Updated at 1.39 pm Pacific
On the heels of his demotion Friday, embattled FEMA Chief Mike Brown has stepped down, according to CNN. (video - requires Windows) On Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff named Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad Allen to head Katrina relief efforts. Only the week before, President Bush said, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." Earlier Monday, while inspecting damage in Gulfport, MS, President Bush ducked questions about Brown's future at the agency.

Brown told AP: "I think it’s in the best interest of the agency and the best interest of the president to do that and get the media focused on the good things that are going on, instead of me."

Opinion polls show that most Americans believe that the federal government did not do everything possible to help Katrina victims. For example, 52 percent do not approve of how Bush has handled the disaster. Bush's overall approval rating has dropped to 39 percent in the current Associated Press-Ipsos poll.

Criticism of FEME and Brown, a political appointee, has been bipartisan. On Friday, Representative Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) said: "It's very appropriate that Michael Brown step down. Clearly, FEMA's response has been weak and inadequate.'' Reuters notes that Brown's official bio was changed late on Sunday after accusations that he had exaggerated his local government and emergency planning experience.

Brown's background as commissioner of the International Arabian Horse Association provided ample fodder for political comedians and bloggers (here, here and here ... tip to Kos and WorldNetDaily .) Who will be the next symbol of all that went wrong? Let the scapegoating begin in earnest. What do you think?

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FEMA, Hurricane Katrina, Politics