Where In The World Is The National Guard For San Diego?

California's shortage of National Guard troops and supplies is starting to get a good deal of attention. Half of the equipement needed by the Naitonal Guard to aid in recovery and assistance is not in the state, and we've known about this for months. Sen. Boxer raised this concern yesterday, and spokesman Dana Perino could only stammer in response.

Q Dana, back on the wildfires for a moment. Senator Barbara Boxer, this morning in a hearing, suggested that they're limited in the amount of National Guard equipment available to them in California because of commitments in Iraq. Specifically she said, "Right now we are down 50 percent in terms of our National Guard equipment because they're all in Iraq. The equipment -- half of the equipment, so we really will need help." Do you have a response to that?

MS. PERINO: I haven't heard that specifically. I know that that has been a concern.

Well, when you hear something specifically, get back to us. We'll be roasting marshmallows on our houses in the meantime.

The tragedy of Iraq has far-flung consequences that we are seeing play out right now.