President Obama visited the offices of the Red Cross today, in part to thank folks for their efforts, and in part to provide an update on where things stand with regards to the response to Hurricane Sandy.
The clip is well worth watching, but this portion stood out for me.
"My instructions to the federal agencies has been, 'Do not figure out why we can't do something. I want you to figure out how we do something. I want you to cut through red tape. I want you to cut through bureaucracy. There's no excuse for inaction at this point. I want every agency to lean forward and to make sure that we are getting the resources where they're needed as quickly as possible. I want to repeat, my message to the federal government: no bureaucracy; no red tape. Get resources where they're needed as fast as possible, as hard as possible, and for the duration."
In instances like these, there's often talk of having some sort of "disaster-response czar" to help cut through the bureaucracy and ensure the federal government in responding as it should to an emergency. By all appearances, the "disaster-response czar" this week in response to Hurricane Sandy just happens to be the president of the United States.
Leave a Comment:
Obama handles it like that, while Romney vetoed flood prevention for his state while governor, and wants disaster response to be on the backs of the strapped states or on the backs of the victims when the private companies that take it over send them a bill. After all, we can't have those common people not in debt! It's not the (Romney) American way!
And Romney is out collecting food and clothing like the East Coast is Haiti or a third world country (is Romney REALLY THAT out of touch?). All this against Red Cross procedures by the way, since they don't accept food or clothing.
Romney just held a political rally and tried to throw off the fact by claiming to be collecting food. Right now some paid lackey is driving that food to a drop off point. Romney will never check if it was used or how useful it was. The man is a monster.
Heck'va job, Romney!!
"And Romney is out collecting food and clothing..."
In other words, he's having another political rally.
Maybe he'll donate all that canned food to the soup kitchen Paul Ryan caused to lose a ton of monetary donations last month with HIS pointless photo op.
Anyone interested in a pool of when the Republicans start criticizing the President's response?
In the same way that Romney couldn't let Ohioans think Chrysler was an Obama success and in the same way that Rove and his minions couldn't let John Kerry's record as a Vietnam hero stand, the more effective the Federal government's response to Sandy, the more likely the Republicans will have to denigrate it in some way.
And in the same way that there was no basis in fact for those -or *any* of Mr. Romney's- charges, don't be lulled into thinking that they will have to find real mistakes to criticize.
I'll start the pool myself: I pick 2:40pm tomorrow as the time of the Republican's first salvo, early enough to try to blunt the formation of public opinion, late enough to make the drive-time news.
It can't be Romney at first: he will have to appear above the fray, but he'll be asked about the charges and will be obliged to give a reluctant second guessing of what's been done (because THOSE questions he will hear).
Does Michael "heckuva job Brownie"count? He came out today and said Obama reacted TOO fast to Hurricane Sandy. I thought I was reading an article from The Onion...
Man... I thought I was reading the Onion too!!! Brownie stepped down in disgrace... how could anybody think his thoughts are even worth injecting into the media coverage of a disaster???
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/30/michael-brown-obama-hurricane-sandy_n_2044971.html
Romney collecting food and clothing is just another proof of what President Obama said about him: "Shoot first, aim later."
The sad part is: anybody who has ever donate to the Red Cross knows that they always prefer money and blood donation for those are the two things they always in need for and can be mobilized fast (especially during a disastrous event such as this one). The fact that there isn't anybody in the campaign who knows that raise a big flag in couple things:
Again....."Shoot first, aim later."
If Romney is president he will privatize FEMA and award the contract to Bain Capital.
You have just agreed with Romney's biggest campaign talking point. He has been talking about less govt for a year in a half and Obama has been trashing him for it because he said that less regulation would be like going "backwards". Remember, his slogan is "Forward". Now, Obama thinks that less red tape, regulation, etc will help get aid to those who need it quicker-GREAT IDEA!!! DOH!!!
The federal government the Republicans want would not be capable of probing 32,000 women who are seeking medical procedures and have enough resources left over to help the good people of the East Coast!
A vote for any Republican office seeker this election cycle is a betrayal of our American Exceptionalism, our heritage of struggling for inclusion, and our common sense as to how we need to treat each other in times of crisis and in times of banality.
The way we've been treated by the Tea Partying Republican party has not been healthy for anyone, let alone for any sustainable environmental policies we could have been working on up to now! -Kevo
"bury rock see"? Is that voice-recognition-talk for "bureaucracy"?
