"To the extent" = qualification, wiggle room, weasal words.
"serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government"
... still sliming city/state, spreading the responsibility.
Come on, Mr. Macho Bring 'em On, stand up like a man and admit your Big Government showpice, DHS/FEMA, designed and implemented by your all-business/no-nonsense/MBA/CEO/this-is-how-Repugs-do-govt team, to carry out your "vow" to protect America, failed miserably, fatally in crunch time.
Take the banana out of your flight suit and stop hiding behind state rights and legal bull .
You are failed as a leader,
your are failed as protector of America,
your are failed as commander-in-chief
America has become less safe on your watch,
has more enemies directly as a result of your BS war,
and 1000's of Americans have died needlessly in Iraq and Katrina as direct result of your government's profound incompetence.