“George W. Bush is a big spender. He has never vetoed a spending bill. When Congress serves up a big slab of fat, crackling pork, Mr. Bush responds with one big question: Got any barbecue sauce? “

— Peggy Noon, Republican pundit

“I don’t think there’s any question that Katrina influenced the way [President Bush] responded to Rita and good for him (for) being on top of it. This weekend is not going to move the needle. He’s got a long, long way out of this.”

— David Gergen, Republican adviser to four presidents

“[The poor response to Katrina is] a wake-up call. It’s a warning and, unfortunately, we haven’t taken some of the measures that we should have after 9-11.”

— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

“It’s done damage to what is the stem and stern of the Bush presidency, which is his leadership. What you’re going to see here is people holding this president responsible for this event when the government did not intervene to help people at a time of great need.”

— Juan Williams, Fox News