Thanks!
"By all appearances, the "disaster-response czar" this week in response to Hurricane Sandy just happens to the president of the United States."
What a concept - a compassionate President that not only cares, he also knows how to Lead! As it should be.
I like our president.
How long before Fox comes out blasting the President for making this declaration for political gain - "How dare he try to have an efficient response to a disaster so close to an election - if this were 2011 he wouldn't be removing red tape!"
They've been expecting an "October surprise." Its name is "Sandy."
I like our president a lot too!!! :)
I even voted for him! Yay me!
Amen to that!! Shuddering to think of Robme's response!!!!
Watching the mind-boggling differences between the way George Bush handled Katrina and the way president Obama is handling this, well mind-boggling is all I can come up with.
Even before this disaster unfolds further, with all its horrendous aftermath, people can already see the profound contrasts between Obama and Romney too. Can you even imagine how Romney would potentially lead and organize a catastrophe such as this? He is asking for 'help'? CANNED food? Come now job creators; Romney would like you, private business, to step into the void he believes exists because you know, one can't rely on government too much.
As a commenter previously alluded to; is this Haiti or some far away place? Perhaps Romney could call upon 'Doctors Without Borders'?
It's funny what Romney did in Ohio. Red Cross specifically said in their guidelines "NOT TO DO A FOOD DRIVE" and the idiot went ahead and did just that. But when Obama said "Red Cross knows what they are doing" I was like oh snap, Sassy Obama in the house lol.
Well he isn't interested in helping the Red Cross, he is interested in looking like he cares about the people he doesn't want to have healthcare, who are now in need of healthcare, while holding a political rally. He is evil.
Yeah, it's not like he couldn't just write a check for, oh - I don't know, $10M if he really wanted to help. But instead, he wants other poor people to give up their food while he conducts a political campaign rally. Stay classy, Mitt.
@Marko- yeah that's what I was wondering too.
@Marko, writing them a check for $10 million doesn't help him unless he can fire them afterwards and make $100 million doing so.
Fourth sentence: please correct "bury rock see" to "bureaucracy"
Oh, my GOD!! That is FUNNY!! I'd really like to see the person who transcribed that!!!
Steve, please tell me it was an intern!!!
"Person"? I'd guess voice-recognition software would be more likely to make that kind of mistake.
Ahhh... you are probably right! I still live in the dark ages!!!
The non answers (14 plus) by the press pool at Rmoney's event, is to prevent stepping in it because FL LOVES them some FEMA. Also, where is Pauldo?
I'm glad a reporter called him on not answering. The other day when he was being asked about mourdock the reporter kept asking teh question instead of making it clear to everyone that he was refusing to answer.
This just in; Mitt Romney's $200,000 'Storm relief' event was a runaway success. The campaign collected 323 cans of baked beans and 62 cans of processed peas for storm victims.
LOL, don't forget the 123 loaves of 5-day old bread.....
Paul Ryan has been handing out invisible blankets on the campaign trail. To be fair, the Romney campaign just released a statement saying that the Congressman is handing out a "Representation of blankets to make a larger point about people in need."
And just what in the hell are "representation of blankets"?????
You'll have to channel Harry Potter or DIY & Crafts on Pinterest...
THAT'S how you focus relief efforts. The American Red Cross. Not some lame "Victory Rally" vaguely re-engineered as a "relief event."
First of all, FNC will NOT be happy with the President throwing around MSNBC's slogan, like that. Good job, Mr. Obama!
More importantly, imagine how that address would have sounded coming from Ron Paul, Herman Cain, or Mitt Romney! We are a little too close to that kind of speech, for comfort.
I wondered when the trolls would show up - and what they would focus on.....
It's President Obama, satcomsid. Thank you.
PRESIDENT Obama is the MAN!
No way Romney's lying machine can compete with this president!
I pray you're right MuggleBorn
Wow Go President Obama. It's about time you stood up to them. Keep it coming. Federal disaster Czar is not a bad idea. There shouldn't be any red tape or bureaucracy at the scale of this disaster. They know what needs to be and they should just do it. No matter the cost of it. This is American and these are Americans, and we need to pull together. We need to help each other out of this, and repair our cities. If we had this attitude then we would be the greatest country in this world. They need to pull together and get this done. Have you heard what New Jersey governor Chris Christie have been saying about President Obama? I am rather shocked he can be so nice. Sometimes I think this guy has it together and he surprises me other times he's spouting the hateful Republican Agenda. I am not sure what to think of him anymore.
