Obama and the Irene response

The president wanted to be seen as being on top of things. Over the weekend, a photo op was arranged showing Mr. Obama and FEMA bosses monitoring Hurricane Irene, and preparing to rush a response.

White House photo

Perhaps the response was a little too aggressive in some areas.

There's a video going viral that shows a New Jersey National Guard relief column getting in a little over its head.



Those in the convoy were eventually rescued with the help of a ladder from the local fire department. The local newspaper got pictures. Here's another shot of a rescuer waiting to be rescued.

We don't know if the unit was following specific orders, and if it was, who gave those orders.

But images of submerged trucks rolling down a street, along with all the storm hype of the weekend, leads me to wonder. Is there any chance political concerns and other hype got ahead of reasonable logistics in responding to Irene?

updated and revised 8/29/2011 7:50pm EDT