When I asked him about some of the most important lessons learned, one of Barbour's first thoughts was that "Texas will be recovering from this storm for years to come. The state and local governments have to work together and the governor has to lead. Nobody else can lead." And with respect to the White House's response, he said: "The federal government has to be a good partner to Texas just like they were after Katrina and Sandy. The federal government won't do everything perfectly, but it must be there and for the long haul."