Staff Reports
President Joe Biden is back in the spotlight, this time donning his disaster relief hat as he promises to throw open the federal coffers for the states of Georgia and Florida in the wake of Hurricane Helene. With the storm’s death toll climbing above 200 and the Southeast still reeling, Biden’s remarks seem less about heartfelt compassion and more about keeping his administration from being labeled the biggest disaster of them all.
Biden took the opportunity to channel his inner Jimmy Carter, who just hit the century mark like a boss. The president predictably pulled a quote from Carter about perseverance, perhaps hoping that a little nostalgia would soften the blow of his administration’s own ongoing challenges. The irony, of course, is that even Carter probably wouldn’t want to be associated with Biden’s chaotic approach to crises today.
“Days before the storm hit, I pre-positioned extensive resources on the ground throughout the Southeast, extensively — first responders, search and rescue teams, food, water, ambulances — before Helene made landfall,” Mr. Biden said. https://t.co/2eyoTShlx3
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 4, 2024
As the president zipped around Georgia, he visited a pecan farm near Valdosta like it was just another day on the campaign trail rather than a serious national emergency. His tour began in Tallahassee, Florida, proving that while he may not make a stop in every small town, he will make it to the farms where pecans are king. Nothing says empathy quite like a photo op at a nut farm following a catastrophic storm.
A quick aerial jaunt over flood-damaged regions in North Carolina and South Carolina was part of Biden’s disaster reconnaissance. However, seeing the devastation from thousands of feet up is likely not as informative as actually listening to the people on the ground. He did take an operational briefing in Raleigh, which seems like a solid move for someone who often appears to be out of touch, yet one can’t help but think he should consult people living through the flood, not just the bureaucrats.
In between attempts to steer clear of politics during such a critical time—something Biden reassured the public about—he announced federal assistance levels that sound commendable but are fraught with discrepancies. Full federal assistance for search and rescue and debris removal for North Carolina? Sure. But just 90 days of similar support for Florida and Georgia? One can’t help but wonder if the timeline reflects political considerations rather than genuine humanitarian concern. With 40,000 disaster assistance applications in the pipeline and a mere $6 million distributed thus far, it seems like there’s a long road ahead before people in these states see any real relief from their storm-battered plight.
