This weekend’s kerfuffle over visits to storm-wracked Louisiana illustrated two important points: One is that you can rely on politicians — and the press — to act political. The other is that when trouble comes, you and your neighbors had better be ready, because the government doesn’t have your back.
On the political front, a piece in The Hill noted a typical double standard: When then-President George W. Bush flew over New Orleans in Air Force One, but didn’t land, during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he was roundly denounced as aloof, uncaring, and out-of-touch. But last week, when President Obama chose to stay on Martha’s Vineyard, and play golf and fund-raise after a storm dumped three times as much rain as Katrina on Lousiana, causing devastating and widespread floods, the press largely gave Obama a pass, something especially notable given how Obama had savaged Bush on that topic.
Meanwhile, Republican nominee Donald Trump visited Louisiana and helped unload a truck full of aid supplies before visiting victims. Hillary phoned the governor but then headed to the Vineyard herself. Sure, at least some federal help is already on the ground in Louisiana, but the Obama administration irked many Louisianans by sending along with it a memo warning them not to engage in racial discrimination during rescue and recovery operations.
Under pressure from Trump, Obama announced that he’d visit on Tuesday, after his vacation. But the folks in Louisiana, while perhaps grateful for the attention, would probably rather have more help.
by Glenn Reynolds
