Ladies and gentlemen, I wish I had better news for you but we are facing a storm that most of us have feared, ... This is a threat that we've never faced before.

The reality of Katrina didn't really strike me until the first time I flew up in a helicopter and saw areas of the city that I had ridden my bicycle as a youth being fully flooded.

It's such a sad day to come here, ... My sympathy goes out to all the families whose loved ones have been identified and also for the families who are still seeking their relatives and loved ones who are still missing.

The task at hand is to bring New Orleans back, ... However, we want everyone to assess the risks and make an informed decision about re-entry plans.

Basically, the start of my thinking process is: 'OK, if you didn't have to worry about re-election, what would you be doing?' That's kind of how I'm starting to think.

One of the best moments I've ever had in New Orleans is seeing Bourbon Street filled on a weekend night not long ago. Just watching the city breathe again.