McCain's Disastrous Politics of Gustav

Today, Obama stated that he would stay out of the way as Hurricane Gustav once again threatens the Gulf Coast. Even Bush, who three years ago celebrated Katrina's landfall at John McCain's birthday party, is staying away.

What does McCain do? Just like he did when he traveled to a market place in Baghdad, he puts the lives of Americans in danger, and diverts the mission for his own personal political gain. He will travel to the Gulf Coast to give a speech while emergency professionals are urging people to leave. Not only is it political grandstanding, it's a disgusting display of the type of bad leadership we would see if John McCain became President.

Preparedness for hurricanes is serious business. When it's done right, emergency managers control the airwaves, the message, and urge political leaders to stay out of the way so they can make sure people and property are safe. Senators and Congressmen are briefed, but told to stay out of the way and wait until they find out what resources are needed, and then make it happen. The governor takes cues from the Emergency Management director of the state: brief people to get out, show leadership, be honest, and make the calls for resources that need to be made. The President turns the keys to government over to the FEMA director to make sure resources flow properly and stands by to twist arms if needed. The business of disasters is left to disaster professionals with politicians playing a supporting role.

Now admittedly, we haven't seen that in recent years, but when government works for people, this is how it happens.

But not in 2008, and not when John McCain is sucking wind on a political campaign.

Now, some Americans will see McCain's trip as "leadership" but just as John McCain's visit to a marketplace in Baghdad resulted in three Blackhawk helicopters and hundreds of soldiers being ordered to protect his photo op stroll through the market, this could be deadly.

It's a complete disregard for the mission and the government professionals at all levels attempting to keep people safe.

John McCain's mere suggestion that he should go there shows his horrific and dangerous judgment. If it actually happens, which hopefully it does not, then he will actually be doing harm. Because he is a presidential candidate, air traffic stops when he lands, roads are closed, and press follow him. Secret service and law enforcement personnel have to make sure everything is secure. That means all of these things STOP WORKING to make the area safer for the people getting out and protecting their homes. The only thing working in the favor of emergency management professionals are the noticeably small crowds at McCain events...so perhaps people will not be motivated to stay around.

These are the very reasons Obama and Biden dismissed the suggestion of travel immediately when asked. He's talked to Jindal--a man on McCain's short list for veep--and has expressed help. Trips of politicians often happen after major storms, but when doing these, the main goal is to highlight the devastation in order to secure the resources needed to fix it. It appears these gentlemen get it, and McCain is out of touch in a truly dangerous way.

McCain's suggestion of a visit will waste precious hours in getting resources in at a time when hours and minutes make all the difference. It will impact news coverage which should otherwise be used to urge people to get out through the proper channels, not political parties.

The Republican suggestion that they may postpone their convention is understandable in some ways. This is, after all, a major emergency. I do think there are many who see this as a political opportunity to not have an embarrassing show that follows one that was amazing the Democrats had this week. They've floated the idea of a telethon to raise money. Political grandstanding? Sure, but at least it could do some good and you're not in the way.

But a visit? Senator McCain, that would be a disaster for the country. Your truly reckless act would show once and for all that you actually would be worse than President Bush.

Follow Moira Whelan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mdub12

Comments

[blueroses70]

I lived in Louisiana for many years and everyone I've spoken with over the past day or so down there is offended by McCain's opportunistic and inconvenient visit during the evacuation.

[mogran]

Pres. Bush made it very clear that he would not be traveling to LA, because he did not want official, first responder distracted by his visit. So why is John McCain going? oh, my bad, he is a POW.

[rayj412]

Great article! What is wrong with the old dude. He is so very selfish. He is always screaming 'country first", does he actually know what that means or does it just sound good to him. I really hope people are paying attention to the way he runs his campaign and the choices that he is making now. I certainly hope we don't have to deal with his crap for years to come. He is pathetic.

[veteran1964]

The only way to correct the situation is for EVERYONE to go out to VOTE and bring their friends to VOTE....Th­is is the only way.....Ta­lking is great, but VOTING is the greatest..­..GO VOTE in November.

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

McCain traveled to Mississippi not NOLA

[SurrealPumpkin]

Mississippi is also in the storm path. Hurricanes are huge.

[susiede]

Actually, the time first RESPONDERS do not need interference is when they are RESPONDING. McCain was careful NOT to intrude on preparations.
Nice comments by Don Fowler...t­he Democrats are at a new and desperate LOW.

[SurrealPumpkin]

The First Responders will be responding for days. Trees down, traffic lights out, damaged buildings, flooded areas. It doesn't end when the storm blows over.

[LemonMeringue]

Why would McCain burden New Orleans and the Secret Service with a photo op?

[pinkbunny]

The idea of McCain going down to Louisiana during the confusion of the hurricane is ridiculous. There is first of all only 1 president at a time, secondly, there could be resources being diverted to co-ordinate with the Secret Service to ensure the security of McCain and the VP, thirdly, it could potentially take up hotel space for the two and their entourage, where refugees looking for temporary shelter in hotels could benefit.

Finally it smacks of politicization of a situation for his campaign benefit, and not really true concern of the Gulf Coast habitants.

This image brings to mind, the idiot George Bush landing in a helicopter down on a carrier deck in a flight suit, with the stupid Mission Accomplished sign.

Like a little boy playing hero.

[jethrock]

This is a blog I can believe in.

[ceejaygee]

Let's not forget McCain's pathetic voting record against aid for Katrina victims. This hypocrite has some nerve showing up down here at all. What a phony!

[BabsfromKansas]

Excellent article - thank you!

[MissDaphne]

You know, I actually used to kind of respect this guy.
Doesn't he know that politicians at the scene of a disaster are IN THE WAY? And keep hard working rescuers from doing their jobs?
Disgusting to put his entourage and those responsible for them in greater difficulty, all for a photo op.

[GLaB]

Those evil Republicans:

""June 14, 2008 12:49 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama lent a helping hand in his home state by volunteering to fill sandbags in a community threatened by the massive Midwest floods.

The presidential candidate -- no doubt looking for a very presidential photo-op -- will visit a flood preparation zone in Quincy, Ill. Quincy sits on the Mississippi River, and the governor has issued predisaster flood declarations for seven countries along the water for flooding that is anticipated to set in on Wednesday. ""


Oooops - that should be "Democrats­."

[jazzman]

So when will the MSM report on the amount of resources that must be diverted from preparing for the Hurricane in order to offer security and set up for McCain's photo op?

I think the anwer is: NEVER!

[Crog63]

Thanks Moira. It's about time somebody started writing about McCain's bad judgement again rather then focusing all attention on his VP selection. McCain truly is clueless. Obama is right, he just doesn't get it.

[deja669]

Excellent article! I had the exact same thoughts earlier today when I heard McBush was going down to NOLA (and Palin is supposed to go too). Usually you would want to go after the storm hits to evaluate the damage and that's only after FEMA and the local folks have given there ok. This is surely political grandstanding. McBush should be ashamed.