The New York Times (Obama Promises Speedy Aid as Storm Takes on Political Weight)
described the President as “eager to project the image of a president
responding forcefully to the crisis” as he promised on Wednesday
“storm’s victims in New Jersey, New York and elsewhere that federal help
is on the way.” He assured them that his administration will “get
resources where they’re needed as fast as possible.” If governors and
mayors are “getting ‘no’ for an answer somewhere in the federal
government, they can call me personally at the White House.” The Times
even threw in praise from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: “The
President has been all over this. He deserves great credit.” Christie
wisely did not add: “And he gets the blame when things go wrong.”
If Obama were an experienced hurricane survivor like me (hailing from Houston), he would not have said these words. No hurricane works to the benefit of public officials, high or low.
go to forbes.com
Why so somber? If it's really true that "Obama will regret," shouldn't that make you happy?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the real reason behind President Obama's interaction was to ensure that he was not criticized for reacting similarly to how Former President Bush had reacted with Katrina. Beyond this the issue of race of a white president reacting to a heavily hit African American population, if Obama had not reacted as he had, he could have lost (theoretically of course) a large portion of African American votes.
ReplyDeleteIn the long run, I agree though, it seems intentionally associating one's self to a natural disaster would be a poor decision in the long run.