Donald Trump’s visit to flood-battered Baton Rouge, La., yesterday is a sign his bid for the Oval Office is heading in the right direction – especially after top Democrats were slow to respond to the disaster that has left tens of thousands flooded out of their homes, political watchers said.
Advertisement
In 2005, then-President George W Bush, a Republican, drew criticism for flying over extensively damaged New Orleans, Louisiana, and then giving a speech in the still-flooded city following Hurricane Katrina. “Though words can not express the sadness one feels at times like this, I hope everyone in Louisiana knows that our country is praying for them and standing with them to help them in these hard hours”, Mr Trump said.
Officials said about 40,000 homes were impacted by the floods, and more than 86,000 people had so far registered for federal aid – with that number expected to grow.
Friday afternoon, the White House announced that Obama will visit Louisiana next Tuesday.
Edwards has said that he would prefer the president wait a few weeks before visiting, as the huge presidential security undertaking involved would interfere with recovery efforts.
“We need every person to focus on continuing to rescue people”, the state’s Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser told MSNBC, agreeing with Mr Edwards.
Edwards said he was not given advance notice of Trump’s trip Friday.
“You’re going to be fine”, Trump told volunteers, before taking a swipe at Obama.
In a statement released by his office late Thursday, a spokesperson for Gov. Edwards said, “Donald Trump hasn’t called the governor to inform him of his visit. Instead we hope he’ll consider volunteering or making a sizable donation to the LA Flood Relief Fund to help the victims of the storm”.
“My heart breaks for Louisiana, and right now, the relief effort can’t afford any distractions”, she said on Facebook, directing people to support organisations providing assistance. “The very best way this team can help is to make sure Louisianans have the resources they need”.
It suggested that the flood impact may be greater than first thought.
Trump met with individual homeowners and a group of volunteers at a church outside Baton Rouge, where days of torrential rain caused rivers to overflow their banks, sending walls of water crashing into neighborhoods across central Louisiana.
Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeffrey Wiley, who said he was in the briefing, told CNN that the candidate’s visit helped bring much-needed national attention to the disaster.
The lack of coverage has been so noticeable that several news organizations have done stories on the lack of stories.
In a statement, the White House said Obama has been receiving updates on the Louisiana flooding during his vacation with his family at Martha’s Vineyard.
“Obama should recognize that leadership involves symbolism as well as substance”, The Advocate said in an editorial. “The people of Louisiana deserve nothing less from the President”, Christie concluded.
Advertisement
Mr Obama granted the designation to 20 of the state’s 64 parishes – Louisiana’s equivalent to counties.
