Whether or not hurricane severity or numbers can be blamed on global warming has certainly not been demonstrated convincingly, although neither can it be ruled out altogether, it is a perfectly reasonable assumption. On the other hand, that government agencies like NOAA and EPA have their policy influenced, if not dictated, by pressure from the Executive branch has definitely been demonstrated in the past, by both parties. That's why Presidents get to pick agency heads and Cabinet ministers. Remember James Watt, Everett Koop? I could go on. It's not surprising that NOAA officials will toe the party line from the White House. Perhaps now that the President has acknowledged the existence of global warming and the possibulity that it is due to human activities, the NOAA position will change. There is always inertia at work here...