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
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Wow!!! Thank you for this article. What is his point? Why get in people's way?
AND the GOPers are trying to claim that no oil spilled during Katrina. They will also try to use this a disgusting political oppty by LYING about oil spills during hurricanes in the gulf. We MUST not let them get away with this. Here is the report with PROOF that off-shore spills WILL occur during huricanes and DID occur during Katrina:
http://www
Moira, you are absolutely right. I have some expertise in this field and have researched and written in it. The last thing any of the professionals want, the last thing the residents of the Gulf need, is the distraction of a political candidate and the media dog and pony show associated with it. This, along with his pick for VP, indicates that Senator McCain is NOT putting country first!
Thank you for writing this article. When I heard what he was planning earlier today, these were my exact thoughts. It seems everything McCain does lately is political pandering, including his selection of Palin as his VP candidate. I also wonder just why Cindy McCain went to the country of Georgia. We haven't heard anything about it since she returned home. I kind of wonder if there was an alternative motive, beyond just checking on the casualties and the typical political posturing. Considering that Russia is now accusing the administration of using this conflict for political campaign purposes, it makes me suspicious.
perfectly said.
This the real legacy of Bush, that talking tough is seen as being tough and that the visual of leadership is mistaken for the real thing. McCain spent weeks saying Obama was putting the campaign before America, when too words for McCain, Palin and Gustov.
Nice shout at that Bush was at McCain's Bday party when Katrina hit.
J
Excellent article. This is is type of thing diehard McC supporters don't take the time to think about. McCain can't do a damn thing under any authority. What he is trying to prove is beyond me. The best thing the Reublicans could have done is continue with their convention plans and take disaster donations to send to affected areas. McC is a phony, his actions are proving it with his poor decision process.
As my entire family evacuates New Orleans once again, it makes me furious to think that McCain would try a stunt like this. After Katrina, helicopter rescue runs were halted so that Bush could do his ridiculous flyover of the city in Air Force One. Apparently, the president's "security" required that the city's airspace be cleared. So desperate New Orleanians were left stranded on their roofs so that Bush could have a photo opportunity. Now, McCain is going to do the same thing. I guess the Republicans feel like New Orleans hasn't suffered enough from their misrule.
He went to see the floods, too, when asked to stay away.
As someone who personally evacuated family from Katrina, I know firsthand the comfort of having their leaders "on the ground" with you. Bush's biggest mistake business as usual during Katrina. The Obama response is tepid. Instead of saying he "could" mobilize his volunteers, he needs to mobilize his volunteers because we can't afford business as usual right now and to reinforce that his campaign is about Americans not about him. Another, perhaps controversial, suggestion. John Edwards carries a lot of water in New Orleans after Katrina. He arrived early and stayed late, working long after the media moved on to the "next thing." Obama should consider asking him to take on the coordination of volunteers. Sen. Landrieu makes a strong case that the levees and wetlands are the real culprit. Obama needs a two pronged response: coordinated grass roots relief (including Obama visiting the region) and calling attention with Landrieu to the Bush failure to fix the levees/wetlands. The Repubs are getting a gift--their lackluster convention is fixed now--it's all about the hurricane victims. They all plan to fly down and volunteer, which will be captured on camera and interposed with images of the Democrats partying. The events didn't occur simultaneously, but never underestimate their ability to say black is white, while Dems say, "have you no shame." They have no shame. Get over it and get going Gustav is the October surprise.
Each time a decision is made it is short-sighted, rash and self indulgent ..........
Everyday he shows his true colors.
"I pity the fool" ~ Mr. T
Will he be bringing cake?
Katrina -- aug 29 2005
http://www
Meanwhile Obama offered to help with his e-mail connections and new technology instead of a photo op. Way to go Obama people.
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