The tone and choice of topics during coverage of the anniversary could have some significant political ramifications as the story will play a part in setting a stage for upcoming congressional elections. The story could possibly have even bigger effects felt in 2008. In anticipation of the upcoming anniversary, many politicians have made pilgrimages to the site of the most devastating storm in modern history. Not surprisingly, some of those politicians are often cited presidential hopefuls.

Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu recently took Senators Barack Obama and John Kerry on a tour. John Kerry, who was making his third visit in the past year said, “It’s a time to measure what have we done. It’s a shame that it’s going to take a one-year anniversary for everybody to refocus. I think people will be shocked by how little has happened.”

As I wrote last year, one potential presidential candidate, Rudy Giuliani, might have had his prospects helped by the experience of Katrina. Another politician, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, became discussed as a potential presidential candidate due to his outstanding performance in response to the storm.

Other politicians faced intense scrutiny during the Katrina crisis, and results ranged even among those criticized most harshly. While FEMA director, Michael Brown wound up the butt of jokes and out of a job, New Orleans Mayor Ray (school bus) Nagin, was re-elected to office.

It appears that most journalists, even those guilty of the worst of the misreporting, have come through a year later with consequences similar to those enjoyed by Mayor Nagin.