Christie is thinking of 2016, if he is being nice to the president in this situation it is because he knows that being political will only hurt him, it will look good for a presidential run, and potentially, he doesn't think Romney can win the race.
Romney cannot win. I could not see that guy as president. I could not see Christie as president either. He has said somethings that makes me wonder about him.
I understand your cynicism however, I believe Christie was sincere in his response about President Obama's help. Christie is taking care of his people, as he should; unlike mittens did with the good folks of Mass.
President Obama gave Christie his direct line and told him to call and they talked three times. Obama last called him at Midnight and Christie asked him to move the FEMA process along and to sign the disaster decree. Christie got a call from FEMA at 2:00am with the news that it was a done deal. No redtape, no bureaucracy. I guess that really does make the president the disaster czar.
I"m just waiting for the aftermath. The Republicans from the West Coast will be screaming at the wasteful spending being done by the President. And all the spending without authorization from Congress. And the East Coast will be screaming that not enough money is being spent quickly enough to avert more disasters from occurring.
Of course, the Repubs could pretend to be Christian and have empathy for those who were in the path of the storm...... Nah.......
What else would they do? And guess what, this is the Right's Katrina, all over again.
Obama could burst into a hospital room, tear his heart from his chest and use his last gasp of life to transplant it into a dying Romney, and Romney would still criticize him for doing an American Doctor's job. There is no winning with Republicans and its good that people are finally seeing that, don't reason with them, just crush them.
Do I hear questions regarding where the buck stops?
I gotta say, it's been a while since I've heard someone stand up and say things like, "Secretary Clinton works for me." No attempt to put responsibility on someone else, just leadership.
And this sounds like more of the same. The last President I can remember who left absolutely no doubt as to who was in charge, good or bad, was Eisenhower.
Let's not forget Truman!! I wasn't around then, but I do know he LOVED to tell it to the people!
Someone needs to ask Romney: If it is moved to the states how will it be paid for with cities and states going bankrupt? If it is privatize then are they going to start charging to rescue victims and help them? I would love to hear a response to that. Romney has ideas that sound good to him but I don't think they are actual plans he can implement. I don't think Romney has taken the time to plan to go from thought to action. As they say the devil is in the details. Legally and ethically there is a lot that Romney cannot do as President.
Just as a reminder may those people that died in Katrina that he could say something instead while bush played a guitar http://youtu.be/XRJhAzu2pn4 6:53 at the end Obama speaks out
1,833 Died Hurricane katrina while Bush just sat on his hand`s while Obama with a SuperStorm with of death stands at 98...WOW too think about what differance of additude to the American people.. GOD Bless you Obama
This is what a Man does. This is what a President does.
It is sad that when you are raised conservative you have no good models to recognize the difference.
Perhaps, the irony in President Obama's declaration is that as the nation continues or begins the process of casting their votes in the pending Presidential Election, the outcome may well result in nothing but "Red Tape and Bureaucracy". The truth is not wrapped in a conspiracy or some mystifying mystery. The truth is that if the nation or the Electoral College, supplanting the nations’ majority choice, should elect Governor Romney the restoration process for those affected by Tropical Storm Sandy will grind to a halt. With the combined onset of winter, the off-boarding process for the current Democratic Administration and the subsequent intentional sandbagging of the Republican Party’s political appointments beginning in January 2013, hundreds of thousands of Americans impacted by Sandy would suffer unimaginable and needless emotional torment. The victims of Sandy would be subjected to and forced to endure a second Natural Disaster, at the hands of our two party political system playing politics as usual in D.C., as paybacks would be the order of the day. The Lame Duck Appointees ridding out the remainder of their terms would lay the apathetic ground work for the less than energetic responses to the shatter lives of our fellow countrymen suffering in need of swift and decisive government action and assistance. “The dish best serve with revenge” would be the order of the day and serve as the second course to the Lame Duck Democratic Appointee’s apathy during the winter of discontent to be cast upon our entire nation. As the ensuing winter months take grip of the Eastern Seaboard States, the true suffering of those caught in the path of Sandy will multiply like locust as the grid lock of Washington undergoing a change in administration will forestall the recovery process throughout the nation. As if the appetizer and second course wouldn’t be devastating enough, the dessert course with a cherry on top would be the effect the widespread damage will have on the nations stalled housing market with 20 million homes, aka Shadow Inventory, yet to be foreclosed on by previously bailed out banks. The current eroded values of thousands of homes in states impacted by Sandy will further plummet as they sit damaged, in need of repair, growing mold and adding to the list of homes to be foreclosed on as out of work homeowner’s are forced to forego paying their mortgages for several months; as they endure the same fate of Hurricane Katrina’s Survivor’s, several times larger and worse.
