Chertoff Says FEMA's Lack of Planning to Blame

Chertoff Says FEMA's Lack of Planning to Blame - Los Angeles Times:

"WASHINGTON -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency's lack of planning, not the failures of state and local officials, was to blame for much of what went wrong with the government's response to Hurricane Katrina, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told member of Congress today.

The assessment by the most senior administration official to answer legislators' questions since the hurricane struck in late August contrasted sharply with testimony offered earlier by former FEMA Director Michael Brown. Brown had blamed the 'dysfunction' of Louisiana state and local officials for the problems that hobbled the relief effort."

I missed this one. Thanks to America Blog for the catch. Chertoff actually shows some backbone here. I wonder if he'll be invited to the WH Christmas dinner this year.