To those who have criticized Obama's lack of involvement in the spill effort, the president can claim some success in his speech tonight, having now spent hours empathizing with local officials and business leaders about the effects of the disaster. As Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kenner said, "I feel like he understood our pain, the sense of urgency we have down here. But more importantly, he understood that this runs deeper than money. This is a culture, a way of life down here that is being threatened. And the only way to know that is to get down here and see it firsthand."
linkGulfport Mayor George Schloegel, a Republican, said he's satisfied with the oil spill response by the Obama administration and BP PLC. BP operated the drilling rig that exploded and sank nearly two months ago and is responsible for cleaning up the spill.
Schloegel said he participates in daily calls the White House has with local officials in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
"That is what I call responsive," Schloegel said on his way into the Coast Guard center.
link