Bush atones by taking over response to Gustav

AS Hurricane Gustav threatened the Gulf Coast, US President George W Bush was out to show the nation that his government had learned the haunting lessons of Katrina and was ready to act.

That included a rapid response by Bush himself, who was planted near the danger zone even before the storm hit last night.

Bush left yesterday for Texas, a staging ground for emergency response efforts and a shelter state for Gulf Coast evacuees. The president also visited Austin and San Antonio.