On the heels of a successful speech, Republican Nominee Donald J. Trump and his running mate, Governor Mike Pence, flew into Baton Rouge, LouisianaFriday morning to visit the surrounding communities of Denham Springs and the city of Central.
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Trump’s campaign team was changed again on Friday when Paul Manafort resigned as chairman days after the candidate effectively demoted him in a leadership shake-up.
Some 40,000 homes were damaged and at least 13 people died in a deluge that dumped more than 2-1/2 feet (0.76 metre) on parts of Louisiana in what has been described as the worst US disaster since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
President Barack Obama said he was also eager for a firsthand look at the damage done by floods that damaged more than 40,000 homes and killed at least 13 people, announcing plans to visit Baton Rouge on Tuesday.
Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger F. Villere, Jr. welcomed Trump to the state saying, “America is at sea without a captain and with Donald J. Trump’s visit, he’s showed that he’s willing to lead and govern all Americans”.
But Obama, who’s now vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard, has yet to visit the stricken state despite calls from local media to cut his vacation short.
Clinton’s announcement comes after a high-profile visit last week by Trump and his running mate, Mike Pence, and follows the decision by the Obama administration to schedule a trip there this Tuesday.
“The flooding there is bigger than anyone expected”, said the statement.
Hillary Clinton said Friday on Facebook that after talking with Edwards she would not be visiting the region, keeping the full focus there on flood recovery efforts.
“The current flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy”, Brad Kieserman, vice president for Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross, said in a statement. Obama declared a federal disaster for Louisiana over the weekend. “The president is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts”, the White House said in a statement.
Some 86,500 people have already filed for federal aid following the historic levels of rainfall, while thousands have sought refuge in shelters. “I would just as soon have those people engaged in the response rather than trying to secure the president”.
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“My heart breaks for Louisiana, and right now, the relief effort can’t afford any distractions”, he appealed.
