Not visiting disaster sites carries risk for politicians
KOKOMO, Ind. — In a dramatic, made-for-camera arrival, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence stepped off a Black Hawk helicopter to tour tornado-damaged neighborhoods last week, giving out hugs and promising swift assistance a day after several twisters touched down.
The people of this city about an hour north of Indianapolis were grateful for the attention.
“It means a lot that they are taking time out of their schedules,” said Heidi Otiker, who was clearing debris from her yard when Pence stopped by with TV crews and reporters. If he stayed away, she said, it would have cost him votes: “If you can’t come out and support us in our time of need, why should we support you in your time of need?”
The Republican vice presidential candidate’s decision to quickly leave the campaign trail came just days after he and running mate Donald Trump criticized President Barack Obamafor delaying a tour of
devastating Louisiana flooding until after his vacation, and it underscores the political perils of not showing up for disasters.
Politicians who don’t make an appearance risk angering voters or giving opponents a line of attack.
President George W. Bush was panned for his
handling of Hurricane Katrina, which was exacerbated by his decision to fly over the Louisiana disaster instead of visiting.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie drew the ire of critics in 2010, when he decided to go to Disney World after his state was hit by a blizzard. Two years
later, he was widely praised for his handling of Superstorm Sandy, which included touring the damage with Obama.
Trump and Pence toured the recent flooding in Baton Rouge days before Obama and blasted the president for golfing instead of cutting short his vacation.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Obama was better off waiting until after the cleanup was underway, so as not to pull resources away from the effort — though his decision might have been different if he were running for office.
As a candidate in 2008, Obama attacked Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina. And in 2012, the year of his re-election, he rushed to Louisiana to show solidarity with victims of Hurricane Isaac.
Trump’s Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, said she has not visited Louisiana yet because “the relief effort can’t afford any distractions.”
That’s a real concern with high-profile visits, even though they may draw attention to the disaster, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
“It’s a logistical nightmare on top of the disaster itself,” Sabato said, noting that visits require coordination with busy police and emergency personnel and sometimes shut down highways. “The last thing people need when they’re recovering froma disaster is to have a president visit.”
Sabato said Pence had no choice but to go back to Indiana after his criticism of Obama, though Pence denied any political calculation.
“I really don’t think in those terms,” he told reporters last week. “I’m an eyes-on leader. I like to lead fromthe front.”