Governor John Bel Edwards, on CNN Sunday morning said the Trump and Pence trip to Louisiana was beneficial for the state.
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After Trump’s visit, the White House announced that Obama would visit Baton Rouge to meet with area leaders and view flood-affected areas on Tuesday.
While Bel Edwards was complimentary of Trump’s efforts, he held a press conference Thursday saying having President Barack Obama, who was also in Martha’s Vineyard, although not at the Clinton findraiser, would be a disruption to recovery efforts.
The responses of politicians including Trump and President Obama to the flooding in Louisiana – and the public’s response to their responses – demonstrate how quickly a disaster can turn political, as politicians walk the thin line between engaging with affected areas and drawing attention for personal gain.
“Natural disasters hurt all Americans – rich and poor, black, white and Latino, male and female”.
“When you saw the people along the route and as he went into the homes, to see a presidential candidate come down here, it lifts them up”. A presidential visit is exponentially more complicated than Donald Trump flying in on his private jet, signing a few autographs, and pretending to care.
Ten days after a stationary weather system resulted in flash flooding in Louisiana, Hillary Clinton finally came up with a response.
“We spoke for a long time Friday morning about their desire to be helpful”, Edwards said.
“My heart breaks for Louisiana, and right now, the relief effort can’t afford any distractions”, Ms. Clinton wrote on Facebook.
The best way to help Louisianans affected by these bad floods is to make sure they have the resources they need today. That is what we must do now in Louisiana, and I am committed to standing with Louisianans every step of the way.
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In speaking with CNN’s Dana Bash on his comments on the Trump, Pence trip, Edwards clarified that he did not dismiss the trip as a photo-op but urged Trump not to use the trip as such.
