I take everything back, he is a great leader.

(ABC News) — With the powerful Hurricane Irene heading toward the Carolinas, the White House says preparations are well underway, but that the President has no plans to return to Washington D.C. early.

Mr. Obama was briefed this morning, and paused during his golf round yesterday to speak to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Administration, Craig Fugate.

FEMA was roundly criticized for its handling of Hurricane Katrina during the previous administration. But Mr. Obama, through his spokesman suggests much is different now. Earnest says the President has “complete confidence” in FEMA Administrator Fugate.