Political Theatre of the Absurd, Part II

For a federal government that was slow to get things like food and water to people stranded at the Superdome -- the White House was fast at getting tons of lights and generators to the center of New Orleans for the President's speech Thursday night.

The New York Times' Elisabeth Bumiller was a pool reporter. She was able to confirm the White House flew in all the lights and generators for the spectacular backdrop.

Bobby DcServi, the White House's lighting designer (yes, they have one on your payroll) and Scott Sforza, in charge of visuals, created that image of Mr Bush, Andrew Jackson, and the Cathederal in the midst of an empty city.

To do it, they used as much candlepower as was used to light up the entire Statue of Liberty for President Bush's September 11, 2002 speech in New York. (WashPost)