Hurricane offers political silver lining (for bushie?)

[Kadie]

Hurricane offers political silver lining

By CALVIN WOODWARD, Associated Press


Last Updated: August 13, 2004, 01:26:00 PM PDT


WASHINGTON (AP) - Once Hurricane Charley is gone from Florida, it's a safe bet President Bush will sweep in. Natural calamities present political opportunity, and many crucial electoral votes are in the path of Charley's howling winds.
Even before Charley's landfall on Friday, Bush was considering a request from his brother Jeb, the governor, to make a disaster declaration expediting federal aid, and he was expected to visit the area in the aftermath.

Officials are loathe to ascribe campaign motives to emergency response, but politics infuses everything this close to an election. No more so than in the state that handed Bush the presidency.

"This provides both opportunities and real dangers for the president," said Dario Moreno, a Florida International University political scientist who was safe from the storm in Miami.

Presidents are measured by the aid and sympathy that follow a big hit from nature, and Moreno said Bush stands to gain as long as he treats the emergency as more than a chance to roll up his sleeves and clear a bit of rubble for the cameras.

"If he looks like he's doing this for a photo opportunity, it's going to backfire on him," he said. "He has to make sure FEMA and the emergency aid responders are working around the clock and without a hitch."

more...
http://www.modbee.com/24hour/politics/story/1566783p-9154537c.html

[Bluebear]

1. Typical. They don't even wait until it's over before calculating politics

[yellowcanine]

2. It's a two edged sword. Not likely anyone is going to switch to Bush

but some sure may turn away from him if it looks like he is "playing" it.

[TransitJohn]

3. I _*KNEW*_ those evil bastards

had a weather machine!!!!!!!!:tinfoilhat:

[Padraig18]

4. Development management.

I wonder how much focus will be put on the now-gutted development management planning? The Repubs gutted the well thought-out plans put in place by our party's Florioda leadership, and they will be responsible for so much needless destruction and (potentially) loss of life.

[lancdem]

5. Remember, FEMA isn't what it was under Clinton

and don't forget how the federal government's poor response to Andrew in 1992 hurt Poppy.

[kodi]

6. help his daddy much in florida with hurricane andrew in '92?

.

[sandnsea]

7. Without a hitch?

Look out Florida, this is going to be the worst hurricane management situation you've ever experienced. Bush fucks everything up, I have no doubt he'll fuck this up too.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Depends on how building regulations were enforced

Republicans believe builders have all the integrity needed without the pesky ol' gov't. coming in and enforcing/requiring them.
Democrats are all about gov't oversight, while 'pubs run from it.

Let's see how post Andrew codes play out.

[Eurobabe]

9. My first though when Jebbie was jabberin'

on MSGOP and they flashed the 'President Bush Declares Areas Disaster Areas' on the bottom of screen.

Anybody smell a bullhorn scene coming on here?

[ThePhilosopher04]

10. There is no question Bush will pimp Charley as long as he can...

but as was pointed out, Andrew didn't help Bush I very much. All politics aside, I hope the federal government does all it can for the good people of Florida, who could care less about who is President at this very moment.

[Spike from MN]

11. Hurricane Charley is God's way of punishing Florida

for letting * kiss McCain on the forehead. That one action alone proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that * is gay and now the poor citizens of Florida are facing the wrath of God for allowing a public display of affection between two people of the same gender. Someone had better warn the religious right that a vote for * is a vote for Satan. Hell, I'm an atheist and even I can see that much. ;)

Note: no offense to gays intended. Just to * and the radical religious right.

[Gloria]

12. Are there enough National Guardspeople left in FL to handle this?

Just asking......