Can someone help me?

[whosinpower]

I am confused.

The news circulating these days is that Chertoff - not Brown is to blame for the lag in the FEDS stepping up because Chertoff has the authority to declare a a situation of special significance under the United States National Response Plan.......

And here is where I am confused because I read on DailyKos that when President Bush himself declared a state of emergency for the state of Louisiana - that act, in itself would of activated the situation of special significance - and that Bush himself would HAVE to oversee the operations as per the United States National Response Plan........

So.......this contract signed by the government was implemented in 2004 - and Bush had given the Homeland Security directer authority in 2003. Wouldn't Bush himself still bear responsibility (I mean real responsibility) under the plan - or can he really excuse himself because he authorized someone previously?