The choice that faces us, as November 6 approaches, as a nation will truly determine if we embrace the words of our national anthem, “one nation under GOD, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL” or if like the last time, (Hurricane Katrina), we merely recite the words from memory with out meaning or conviction. Will we as a nation be doomed to repeat the past failures of a people lacking the ability to make the choice that places the good of our fellow man and our nation above our individual need for vengeance for the less than spectacular past 4 years under the current administration? I hope, I pray that the irony I speak of does not see the light of day. As it will be a sad day indeed for each and everyone of us for years to come as we bear the burden of our choice for having sought vengenance over compassion.
Perhaps, the irony in President Obama's declaration is that as the nation continues or begins the process of casting their votes in the pending Presidential Election, the outcome may well result in nothing but "Red Tape and Bureaucracy". The truth is not wrapped in a conspiracy or some mystifying mystery. The truth is that if the nation or the Electoral College, supplanting the nations’ majority choice, should elect Governor Romney the restoration process for those affected by Tropical Storm Sandy will grind to a halt. With the combined onset of winter, the off-boarding process for the current Democratic Administration and the subsequent intentional sandbagging of the Republican Party’s political appointments beginning in January 2013, hundreds of thousands of Americans impacted by Sandy would suffer unimaginable and needless emotional torment. The victims of Sandy would be subjected to and forced to endure a second Natural Disaster, at the hands of our two party political system playing politics as usual in D.C., as paybacks would be the order of the day. The Lame Duck Appointees ridding out the remainder of their terms would lay the apathetic ground work for the less than energetic responses to the shatter lives of our fellow countrymen suffering in need of swift and decisive government action and assistance. “The dish best serve with revenge” would be the order of the day and serve as the second course to the Lame Duck Democratic Appointee’s apathy during the winter of discontent to be cast upon our entire nation. As the ensuing winter months take grip of the Eastern Seaboard States, the true suffering of those caught in the path of Sandy will multiply like locust as the grid lock of Washington undergoing a change in administration will forestall the recovery process throughout the nation. As if the appetizer and second course wouldn’t be devastating enough, the dessert course with a cherry on top would be the effect the widespread damage will have on the nations stalled housing market with 20 million homes, aka Shadow Inventory, yet to be foreclosed on by previously bailed out banks. The current eroded values of thousands of homes in states impacted by Sandy will further plummet as they sit damaged, in need of repair, growing mold and adding to the list of homes to be foreclosed on as out of work homeowner’s are forced to forego paying their mortgages for several months; as they endure the same fate of Hurricane Katrina’s Survivor’s, several times larger and worse.
The choice that faces us, as November 6 approaches, as a nation will truly determine if we embrace the words of our national anthem, “one nation under GOD, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL” or if like the last time, (Hurricane Katrina), we merely recite the words from memory with out meaning or conviction. Will we as a nation be doomed to repeat the past failures of a people lacking the ability to make the choice that places the good of our fellow man and our nation above our individual need for vengeance for the less than spectacular past 4 years under the current administration? I hope, I pray that the irony I speak of does not see the light of day. As it will be a sad day indeed for each and everyone of us for years to come as we bear the burden of our choice for having sought vengenance over compassion.
Rachel, wipe your chin, honey, you got a li'l drool there...
"I want every agency to lean forward" oh yeah, Barry's not campaigning here? Where was he a couple of weeks ago when Benghazi happened? MSNBC is totally ignoring what he FAILED to do there.
Barry isn't "doing" anything. He's standing there providing photo ops.
Hey Hillbilly, crawl out of your cave and look around. This president has been right there with every disaster, every crisis, every problem since taking office. When decisions needed made and actions done, he has been there. Expecting him to be on the ground in Benghazi is ridiculous. . . and idiotic.
You're an idiot too. Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi. Is that story still getting you votes? Seems like it should have served your purpose by now. You guys just can't bring yourselves to give one ounce of credit, can you? What do you envision a president doing in this situation? I think it would be cool if he dropped what he was doing and started leading, organizing, delegating. You've tried to hang that "Community Organizer" label around his neck as a negative, but, do you see what he's doing? He's overseeing the organization of communities, encouraging people to help one another, we'll get through this together. That's what the president is supposed to do.
