Staff Reports
Hurricane Helene has taken a toll on the southeastern and Appalachian regions, but instead of immediate responses and support, the Biden-Harris administration’s reaction has become a rolling circus of blame-shifting and media spin. Misery doesn’t love company when it’s the American people getting drenched. Yet, the mainstream media, especially POLITICO, seems all too eager to rally behind the federal government as it fumbles through an unfolding disaster.
While one might expect serious coverage of a hurricane barreling toward Florida, POLITICO dedicated its energy to a gentle finger-wagging about “misinformation,” wasting little time diluting the seriousness of 150 mph winds and life-threatening storm surges. It’s almost like they believe the real threat is the inevitable social media chatter that follows such disasters. In their latest edition, the tragic winds of Helene are overshadowed by a tempest of discontent stemming from political maneuvering. Meanwhile, the administration seems far more concerned about sitting shiva for the perception of its handling than actually handling it.
Category 5 Hurricane Milton with sustained 180mph winds to hit Florida, evacuations ordered. When your Insurance fails to cover damages thank Ron DeSantis for taking payoffs from Insurers then passing laws allowing Insurers to raise rates 203% & Cover No damage at all.#VoteBlue pic.twitter.com/GR7t0WToPR
— Pat (Not Given) (@talkatone2016) October 9, 2024
As the storm preps for its landfall, the White House appears to be more interested in playing the blame game than managing an emergency. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has made debunking online rumors of conspiracy theories a priority. Apparently, fabrications online are more damaging than the very real loss of life and property occurring in Florida. The administration’s battle plan involves dodging accountability while local officials scramble to secure assistance for their communities. There’s an uncanny irony in the White House urging everyone to unite, while simultaneously sowing division over who gets credit for the aid that’s desperately needed.
And on the ground in Florida, the reactions are as varied as the storm’s path. Governor Ron DeSantis remains laser-focused on the looming hurricane, notably by demurring calls from Vice President Harris. Harris made a quip about “leadership” but DeSantis, apparently wised up to her antics since he sometimes plays political football with her, made it clear that he is uninterested in her politicizing efforts during a crisis. One could almost hear a collective eye roll from Floridians who’ve noticed that Harris’s interest only peaks when her political ambitions are at stake.
As the storm bears down, POLITICO persistently lights an investigative torch over “misinformation” while playing their own brand of political gamesmanship. They’ve managed to spin quite the narrative around DeSantis without acknowledging that the hurricane has bigger implications than just politics. Besides, anyone paying attention knows that the Biden administration has had a bit of a rocky track record responding to disasters. The Biden-Harris duo passing off their disaster response obligations to focus on foreign humanitarian aid also raises eyebrows—a curious choice when Americans could use a lifeline at home.
In a ridiculous twist, while FEMA finds itself in a position akin to a ship adrift at sea, POLITICO continues its mission to shield the agency and drown out dissenting voices. From prioritizing equity initiatives to misallocating resources, it’s baffling that the focus is diverted away from American citizens towards assisting illegal immigrants. The whole affair resembles a high-stakes game of dodgeball, where every toss goes to absolve the administration rather than serve the American public in their hour of need. What is clear is that the hurricane isn’t just a test of nature, but also a glaringly unfiltered demonstration of the mismanagement and the political warfare that accompanies it.
