FEMA Chief Brown: Former head of the Arabian Horse Association Qualified to Manage Agency

And yesterday, newly leaked memos showed that FEMA waited five hours after Hurricane Katrina had struck New Orleans before requesting help to be dispatched to the region. Even then Brown said that the 1,000 Homeland Security employees could take two days to show up at the disaster scene. Brown's memo to Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff politely ended, "Thank you for your consideration in helping us to meet our responsibilities." According to the Associated Press, Brown's memo lacked any urgent language besides describing the hurricane as a "near catastrophic event." Brown's memo also said that employees would be expected to "convey a positive image of disaster operations to government officials, community organizations and the general public." Yesterday, Brown held a press conference and was asked to respond to calls for his resignation. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has called for you resignation. I'm wondering if you have a response to that

* Micheael Brown, “The President's in charge of that, not me...I serve totally at the will of the President of the United States."

The Bush administration has staunchly defended Michael Brown. Last week, while admiting the federal response was not acceptable, Bush lauded Brown saying "Brownie, you"re doing a heck of a job." Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan became defensive when asked by reporters if Bush had continued confidence in Michael Brown and FEMA. In these past few days, information has come calling into question the qualifications of Brown and two of his top deputies. It turns out that none of them had virtually any real experience in emergency management before they joined FEMA.

* Judd Legum, Research Director at the Center for American Progress and co-editor of the Progress Report.

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