Exactly who's idea was it to put FEMA under Homeland Security?

[Quixote1818]

Was that Bush's idea, congress, a committee? What was the process and who drew out the plans?

Ultimately Bush was in charge and he should bare the brunt of the responsibility but who's idea was this?

Can anyone fill me in on the details? Thanks

[preciousdove]

1. After 911 everybody wanted something done, sadly Bush was in charge

This is his baby.

[tech3149]

2. definitely Bush

yea Bush, That's the ticket! Bush is the top of the food chain. Even if it wasn't his direct decision, those he selected/appointed made the decisions. As far as factual information, I'm pretty sure that the organization and organizational flow chart would be a presidential/cabinet level decision. There's no way the president should be uninformed about HS and the associated organizations and how they operate. From my experience with "boots on the ground FEMA personell", they are dedicated and capable. Over the last four+ years, the top positions have been replaced with political operatives with no experience or training. Putting FEMA under the HS pervue has just added another level of red tape to hold them back from doing the job at hand. Most of the reports over the past week indicate that chain of command has been a major issue in getting things done right now.

[mdguss]

3. No, Joe Lieberman:

Good old Joementum is the one who came up with the idea for DHS. And Bush opposed it. In the summer of 2002, Rove figured out he was going to lose the election unless there was a DHS--so Bush co-opted it and made it worse while doing so. Still had it actually been overseen by competent managers it was a good idea. The mistake wasn't Lieberman's idea, but the fact that he trusted the Bush posse to be competent.