Newsweek says Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour's (R) performance, post-Katrina, "has been a master class in milking the federal bureaucracy." He's been one of the few public offiials to come out looking good since the storm struck.
The key to success: "Barbour's ties to the Bush family run deep; he's worked hand in glove with two generations of their political masterminds, Lee Atwater and Karl Rove."
Naturally, few in his state are complaining about the former RNC chairman's ties as he tries to rebuild his state from the damage caused by Katrina. "If Barbour succeeds, he may soon be showcasing his ability to work the levers in Washington -- as a candidate for president in 2008."