President Obama Arrives in Louisiana to Assess Effects of Gulf Oil Spill

President Obama visited Louisiana this afternoon, seeing for himself the effects of the continuing oil spill and promising an "all-hands-on-deck" reaction, the Times-Picayune reports.

"BP is responsible for this leak. BP will be paying the bill," he said. "But as president of the United States, I will spare no effort until this spill is cleaned up."

Obama met with local, state and federal officials involved in the cleanup in southeastern Louisiana, the closest stretch of coastline threatened by the massive spill. Afterward, he said that despite "the most advanced technology available," the spill may not be stopped for many days.

Obama reiterated that it is BP's responsibility to pay for the cleanup: "BP is responsible for this leak. BP will be paying the bill. But as president of the United States, I will spare no effort until this spill is cleaned up."