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C.A. Lt. Gov. Says ‘Prove You Can Do It Right’
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ShareOctober 24, 2007 3:14 PM
ABC News' Sam Donaldson and Mike Chesney report: As President Bush prepares to visit parts of California ravaged by fire, the state’s Democratic lieutenant governor reduced Wednesday’s trip to a mere public relations effort.
"They need a public relations success. The president is coming out here for that purpose," said Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, D-Ca. "Fine. Then bring the money. Bring the help. Prove that you can do it right this time, Mr. President."
During an interview for "Politics Live," Garamendi said President Bush has a lot riding on his response to the wildfires after the widespread criticism of the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
"This is their opportunity to redeem themselves," he said. "Good. Let's see the redemption."
Garamendi said he has good reason to doubt the President’s pledge to help California.
"I have very little confidence in the president based upon everything from Iraq to what's gone on in the Gulf states."
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said the comparisons between the wildfires and Hurricane Katrina were "inevitable" but not apt.
"These fires are not the same disaster that we had in Katrina. There's so many differences," she said. "The president visits disasters -- any president visits disasters regularly, and I think that I would not see the president's visit tomorrow as part of lessons learned."
Even while expressing skepticism of President Bush’s upcoming visit, Lt. Gov. Garamendi lauded the efforts of federal employees already on the scene.
"I know that US Forest Service teams from all over the west have poured into California - particularly those that were nearby," he said, "The men and women that are on those teams have just done extraordinary work."
Garamendi acknowledged there is an upside to the President’s visit Thursday – cash.
"The basic insurance policy for such disasters is what I call ‘The Air Force One Policy,’" he explained. "Air Force One arrives, and money falls out. Well, we need the money. So, let’s have that insurance policy."
That is an insurance policy Garamendi knows his state has to put to good use.
"This is going to be a very expensive proposition to clean up and to put this place back together."
October 24, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (9)
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Well, I hope California's Lt. Governor doesn't hold his breath -- Bush will fly in post for some snapshots, hug a few people, hop on a plane and be outta there ----- can we expect anything different?
Posted by: Paulet | Oct 24, 2007 3:53:33 PM
Interesting. Apparently Garamendi hasn't been by to see what's actually happening in his state. People are calling in to radio stations from Qualcomm, or from their homes, or from areas where they can actually SEE the fires ...
People are helping each other. The National Guard that has been called off from patrolling the border to come "help" have nothing to do - because the people are doing it themselves. They are EVACUATING ... y'know, because they were advised that they should. They are helping their neighbors get their stuff together.
And what would he like Bush to do? Go down and "man a water hose?" The fire is out of control, firefighters aren't able to get in front of it long enough to make an impact, and the winds are so high that planes aren't effective. I'm sorry ... sometimes, you just can't do a whole lot against a force of nature!
Stop politicizing this event, and start figuring out what YOU, Garamendi, can do to help. Your whining about why Bush is coming to your state is doing nothing in that regard.
Posted by: DisdainLady | Oct 24, 2007 4:25:12 PM
Bush is flying into California? Do you remember the movie Die Hard 2? "We gotcha....we gotcha..."!
Posted by: easystreet47 | Oct 24, 2007 4:41:55 PM
I live in Southern California. We all hope Bush Jr stays away. Everything he's ever touched turned out a disaster. We don't need his phony photo-op here, or any of his so-called "help".
Posted by: wilder5121 | Oct 24, 2007 5:35:10 PM
Why is the Lt. Gov. even speaking? In most states the Lt. Gov. lays low while the Governor does the work. Didn't he know that they had to ask for help before the Feds could bring help? That's the law.
Posted by: ellsbells930 | Oct 24, 2007 5:58:07 PM
Yeah, everything is always Bush's fault! I'm sure these fires are an inside job of the Bush administration! This is just the kind of thing he would do! Am I right? You know I am. Ask a progressive.
Posted by: TexBork | Oct 24, 2007 6:30:22 PM
Lt. Governor Garamendi needs to know his role (which is very little indeed) and be supportive of anyone who wants to help out.
I live in California as well and I think anyone who wants to tour the disaster zone should be able to and be welcomed -- especially President Bush.
Lt. Governor Garamendi should also use his limited power (or his newfound power, since he has decided to speak up) to denounce the failed policies of mismanaging our forests that have caused the massive fires.
I won't hold my breath...
Posted by: Bryan Williams | Oct 24, 2007 11:11:40 PM
Why doesnt the State subsidise a 10,000 gallon water tank with roof sprinklers for any house with trees and brush within 100 feet? Rather than put so many fire fighters at risk?
Posted by: Marty | Oct 25, 2007 12:17:23 AM
What a blowhard leftist hack. Bush was critized for not touring Katrina soon enough and now he's being critized for touring to soon. Garamendi is obviously a card carrying member of the new Moveon.org democrat party. This is the reason the government has an approval rating that is getting close to single digits. Pathetic politicalization of a tragedy. Just Pathetic.
Posted by: Andrew | Oct 25, 2007 9:28:02 AM
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