Not Quite Habitat for Humanity

This is the base problem with this administration. It's more important to appear to be building one home on national TV than to be actually building homes.

WASHINGTON — Facing criticism that he appeared disengaged from the disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina, President Bush has been looking for opportunities to show his concern. But the White House will take the effort a step further Tuesday, venturing into untested waters by putting the nation's first lady on reality television.

Laura Bush will travel to storm-damaged Biloxi, Miss., to film a spot on the feel-good, wish-granting hit "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Mrs. Bush sought to be on the program because she shares the "same principles" that the producers hold, her press secretary said.

For god's sake, go and do a photoshoot with habitat for humanity. Maybe that would inspire other people to join in habitat projects and maybe something more real could get done than the inevitable painting the first lady is qualified for.

But, then again, it's more important to appear to be doing something rather than actually doing something.(See Bush's seven visits to Hurricane Rita vs. actually staying in Washington and working out how to pay for all this.)