A Change in the Lineup

WASHINGTON (AP)-- Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown is being removed from his role managing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, The Associated Press has learned.

Brown is being sent back to Washington from Baton Rouge, where he was the primary official overseeing the federal government's response to the disaster, according to two federal officials who declined to be identified before the announcement.

Does this have something to do with the allegations of Brown padding his resume?

Regardless, I think it's a smart move.

The administration should not spend time defending Brown. The relief efforts are too important to allow this distraction to continue.

If he's a scapegoat, so be it.

If Brown is being victimized by the Left, that will come out when the various investigations and commissions analyze the federal, state, and local governments' response to Hurricane Katrina.

If Brown is vindicated, good for him.

If not, it's the right decision for him to be removed from managing relief efforts.

Right now, nothing should stand in the way of handling the crisis in the Gulf.