During President Obama’s address to the nation from the Oval Office tonight, he stated that he was calling on Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to lead a long-term restoration plan for the Gulf region. The President noted Secretary Mabus’ prior service as Governor of Mississippi as providing his credentials. While Heritage respects his service, Secretary Mabus left the governorship nearly twenty years ago and much has changed since then.
In addition, the Navy needs a Secretary who is able to devote their full attention to the current issues we face in terms of acquisitions, personnel, and how to best respond to near- and long-term threats.
The President could, instead, turn to another more recent former governor of a Gulf state and someone who has significant experience in responding to regional disasters. The President could appoint former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to this commission.
