Coordination happened in advance. Bush skipped St. Paul, was near the storm’s huge eye. Katrina showed the White House crowd as clowns. With Gustav they were given one more try.

We’re all relieved that they’ve improved their act (And Gustav weakened as it came onshore.) The implication, though, is rather fraught: Will they now try to start a better war?

2. Conspiracy Theory

They had to ask the President to speak, Though his approval ratings were so weak Republicans all whispered in the hall, “Could he just find some way to skip St. Paul?” Then, just before the party was to start, They came up with a course that they could chart. They telephoned Pat Robertson to say, “Ask God to send a hurricane today.”