Culver aides: McCain ignored request to cancel Iowa visit

DES MOINES, Iowa — An aide to Gov. Chet Culver said Thursday that Republican presidential candidate John McCain ignored the governor's request to cancel a campaign visit amid a massive flood recovery effort in the state.

McCain toured flood-damaged sites in Iowa on Thursday, including the town of Columbus Junction in the southeast.

Patrick Dillon, Culver's chief of staff, said the governor was concerned that McCain's trip would divert local law enforcement from the flood recovery effort to provide security for McCain.

David Roederer, who chairs McCain's campaign in Iowa, said McCain's trip didn't hamper Iowa's recovery operation. He said McCain proceeded with the visit because the campaign was providing much of its own security.

"There was really no state resources diverted," Roederer said.

The mayor of Columbus Junction, Dan Wilson, agreed.

"Certainly, Mr. McCain's visit today in no way hindered any relief efforts or any of our efforts on recovery or security or whatever we were working on," Wilson said. He said McCain's staff called him Wednesday night and Thursday to be sure the visit would not cause a problem.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama canceled a scheduled visit to eastern Iowa last week at the request of state officials.

Story continues below

advertisement

"As a courtesy _ and as we did for Senator Obama _ we privately made an effort to make sure that Senator McCain knew that state and local resources were still being deployed to support the flood fight and that now may not be the best time for a campaign trip," Dillon said in a statement.

Dillon's comments came as President Bush toured the state, and hundreds of law enforcement officers were diverted from flood recovery to provide security for him.

Culver, who endorsed Obama well before the primary campaign with rival Hillary Rodham Clinton was settled, is expected to be one of Obama's biggest supporters in Iowa during the general election.

Dillon said the issue was not about the election but about recovering from flooding.

"At the end of the day, it's not about politics but about what's best for Iowa," he said. "We hope any attention brought to the state _ from Senator McCain or any other leader _ will help bring assistance and enduring commitments to support Iowa's recovery."

Iowa Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley also have teamed for a tour of their own to see the flood damage.

While these high-profile politicians bring attention to the disaster, they cause headaches for hard-pressed law enforcement. Bush and McCain are protected by the Secret Service, and call in scores of local law enforcement to provide security during local appearances.

Comments

[the964kid]

I gotta admit thats pretty funny. McCain is crashing natural disasters for a photo op.

[iswideopen]

Anything, and I mean anything to attempt to get votes. These people are hurting right now; do you not get it. Remember Hurricane Katrina? Oh, yeah, you and George W. Bush were having cake. They kindly asked you to stay away, regardless. McBush, you have no shame, just like your republican counterparts.

[MissKaren]

What do you expect? He's a politician on the hunt. Do you expect him to value human lives other than his own?

[marymansour]

George W. Bush III advances despite the governor's wishes. McCain is true to the tradition of George Bush's third term. Just do what you like and be damned to what anyone else wants.

[kenbomc]

Put the recovery efforts on hold for the photo op. Could it be that McSame went the same time as Bush so if there was criticism he would just blame it on the Prez bieng there as well. Good job McSame.

[BigSid]

HOW PATHETIC

Gov. Culver should be ashamed of himself. Had McCain not visited, then I'm sure in the lead-up to November, the first thing out of Culver's mouth would be "McCain doesn't care -- just like Bush didn't care after Katrina!"

This is really the stupidest thing I've heard a governor say in a long while.

I'm sure if McCain had heeded his advice, Culver woulda been making plans to sneak Obama into the state.

Seriously, one of these two guys is going to be the President in less than a year...they should both be there. Have them come together if you're worried about spreading your emergency services too thin.

[NorVaGal]

No, BigSid. I disagree with you that both presidential candidates should have toured distressed flood recovery zones after being asked not to come because it would cause diverting emergency personnel from the flood relief efforts. President Bush had a legitimate right to be there (much as I hate admitting it). However, Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain both expressed their concern and could have asked the governor how they could be of assistance in some other way(s).

I have experienced a presidential visit (Bill Clinton to Norfolk, Va several years ago). The logistics of preparation and security issues were astounding and tremendously disruptive. I can't imagine going through that type of circus while trying to coordinate flood relief measures. I would have thought much less of Sen. Obama if he had shown the same selfishness and disdain that Sen. McCain did.

