WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush scrubbed a pre-Rita visit to rally home-state emergency crews at the last minute Friday, after two days of questions over whether the trip was a mere photo op to portray Bush as being in charge after his Hurricane Katrina stumbles.

The White House's reason: the crews already had started moving toward the storm's shifting path, and Bush didn't want to slow them down.

The White House said Friday night that he would visit Austin and San Antonio on Saturday.

The planned Friday visit seemed to offer all the potential elements of the White House's favored, choreographed settings for Bush - shirtsleeves, backslaps and would-be heroes.

The White House had insisted the trip was a way for Bush to see storm preparations firsthand and denied that his presence might hinder crews getting ready to face the storm.

Polls show voters were disappointed in his handling of Katrina, and the White House hopes he can make up some ground with a strong response to Rita.

Bush was adamant about three hours before pulling the plug on the trip that "there will be no risk of me getting in the way, I promise you."

He made sure of it by skipping Texas and going straight to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he will visit Northern Command military headquarters to monitor the storm.

Commentary:

I was sitting with some friends when we watched Bush say he wouldn't get in the way in Texas and we all laughed. He looks and acts like an idiot.

Was this another Karl Rove moment--manufactured and contrived to please the right wing?