I have had a good time over the last couple of days ridiculing John McCain's grandstanding about Hurricane Gustav, from implying that the cancelation of elements of the National Convention were made necessary because McCain might have to rush to New Orleans to the ridiculous of saying that the Republicans would have to put on the "American Hats".
I don't regret the ridicule a bit. It was merited by Senator McCain. And,as it turned out, Hurricane Gustave camn ashore much weaker that predicted and had minimal impact on New Orleans, although other areas of the gulf coastwere more strongly impacted.
But watching the reports from Louisiana, I was struck by the way in which the political parties did respond to the Gustave once it had struck. The Louisiana National Guard had been sent to the affected areas to provide security. Both the McCain campaign and the Obama campaigned began contacting people on the e-mail and telephone lists to seek volunteers to go to Louisiana and solicit donations and support to help those affected.
In this case, the local government and the state government all acted promptly and correctly. The Mayor of New Orleans and other cities issued calls to evacuate. The state government cooperated in the evacuation procedure. After the storm struck, the state acted to maintain order and prevent looting. And the two candidates for President acted to secure volunteers, if needed in the area, and voluntary donations to help those who needed help. And all of this was as it should be. The presidential campaigns, in other words, are acting responsibly and as private organizations to supplement state and local efforts.
As long as the two campaigns do not start squabbling about which party is more generous or suggesting that if their candidate for President makes it to the White House state and local and voluneer efforts will be unnecessary, everybody mentioned deserves praise.
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Published: Monday, September 1, 2008
Last modified: Monday, September 1, 2008
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