Obama: Gulf oil spill could be “catastrophic,” but federal response is full-bore

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Obama: Feds ready for catastrophic Gulf oil spill

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says it’s unclear how much oil is leaking into the Gulf of Mexico, but the government is prepared to handle a potentially “catastrophic event.”

Obama said Friday that no one knows exactly how much oil is leaking because human inspectors cannot reach the mile-deep well head.

He said he would not rest until the leak is stopped, the oil is contained and cleaned up, and people of the Gulf region resume normal lives.

Obama spoke in the Rose Garden after discussing the oil spill with Cabinet members.