[Buddhabman]

12 Billon a week in Iraq, yet no money to dredge the rivers, build better spilways and levees or provide adequate emergency pumpiing systems for river communities. Nice infastructre support from the Republicans.

[blueshield]

No oil in Iowa, pardner. Tough break.

[SouthFloridaDem]

This is exactly what happened here in South Florida in 2004 after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. Bush came here and wreaked complete havoc with road closings for his motorcade (for hours!) that even some emergency vehicles had trouble going through. And he tied up scores of law enforcement that were desperately needed for the recovery. All he did was go to northern Palm Beach County and, with his moronic brother Jeb, did photo ops handing out bottles of water. Meanwhile, the water and ice that was needed in the area couldn't get through because of the road closings! John McCain -- once again, exactly like George W Bush: Selfish opportunists.

[KarlaElisa]

Lovely, the very guys who have long loved the mantra " Just say no " can't.
And when I say 'can't' I really wish to replace the a with a u just for Johnny boy.

[sstnkyfeet]

What the heck is this all about? I saw on tv pics of Obama with a shovel loading sand bags, and he was being compared favorably to Bush after Katrina. Why is it ok for Obama, and not for McCain? Rush Limbaugh, eat your heart out, Huffington Post is in the house!

[woodenship]

If you had read the caption on the picture you might have noticed Obama was in Illinois, where he is their Senator and was commended for going without a big press corps and minimal disruption!

[NorVaGal]

Maybe you oughta check up on your facts, stinkyfeet. Obama was NOT filling sandbags in IOWA. He was in Illinois. In addition, he had requested permission to visit Iowa, but, did not do so because the governor asked him not to, due to the necessity of pulling needed law enforcement personnel away from the flood recovery zone in order to provide securtiy for an Obama visit. McCain went against the governor's request. Obama complied with the exact same request. What the heck was that all about???

[Lexica]

Senator Obama was filling sandbags in Illinois, which borders Iowa and also had areas in crisis.

[Amennyc]

Mc Cain you need a new casual look. The hat, and those awful sunglasees.... your just shy of appearing on NBC's predator series.

[reggieb]

Buffoon

[Grunty1]

Haven't we already had a horrible president who thinks he knows better than everybody else?
Haven't we already had a horrible president who puts his own photo ops over the good of the country and its people?

[tel8034]

McCain just wanted a photo-op after he saw the clip of Obama with his sleeves rolled up and helping out in Illinois........ IT WAS A JEALOUS REACTION.

Notice however McCAIN NEVER ONCE HELPED OUT LIKE OBAMA DID, BUT HAD NO PROBLEM GRINNING FOR THE CAMERA.

Obama respected the Iowa officials' request not to come, so that the state's resources could be best served for its people and would not have to be diverted to provide security for the candidates.

McCain ignored this because it was important for him to have his photo-op. He knew that Bush would also be in the state, and knew full well that Bush would need a state security detail as well.

McCain doesn't care about the Iowans, and did not care that his visit to the state hampered the ability of someone who might have really needed help, because resource persons had to attend to his egomania.

Karina was strike 1 for Bush/Mccain, Iowa is strike 2 .................. All talk and NO ACTION, but with the "required" photo-op being the utmost priority.

[Strywever]

Let's be fair about the fact that McCain "never once helped out like Obama did." Both of McCain's arms were damaged when he was tortured as a POW, and I suspect he isn't physically capable of filling sandbags. (Watching video of him, you can see there's something odd about the way he uses his arms, though he hides it fairly well.)

That said, I am proud of Obama for once again taking the high road -- this time by complying with the governor's request not to visit the flood zone, even though it may hurt him politically. And once again, we see that McCain is only about political advantage, and not about what's best for the country or its people.

[tel8034]

He could have tied up the bags.

In the many news clips we have seen over the past few weeks, there are many examples of senior citizens helping out.

The were placing the bags in position over the wooden frames to receive the sand, tying up the bags, and distributing the empty bags .............. Every little bit helps, and many hands makes the work lighter....... McCain could have at least passed out the empty bags.

John McCain was only there for the photo-op.

[totalliberal]

McCain went there to prove he can do nothing to help people just as well as Bush can.

(BTW, that guy beside him is pointing him toward the water. "Over there sir, that's pavement".)