By Kim Tolley
City Editor
Columbus Post

As his approval numbers continue to sag, President George W. Bush is accelerating the number of visits to the Gulf Coast in an effort to counter perceptions that he is indifferent to poor African Americans.
Despite his increased visibility in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, Bush's poll numbers continue to worsen. A CNN/USAToday/Gallup poll taken last weekend show that the president's disapproval rating is at a new high of 58 percent. Fifty-six percent told the pollsters they believe that Bush's latest actions are motivated less by sincere concern than political damage control. Fifty-percent of people now say going to war in Iraq was a mistake.
The mood in Columbus appears to match the national disillusionment with Bush. When asked if they still considered the president a strong and effective leader, most were unanimous in their responses.
"No he isn't," said Hiram Howard in response to the question. "We should have had an effective evacuation policy in place for the people in Louisiana and New Orleans."
Howard wasn't swayed by Bush's belated acceptance of responsibility regarding the botched federal response.
"He takes credit afterwards as to absolve himself of some kind of guilt," Howard said. "Everybody says that he is a stand-up person because he took responsibility. The key is to be an effective leader, to take responsibility and to have policies in place before things happen. Once things happen, we are able to respond everywhere else around this world, but we are unable to go down and effectively rescue and service tax-paying citizens."
Others say Bush has spent too much time and money on other countries and believe he should now focus on domestic issues.
"There are so many causes in America that need to be taken care of before he takes causes across the water and out of our country," said Anañle Leadum. "There are so many issues here in this country that need to be handled. I have relatives fighting for no reason in Iraq. They should be home. "

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