Staff Reports
In a bold attempt to dodge political fallout, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embarked on a whirlwind tour of several Sun Belt states ravaged by Hurricane Helene. This state-sponsored road show, staged just five weeks shy of Election Day, aims to ward off any discontent from voters who might blame the Democrats for failing to adequately address the aftermath of this disaster. It seems that next to securing votes, appearing to care about recovery is high on the agenda.
Historically, hurricanes have served as political bellwethers. The mishandling of Hurricane Katrina by George W. Bush certainly opened the door for Barack Obama’s 2008 victory. Conversely, Obama’s efforts during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 played a pivotal role in helping him fend off Republican nominee Mitt Romney. With similar stakes on the horizon, one has to wonder if this latest photo op will be enough to convince the American people of the Biden administration’s competence—or if it will be seen as just another political smokescreen.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES: Biden, Harris hurry to disaster zones for urgent patch-up work. Key states want more than phone call. pic.twitter.com/0RdjL7GGS9
— MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) October 3, 2024
As they traversed the storm-battered landscape, Biden and Harris were under fire from former President Donald Trump. The ex-commander-in-chief accused the current administration of resting on its laurels while the hurricane wreaked havoc. Rather pointedly, Trump highlighted Harris’s choice to attend fundraisers in California amidst the chaos, suggesting that her priorities may not be in line with the pressing needs of those suffering in the South. It’s a valid point—while the nation is busy sweeping up debris, some politicians seem preoccupied with lining their own pockets.
The White House offered a defense, claiming that the security protocols surrounding Biden and Harris were crucial and would not impede local recovery operations. But the American public knows how quickly narratives can be spun. The visit to Greenville, South Carolina, was framed in a bipartisan light, with Biden thanking both Republican and Democratic leaders as if to signal the administration’s unity. Meanwhile, the president dropped a tantalizing tidbit about federal funds covering 100% of the costs for debris removal. What could be more applause-worthy?
In what amounts to a frantic exercise in damage control, Biden will also be hitting Georgia and Florida for more glad-handing and photo ops. The administration is touting over $10 million funneled directly to those affected by Hurricane Helene, as if cash flow alone can erase a natural disaster’s havoc. On the other hand, Harris promptly canceled a previously scheduled trip to Pennsylvania to refocus her sights on Augusta, Georgia—a quick pivot that feels a tad too convenient amidst the political urgency.
The efforts to send active-duty troops into the affected areas for logistical support are a step in the right direction, albeit one that raises eyebrows given the lack of preparedness mentioned by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He noted FEMA’s funding constraints while hinting at more potential hurricanes on the horizon. The question remains: Is it enough to secure public approval, or just an afterthought as the administration brushes off mounting issues? Nearly begging Congress to return and pass disaster aid legislation, Biden’s insistence that the federal government has the backs of those affected casts a rather large shadow over the reality that his administration has faced plenty of its own challenges lately.
