Bush to tour Florida damage

WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | 15AUG04 | Bill Sammon

[familyop]

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — President Bush will tour hurricane damage in Florida today on a trip that, while considered official White House business, also provides political opportunities in a state he barely won in 2000.

"Many lives have been affected by this hurricane," he told a campaign rally here. "I know you join me in sending our prayers to those people who look for solace and help."

[Howlin]

President Bush (news - web sites) departs Air Force One Sunday morning, Aug. 15, 2004, in Fort Myers, Fla. to tour damage caused by Hurricane Charley in southwest Florida.

[theophilusscribe]

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, center, talks to a distraught woman seeking help with the severe damage to her home by Hurricane Charley, on his way to a news conference at the emergency command center in Punta Gorda, Fla. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

[theophilusscribe]

Thanks! I've been looking for pics of President Bush in Punta Gorda surveying the area. I'm sure Yahoo will post them pretty soon.

[Dane]

Some reporter thought he had a "gotcha" moment by asking if this "quick" trip was politically motivated.

President Bush said back, If I hadn't you all would have said that I haven't come to the state quick enough.

[mathluv]

This is in the Times, not the Post, and Bill Sammon wrote an excellent book on the 2000 election.

[Jenya]

Some reporter thought he had a "gotcha" moment by asking if this "quick" trip was politically motivated. President Bush said back, If I hadn't you all would have said that I haven't come to the state quick enough.

Our President is quick on his feet and very witty. It's difficult to corner him, try as they may.

[Psycho_Runner]

Only the stupid ones or the cattle rustlers.

[theophilusscribe]

President George W. Bush flies aboard Marine One, over the Charlotte Country Airport before landing near destroyed homes in Punta Gorda, Florida August 15, 2004. Bush on Sunday toured the wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Charley. Bush has already issued a disaster declaration for the area, freeing up federal emergency funds while assessing the devastation in hard-hit Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda along Florida's Gulf coast. Photo by Charles W Luzier/Reuters Reuters - 9 minutes ago

[hobson]

Sammon also wrote "Fighting Back" that provides a minute by minute account of Bush's actions on 9-11 and the weeks after. Excellent book, I highly recommend it.

[mathluv]

I have that book, too. I just finished Gen Franks book - An American Soldier. He is very supportive of our President. He puts the lie to several media lines.

[mtbopfuyn]

If he's so pro-Bush then he should have left out the barely winning FL and insinuating this was a campaign ploy. As it stands, it certainly seems as if Bush isn't going down there to comfort the people and get and aid package to them asap, but to mug it up at their expense a la Bubba.