JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Governor Haley Barbour is thinking about writing a book after he leaves office next year. He says it will likely focus on dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Barbour was so moved by Katrina the day he first saw its damage that he teared up. He still talks about it being the most powerful storm in recorded history. "The worst natural disaster ever."
Barbour started his long relationship, getting federal help for Mississippi to rebuild from Katrina, with a conversation on the Mississippi coast the day after the storm with Michael Brown, who was then director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under President George Bush.
"This is a big deal, this is a big deal, and I talked to the president three or four times, he is very concerned about you," said Brown. Governor Barbour told Brown, "When you go tomorrow to the cabinet meeting, we are gonna be working on this the rest of the time he is president."
Brown was later fired by Bush for his handling of the storm's aftermath in Louisiana.
Barbour revealed at his news conference his administration got more than $24 billion dollars from the federal government to rebuild Mississippi from Katrina. "Right now, it looks like $24 to $25 billion dollars."
Barbour also revealed his thoughts about a book on Katrina's aftermath.
"I am thinking about writing a book, a book about Katrina. Wouldn't be a political memoir, but a book about lessons of leadership in a major disaster."
Barbour says he intends to work as hard as he can to see a Republican is the next president of the United States.
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