President Obama held a brief press gathering to discuss his second visit to the region being affected by a disastrous BP oil spill. 

He appeared with each of the governors from affected states from Louisiana to Florida, as well as local officials in a show of solidarity and resolve as they continue to attack this problem.  He reiterated that 20,000 people were working on the problem with at least 1,400 ships, but he said that further work was necessary.  As such, he ordered Admiral Thad Allen and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to triple the number of people working on the cleanup effort.

The President also had to acknowledge that the coordination on the ground for those searching for help has been relatively lousy.  People had complained that BP wasn't being forthcoming about paying for people's lost livelihood, possibly because they also have an interest in minimizing their own liability.  As of this briefing the President said that local mayors will now have all of the information available for those frustrated by early miscues, also pointing out that the White House website has all of the information necessary for compensation and assistance.

Feeling a bit of heat by not acting like he was engaged enough, the President made clear that he has been engaged from day one, and offered a clear chain of command for anyone in the region who wasn't happy with something.  He said to talk to Admiral Thad Allen and if that wasn't enough that they could call the President directly if there was a problem with red tape et cetera.  He also reminded everyone that the available technology won't be able to solve all their cleanup problems, also admitting that they didn't have enough oil boom ready, while adding if anyone had an idea that could be shown to work, they would be willing to try.

Watch the President's comments below: