Public Skeptical New Orleans Will Recover

Gallup reports A new CNN/USA Today/Gallup survey finds the public skeptical that New Orleans will ever completely recover from Hurricane Katrina, but also supportive of making the effort to rebuild the city. Even those who predict full recovery expect the process to take many years....

I join them in being skeptical.

A majority, 56%, is even skeptical that New Orleans will ever completely recover from the hurricane. Among those who think recovery is possible, they predict on average that it will take more than nine years, with a majority saying a minimum of six years....

I agree that it will take a very long time, but I am opposed to spending ANY federal funds to rebuild any part of New Orleans that is below sea level.

Despite widespread criticism of the response by Bush and, separately, the federal government, to the problems caused by the hurricane, the public seems on balance only mildly critical. Forty-two percent say Bush did a "bad" (18%) or "terrible" (24%) job, but 35% rate his response as either "great" (10%) or "good" (25%)....

I agree with the 10% that says he did a great job.

When asked to identify who was most responsible for the problems in New Orleans after the hurricane, 38% of Americans said no one was really to blame, while 13% cited Bush, 18% the federal agencies, and 25% state and local officials....

I believe that the state and local officials bear the brunt of the criticism. It is possible that FEMA should have done a few things a bit faster, but I don't think that any state or city should consider FEMA as a First Responder; they should be prepared to handle things for a few days on their own, and if they call for federal help, they should give the Feds whatever authority they require.

Few Americans feel that any top official in the agencies responsible for handling emergencies should be dismissed from office -- just 29% say someone should be fired, while 63% disagree....

If we are talking about Federal agencies, I agree, although I think the Governor and Mayor should resign.

Police are trying to get the remaining residents in New Orleans to evacuate, because of health and safety problems. Americans agree with this effort by better than a 2-to-1 margin, 66% to 30%....

I agree

The public tends to be upbeat about the efforts being made to deal with the disaster. Sixty-two percent feel the progress being made in the region is satisfactory, while 35% say it is not....

I agree

As for the effect of the hurricane on gas prices, Americans express a cynical view -- by 79% to 18%, they believe that gas companies are taking advantage of the situation to charge unfair prices.

I understand their feelings, but I dont think they understand supply and demand