Obama says he doesn’t ‘worry too much about politics’ as November election looms
President Obama’s Tuesday trip to flood-battered Louisiana may have turned into a political football, but he says he hasn’t paid it much mind.
Obama batted down a question about the trip being politicized during a press conference in Baton Rouge, La.
“First of all, one of the benefits of being five months short of living here [at the White House] is I don’t worry too much about politics,” he replied. “The second thing I have seen historically is that when disasters strike, that’s probably one of the few times where Washington tends not to get political.”
Donald Trump and others criticized Obama for not shortening his vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., to visit the region sooner. More than a week ago, torrential rain struck the area and caused widespread devastation. Flash flooding killed at least 13 people and displaced thousands.
On Tuesday, Obama toured Baton Rouge’s ravaged neighborhoods and met with Louisianans severely affected by the Gulf storm. He said party affiliation was the furthest thing from locals’ minds as the community came together to rebuild.
“I guarantee you, nobody on this block, none of those first responders, nobody gives a hoot whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican,” he said. “What they care about is making sure they are getting the drywall out and the carpet out and there’s not any mold building and they get some contractors in here and they start rebuilding as soon as possible. That’s what they care about. That’s what I care about.”
Trump, who visited the region on Friday, was not satisfied by Obama’s visit.
President Obama should have gone to Louisiana days ago, instead of golfing. Too little, too late!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2016
Aboard Air Force One, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Obama is used to people “trying to score political points even in situations where they shouldn’t.”
On Aug. 14, Obama signed a major disaster declaration that made federal funding available to resident and local governments affected by the flooding.
“We want to make sure we do it right. We want to make sure we do it systematically,” Obama said at the news conference. “But the one thing I just want to repeat is how proud I am of FEMA.”
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