NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok...seriously here.

Having gone through two hurricanes in a month and seeing the destruction and the mess that has yet to be cleaned up I have only one thing to ask.

Where is Kerry?

Florida is such an important state and Bush has been here twice helping out, why is Kerry not here? It has been noted by our local news people.

We have his wife making sure that aid gets sent to foreign countries to help them out, but Kerry has not made ONE appearance here to help out.

While i personally could not care less if he does come here or not, I do find it odd that he would allow his wife to work toward helping others without offering help for Americans first.

Thoughts?

Actually Bush has been down here three times. Kerry came to Charlotte County a couple of days after Hurricane Charley hit when he said he was not going to then quickly left because their was no cameras around to tape him.

Actually Bush has been down here three times. Kerry came to Charlotte County a couple of days after Hurricane Charley hit when he said he was not going to then quickly left because their was no cameras around to tape him.

Now THATS funny!! I had not heard that one.

Maybe his wife would like us to run around naked for awhile as well...;)

Actually Bush has been down here three times. Kerry came to Charlotte County a couple of days after Hurricane Charley hit when he said he was not going to then quickly left because their was no cameras around to tape him.
Or, to put a different spin on it, left before the cameras got there, seeing as campaigning for the White House to someone who's just lost their house smacks of political opportunism.

Or, to put a different spin on it, left before the cameras got there, seeing as campaigning for the White House to someone who's just lost their house smacks of political opportunism.

Isn't that pretty much what campaigning is about?

Now THATS funny!! I had not heard that one.

Maybe his wife would like us to run around naked for awhile as well...;)

Actually my house was lucky to not get close to Charley's eye but i cant say the same for my church.

[QUOTE=Spoffin]Or, to put a different spin on it, left before the cameras got there, seeing as campaigning for the White House to someone who's just lost their house smacks of political opportunism.[/QUOTE

That's one way to put it

Isn't that pretty much what campaigning is about?
Political opportunism? I suppose so, but there are levels, y-know.

It was in balance to the "Kerry doesn't give a shit" spin.

He could have shown up with some water and ice like Bush did, but I guess that would be asking too much huh?

Or, to put a different spin on it, left before the cameras got there, seeing as campaigning for the White House to someone who's just lost their house smacks of political opportunism.

That's one way to put it
It was in balance to the "Kerry doesn't give a shit" spin.

Either way your right

Actually my house was lucky to not get close to Charley's eye but i cant say the same for my church.

I had no damage from either storm, but I did have a tree come down. They finally came and hauled it away after a month.

Kerry has really blown it. He has shown that he really does not care about us down here. Not that I thought he did anyway. Far be it from him to get his hands dirty, they are too soft, he might get a splinter. ;)

oh biff cut it out, you know that if kerry had been down there you would have whined that he was getting his fat face on the TV while just getting in the way

the PRESIDENT went down because he is the president. he didnt "help out" he assessed the damage to make sure that the right stuff was gonna get done. that is his job. im sure he did it well.

it is NOT kerrys job to make sure that fema is on the ball. all he could do is get in the way in an effort to look sympathetic. so he stayed out of the way. it makes sense to me.

besides im pretty sure he is in albuquerque today.

oh biff cut it out, you know that if kerry had been down there you would have whined that he was getting his fat face on the TV while just getting in the way

the PRESIDENT went down because he is the president. he didnt "help out" he assessed the damage to make sure that the right stuff was gonna get done. that is his job. im sure he did it well.

it is NOT kerrys job to make sure that fema is on the ball. all he could do is get in the way in an effort to look sympathetic. so he stayed out of the way. it makes sense to me.

besides im pretty sure he is in albuquerque today.

Well, Bush came down twice and helped out with the relief efforts. He handed out water and ice and some food. He spoke with people and took an interest in their problems. He asked about peoples concerns and took an interest. Kerry could do the same thing could he not? Instead his wife takes it upon herself to help out people in other countries.... spin it anyway you want to, the fact is that he has not given two shakes about what is going on here.

As for FEMA.....I have not seen them handing out any aid either. Oh they have a 1-800 number you can call for some money, but you better know what you are in for if you accept it.

Well, Bush came down twice and helped out with the relief efforts. He handed out water and ice and some food. He spoke with people and took an interest in their problems. He asked about peoples concerns and took an interest. Kerry could do the same thing could he not? Instead his wife takes it upon herself to help out people in other countries.... spin it anyway you want to, the fact is that he has not given two shakes about what is going on here.
Wow, thats great. And while he was doing that, how many cops were divererted from their duties to keep crossroads clear for a presidential motorcade? I understand that it may be a comfort (as well as a damn good photo op) for major politicians to be down there, but turning a disaster zone into a media circus doesn't help anyone.

