Obama Goes Back to the Gulf

Once more, with feeling: President Barack Obama paid yet another visit to the disaster-stricken Gulf Coast on Tuesday to survey the scene and to do a little damage control of his own.  —KA

The Wall Street Journal:

With his visits to Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, Mr. Obama was trying to blunt criticism of his administration’s efforts to guard those states from the environmental and economic damage already done to Louisiana.

Residents and officials in all three states have voiced dissatisfaction with the administration’s management of the spill response, and with BP PLC’s handling of damage claims filed by residents and businesses harmed by the disaster.

Mr. Obama said he has begun “constructive” talks with BP on the creation of an independently operated recovery fund to ensure “legitimate claims are dealt with fairly, justly, promptly.”

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AP / Charles Dharapak

President Obama and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist walk along Pensacola Beach, Fla., on Tuesday.