Bush Blames Locals for Storm Response

White House shifts blame for Katrina response Administration, embattled FEMA chief point to state, local officials.

By Manuel Roig-Franzia and Spencer Hsu of the Washington Post

NEW ORLEANS - Tens of thousands of people spent a fifth day awaiting evacuation from this ruined city, as Bush administration officials blamed state and local authorities for what leaders at all levels have called a failure of the country's emergency management.