Romney to Tour Hurricane Damage Today; Campaigning Obama Yet to Visit

If an earthquake were to hit California, Obama will be campaigning there day and night.

And so what is a 'tour' of the hurricane damage going to accomplish?

By either one of them?

What is the concern here? Putting on shows of concern? Or providing help and assistance before, during, and after?

CBS News:

Under the president's direction, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials have been on the ground in the Gulf region for over a week, but "the hardest work is still ahead," Mr. Obama said.

"I'll continue to make sure the federal government is doing everything possible to help the American people prepare and recover from this dangerous storm," the president said.

(...)

Mr. Obama on Monday approved a disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana so it can get the resources it needs, particularly for evacuations under way. Additionally, Mr. Obama noted Tuesday that there are response teams on the ground with supplies, ready to help communities expected to fall in the path of the storm. He said that he received updates on the situation Tuesday morning from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, FEMA head Craig Fugate and National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb.

Granted, Bobby Jindal was not satisfied with disaster declaration on the financial level...he wanted reimbursement for emergency preparedness actions taken on the part of the state. Federal help was sent before the storm and not just to Louisiana but other states, too. The Federal government, by law, can provide up to 75% of the expenses of disaster relief, with the state(s) being responsible for the other 25%. Not knowing the specifics of the situation, though, makes it hard to say if Jindal's got a legitimate complaint or not.

It was Federal aid, specifically the Army Corps of Engineers, that built the new levees that protected New Orleans this time around...and Isaac was a category 1, not 3, hurricane, also. Smaller neighboring communities have complained that the new levees that protected NOLA did it by shunting the water to their now-flooded areas. But the water goes where the land is lower and that is one of the dangers of building in a flood plain...or, as in the case of many parts of New Orleans, below the water level.

Also, it should be noted, when considering Governor Jindal's complaints...that he is a Republican. Reading articles that addressed concerns and opinions expressed by the residents of NOLA, however, shows that they felt much more prepared before and safer during the long-lasting storm because of the levees and also there were Army Reserve troops put in place to discourage/stop any potential looting which was a huge issue after Katrina. Most of the 9th Ward was empty, anyway, because the residents there were, understandably, were feeling the most trepidation about the coming storm after being the most devastated area after Katrina.

I'm not knocking Romney for going there...but I'm not knocking Obama for not being there any sooner than he will be...but the truth of the matter is that Romney really can't do anything of any effect other than commiserate with the victims...unless, of course, he wanted to give a generous monetary donation to Jindal on behalf of the victims...which might not be legal, anyway.


And the sitting President really can't do much, himself, either, except for making sure there is help sent and the right kind of help and plenty of it. I think that was done...the ultimate point being that unlike Bush, Obama was concerned beforehand rather than afterward and much later afterward as was the case after Katrina.

But that can all be chalked up to learning by experience...something we are all forced to do, no matter what the situation.

big deal

how does that end a war or create jobs ?

we really need to stop this 2 party nonsense and come together

reply to post by queenannie38


During the course of the GOP convention, convention goers were urged to donate to the Red Cross. There were multiple screens at the convention urging to do so. Does anyone know the actual figures on how much convention goes donated?

reply to post by RELDDIR


I'm looking to see if I can find some numbers on that.

I found this:
ABC News

Last night, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez asked for those watching the speeches to contribute to the Red Cross.

“Before I begin tonight, let’s keep in our thoughts and prayers the families impacted by the storm affecting the Gulf Coast. If you haven’t done so already, please donate to the Red Cross,” Martinez said.

I'm in New Mexico!
We had two women running for Governor last go-round in 2010 (the third of four such races so far in US History!) and the Republican party won the election...I'm glad our Governor was one who mentioned donating to the Red Cross!

I also found this:
Red Cross Partners with RPOF

I can't help but speculate that this 'partnership' is purely the result of the combined circumstances of the time and place of the RNC being the same, generally, as Hurricane Isaac...and from Governor Rick Scott's press release, that does seem to be the case...

And yet I have to wonder...if there had not been attention focused on both, would the RPOF have felt compelled to 'partner' up with the Red Cross for relief efforts? It kind of diverts the criticism received at first about 'partying' in the face of potential disaster...and can be something of a notch in the proverbial belt of the Republican party...or an ace in the hole...whatever...of course, if it helps people who need help, it is above any criticism regarding motive. Help is help.

So far, I haven't found any numbers, though.

reply to post by queenannie38


The GOP convention in 2008 was postphoned due to a hurricane.

What's the point in either of them going? Don't the local authorities have enough to do without having to assist with providing security so either one of them can get more face time?

reply to post by BobM88


Well...this is sort of a grey area...sociopolitical mire, to put it succintly.

Here is a blog entry that pretty much sums it up, indeed, from the perspective of personal opinion but I do think it is a relevant one in which the psychology underlying the surface issue is very well described:

The Rumble