He did not come by motorcade he came on Marine 1

Wow, thats great. And while he was doing that, how many cops were divererted from their duties to keep crossroads clear for a presidential motorcade? I understand that it may be a comfort (as well as a damn good photo op) for major politicians to be down there, but turning a disaster zone into a media circus doesn't help anyone.

Good try, but it does show that Bush considers us and our needs more than Kerry does. I was expecting both of them to be down here doing everything they could to help out, but Kerry is a no show. His wife is making sure that someone is getting some help though. Too bad they can't vote though.

Meh!

If he did go through the area, people probably would have been bitching that he was using it for publicity purposes.

The shrub would NEVER do that right? ;)

Meh!

If he did go through the area, people probably would have been bitching that he was using it for publicity purposes.

The shrub would NEVER do that right? ;)

Some might....just as some might say Bush did the same. But more than likely they would have appreciated it. I would have loved some ice when I needed it. But I know enough not to rely on anyone but myself.

Good try, but it does show that Bush considers us and our needs more than Kerry does. I was expecting both of them to be down here doing everything they could to help out, but Kerry is a no show. His wife is making sure that someone is getting some help though. Too bad they can't vote though.

shows that they care more about people than votes.

We all know Floridians are getting plenty of help. Noone needs Kerry there to hand out water and ice. lol.

Interestingly enough, I saw a news report where a relief working was waiting for the president to get out of the way so he could get to work.

On the merits of whether or not a natural disaster should be a campaign stop-sure it would have been great for Kerry to show up, but it would have slowed down real relief in the area and since, unlike the president, he doesn't have an alternative pretext for being down there it is a bit opportunistic and would slow things down. Image vs. real effect I guess. But really Biff, c'mon-you act as if Kerry had showed up you would be voting for him. It takes more than a wool sweater to make you look like a sheep. (place your bets on how that reference will go awry...)

Conversly, it takes far more than not showing up at a natural disaster for the photo op to convince me not to vote for Kerry.

Good try, but it does show that Bush considers us and our needs more than Kerry does. I was expecting both of them to be down here doing everything they could to help out, but Kerry is a no show. His wife is making sure that someone is getting some help though. Too bad they can't vote though.
Theres no way that you'd be saying the same thing if Kerry was there and Bush hadn't turned up.

Theres no way that you'd be saying the same thing if Kerry was there and Bush hadn't turned up.

I think I would....if Bush had not shown up as President, I would have called him on it as well. As it is, Kerry did not really surprise me. He got a very cool welcome from the National Guard today and he looked very nervous while speaking to them. He should be nervous, he has no respect from the military or veterans.

I may be best qualified here to answer this so far given that my home and business were substantially damaged by hurricane Charley, the eye of which passed over one of my offices and within a few miles of my home. I know enough of the local leadership to have a fair insight into the inside scoop.

And I am going to be pretty easy of Kerry. (For those who know me,

please stop gasping and catch your breath) I have been passing out supplies and aid, helping with roofing and in general getting people back on their way to being on their knees (progress from flat on their back, feet next). Even though I had damage, I still am healthy and able to help.

Locally the work volunteers can do has dwindled much, but now there are other duties.

Kerry DID make a brief appearance here. He made some brief public appearances, cheezed for a few TV cameras, then boogied on outa dodge.
Brothers Bush came through, each surveying the damage and speaking/meeting with the locals. They really didn't require much of a
police escort and they brought their own secret service escorts.

Kerry was critisized privately by many in the local media for his opportunism. He was here only to get his picture and on TV. He did not speak to any radio stations. Considering that radio was about the only media most people here had access to it was quite a snub. It gave the appearance he was here for the opportunity than for the outreach.

Both Bush's spent a fair amount of time speaking with all media and
many local organizations. In fairness, Kerry really had no business
being in Punta Gorda. It just does not fall under the juristiction of
a Mass. Senator. I cannot fail him for leaving quickly. He had no
place being here any more than Governor Schwartzenegger would. A brief
appearance was prudent.

The Governor and President meanwhile did and do have juristiction and
were therefore rightly involved in local matters. There is not a person in town who wasn't comforted by seeing state and national leadership in town viewing first hand the devastation. The Governor in particular has been active - far more than most people realize. He has often been where cameras are not.

Now another community has been hit hard. SW Florida still needs help
and now the panhandle is in need too. The three things that anyone
interested in helping can do are

1) If you have construction experience there is a serious shortage of
construction workers.
2) Send Money to relief charities. It is easier to move and coordinate money than supplies.
3) Donate blood. Money cannot buy it, and much of Florida is in short
supplies both from need as well as lack of ability for locals to donate.