What was your guy doing today? Ignoring questions about foolish things he's said in the past. How do you defend that? It's inconcievable to me how you can support a man who can't even defend his positions. I would have been fine with him saying, "That was the primary and I was trying to appeal to a different electorate. Since winning the nomination, I've changed my view, I'm not sure what my current view is, but it's not that." That's an honest answer for the people who want to know, and it gives him a chance to agree with what the President has done in response to the storm. He could even claim to increase the FEMA budget if he wanted to.
Why don't you go donate a few cans of soup.
hillbilly, you are waste of life, an ignorant fool, and have no compassion for what us on the east coast are going through. My house is currently engulfed in 5 feet of sand. My belongings ruined, my friends cars floated away. I hope a tornado comes and lifts your trailer away because you dont deserve to have a home. President Obama is a leader and cares about the well-being of others. Keep thinking this benghazi arguement has any traction, because it doesnt. Learn about the candites and realize yours is a sociopathic opportunist who does not care about the human race. His solution would be, "dont ask the govrnment for help, just borrow money from your rich parents"
President is an individual of action. That has been seen over and over over the First Term of his Presidency. This President is a deep thinker, and is very careful in his making of all decisions. The President today made it clear to the whole Federal Government. Get the job done or there will be a huge 'political price' to pay later. Progressive Power and it's many Think Tanks have been observing this very brillant President. We know this President is an individual who keeps his word. This President will let everyone know who is running the show very quickly. Today at the Red Cross Center the President talked directly and firmly to the American People. Now when the President ordered the Federal Government to do what he wants. He stretched out his lower lip to stress his feelings on this issue. His facial expression was very clear America. It is not a good time to mess with me. President Obama will not make reckless moves, and will always make rational decisions. Now the groups/individuals that committed their acts of terror in Libya. They had better be praying for their lives because, this President is going to kill them. The great thing is that Putin of Russia has no problem with this at all. Heck! The Chinese Leaders are even giving the President the big 'thumbs up!' Now this is just awesome America! This President loves to kill terrorists whenever he get the chance. You can count on that America. This President has always made several things very clear to the American People. This President is not a sucker, this President will get the job done, and this President will always put the American People first.
I completely agree with you. There are still unanswered questions, but I believe that he will take it as he said in the debate. He is ultimately the one who is responsible. There are reports that one of the responsible for the Libyan attacks was killed in Egypt. I don't know if that was a US sanction act or if it was something that the Egyptians were doing while trying to take down a compound area.
That wavy-haired blonde standing behind the President is a CUTIE!!
Rachel please call Romney out on his Mormonism! You could do a whole segment of some of the scariest and bizarrest beliefs they have! It's a scary cult! They believe Jesus and Satan are brothers! *Facepalm!!! And it's ironic that the "supposedly" christian conservative right might be the ones to put him into power.
I am a Christian and I am personally sick of hearing that Mormons are a branch of Christianity! No they are NOT! They are not even a part of the same tree!!!!
Gee, with one week to go before elections he actually does something for states with a high electoral college count!!! What a statesman he is!!!! Where was he on Bengahzi???? Where was he when Nashville had their devastating floods??? He is so proud of saving auto industry, where was he in protecting and saving dealerships in blue states???? Only dealerships in blue states were restored!!! Gee what a statesman and man for all the people he is!!!!
You're an idiot.
Grow-up little boy, and let mommy wipe your butt. No the other butt, on your face. yea thats the one. With all the crap off, now try to sound smart!
Which little boy are you talking about?
Sonny boy, use your brain!!
Gee, one week before the election and he decides to do something for an area with high electoral votes!!! What a statesman he is!!!! Where was he on Bengahzi besides watching T.V. Where was he during the devestating floods in Nashville???? Oh, excuse me thats a red state. He is so proud of "saving the auto industry", where was he in saving many dealerships that happened to be in red states??? Only dealers in blue states were reinstated. Saturn was demolished!!! Gee, factory happened to be in a red state, wow too bad. What a statesman our Savior Obama is !!!!
Will you try, just try to sound smart. Right now, your comment just makes you sound stupid, and un-informed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are in a situation, where bring in, something so far apart, is and will always be STUPID!!!!!!!!!