislation passed by Congress.
"What Congress has said is, you'll have five years to repay plus an additional five years to repay. And so I think it's the kind of package that Congress was comfortable with giving and I was happy to sign it," Mr. Bush said.
Mrs. Bush was asked how her husband was holding up personally under the strains of recent major crises and setbacks. But before she could answer, Mr. Bush interjected: "He can barely stand. He's about to drop on the spot."
Laughing, Mrs. Bush said: "He's doing great. He's got big broad shoulders."
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Author Thomas Friedman on Obama's Afghanistan plan and the war on terror.
