Why did Bush request a federal takeover of NOLA?

[John Doe II]

Hope this hasn't been posted. I just stumbled over this:

Behind the scenes, a power struggle emerged, as federal officials tried to wrest authority from Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (D). Shortly before midnight Friday, the Bush administration sent her a proposed legal memorandum asking her to request a federal takeover of the evacuation of New Orleans, a source within the state's emergency operations center said Saturday.

The administration sought unified control over all local police and state National Guard units reporting to the governor. Louisiana officials rejected the request after talks throughout the night, concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law. Some officials in the state suspected a political motive behind the request. "Quite frankly, if they'd been able to pull off taking it away from the locals, they then could have blamed everything on the locals," said the source, who does not have the authority to speak publicly.

A senior administration official said that Bush has clear legal authority to federalize National Guard units to quell civil disturbances under the Insurrection Act and will continue to try to unify the chains of command that are split among the president, the Louisiana governor and the New Orleans mayor.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090301680.html

Why does Bush make this request?
Do I recall the timeline correctly that Bush did send no help Before Friday?
Is is therefore correct to conclude that he wanted this struggle to win before sending help?

[The Magistrate]

1. Why Do You Think, Mr. Doe?

[John Doe II]

2. Do you mean

"Why do you think?" or "What do you think?"

I woudln't get the sense of the first question cause discussing why I think is certainly not really interesting for DU.
So I take it it's the other question you've meant to write.

I seriously don't know why Bush would request federal takeover before doing anything to help NOLA.

[The Magistrate]

3. But Surely, Sir

You are willing to speculate?

[John Doe II]

4. No

Speculation is not my business.
And as you know me well from the 911 forum you've surely realized that I only try to stick to the facts and raise questions rather than to speculate.
Do you want to speculate?

[The Magistrate]

6. The State Official Quoted, Sir

Makes a good deal of sense....

[John Doe II]

7. Can you elaboate this

a bit further please?
Why does it make a good deal of sense to you?

[The Magistrate]

9. Disaster, Sir

Is about blame: no one wants it.

Politics is about power: no one wants to give it up.

[John Doe II]

10. Obvious

Yet, the above mentioned quote gives more the impression that's about pressure and taking advantage of a situation and a dependancy.
But I'm happy to be convinced of the opposite ...

[The Magistrate]

11. You Might Want To Flesh That Out A Little, Sir

It is rather indistinct....

"Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Socialism is the exact opposite."

[John Doe II]

12. Basically

it seems to say that unless the request is not accepted there won't be any help.
Was there proper help from the US government before Friday?

If help depends on accepting a request it looks like putting pressure on the one who needs help.

Why was there no help prior to Fridat without any request? For the simple idea to help people to survive?

[The Magistrate]

13. And Why, Sir, Do You Think It Was

That the Federal agencies did nothing of consequence before Friday?

[John Doe II]

14. I'd love to hear that

but I'm sure Bush's investigation will give us the answer ....

What do you think?

Why do you think happened all these cases where fEMA prevented help:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4658479

[The Magistrate]

16. Should That Be Taken To Mean, Sir

That you have no idea of your own what lay behind the delays, and no idea what was the object of the "pressure on those needing help" that you refered to above?

[John Doe II]

17. I've the impression the only thing

that interests you is hearing my speculations.
I don't want to speculate.
Do you agree with my statement that there was no help before Friday and apparently the help depended on the above mentioned request?
And if you want to speculate yourself. Then do so.

[charlie]

5. Rebuilding contracts

The feds would oversee contract awards. Quite a prize, eh?

[SoCalDemocrat]

15. You win the prize

They were eyeballing the multi-billion dollar contract awards that would follow. Bush wanted control of the whole enchillada through FEMA and his puppet director.

[bklyncowgirl]

18. Ding Ding Ding Ding

With state and local officials in charge contracts will go to companies with ties (read made campeign donations to local elected officials)

With the Feds in charge, contracts will go to companies with ties (read made large campeign contributions) to the Bush administration.

Halliburtion has already been awarded on $500,000 contract from the Navy. This is just the beginning.

[snot]

8. There are many reasons. This info has been in posts for a while--but

obviously many haven't gotten it yet. Please send to the media and gov'l reps!

[liveoaktx]

19. Would also give him a chance to place blame on state and local officials

Gov Blanco was smart to refuse.