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Obama Pitches in for Illinois Flood Preparation
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ShareJune 14, 2008 12:49 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama lent a helping hand in his home state by volunteering to fill sandbags in a community threatened by the massive Midwest floods.
The presidential candidate -- no doubt looking for a very presidential photo-op -- will visit a flood preparation zone in Quincy, Ill. Quincy sits on the Mississippi River, and the governor has issued predisaster flood declarations for seven countries along the water for flooding that is anticipated to set in on Wednesday.
Obama, clad in jeans, gloves and boots, shoveled sand into bags with local volunteers, Mayor John Spring and State Senator John Sullivan.
"This is really making a difference and obviously nothing compares to what's happening in Cedar Rapids right now. And our hearts go out to them," Obama said of the widespread flooding that has ravished Iowa. "But you know in some ways the situation in Cedar Rapids now, we're just gonna have to let Mother Nature run its course. Here we can still prevent some of the problems."
Obama called for increased volunteer efforts to help protect the counties along the Mississippi in the waning hours before the flooding starts, and he promised aid to the areas of the Midwest already affected.
"We've got to make sure that every bit of assistance that is available gets to them right way. And we can't have a repeat of some of the problems we saw in New Orleans," Obama told reporters.
The Illinois Senator filled more than 15 sandbags -- and seemed to enjoy a break from the podium and lights of the campaign trail.
"There's something liberating about manual labor," he joked, "instead of talking all the time.”
On Wednesday, Obama’s campaign schedule was affected by the widespread flooding -- leading him to relocate an event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Chicago -- to not divert state resources going to flood relief.
* Updated from earlier today with on-site details.
June 14, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (73)
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Thats a way to go. Leading by example
Posted by: vuzous | Jun 14, 2008 1:08:53 PM
His security will devert resources.
Stay out of the way. I am so tired of politicians playing politics.
All he is doing is showing up for a photo op.
Enough already.
Posted by: sean | Jun 14, 2008 1:25:13 PM
Yeah, leading by example. Rezko, Wright, Father Pfleger. Yeah leading by example getting a sweetheart deal on his house from Rezko who at the time was under investigation. Yeah leading by example inviting an anti semite like Father Pfleger to campaign with him. I have never seen a great man like McCain smeared so much and a punk like Obama praised so much. The politics in this country are sick.
Posted by: david | Jun 14, 2008 1:27:46 PM
This is political pandering at its worst. It is a PR stunt.
I do feel for the people in the flood zone and the damage will run into millions. However, whether Obama is there or not will not make the river rise or fall more quickly. It is a stunt, folks.
Posted by: Mary | Jun 14, 2008 2:16:14 PM
Before criticizing, go fill some sandbags yourselves. There are some catastrophic floods going through the Midwest and these folks need help.
Posted by: MIguy | Jun 14, 2008 2:16:46 PM
No different then any other canidate after all.Just what they need right now
Posted by: Bishop | Jun 14, 2008 2:17:14 PM
And who cares if it's a stunt; if it brings much needed attention to the problem then it's done the job. Better than a stupid 'flyover' by Bush.
Posted by: MIguy | Jun 14, 2008 2:18:01 PM
Maybe that is where Hillary has been hiding, filling sandbags.
Seriously, I think that Obama is one of the sincerest candidates I have ever seen. I have followed his actions closely over the past year, and this guy is the real deal. I really believe he will be one of our greastest presidents ever. I can't imagine mc-more-war standing a chance in the fall. Obama 2008!!!
Posted by: pt | Jun 14, 2008 2:38:54 PM
Hes not leading by example.
Hes leading by whatever the campaign advisors tell him to do.
Posted by: same old | Jun 14, 2008 2:50:29 PM
Evil thinkers are evil doers. Obama is doing more than looking for a presidential photo-op. His volunteers are organizing to help flood victims in other parts of the country.
It is so easy for people to sit back and criticize. You guys are so used to settling for little or nothing that you are willing to lump everyone together. You can't even allow yourself to see good when it is being offered.
This administration lied and many, many people sat back and accepted it, even as people are toiling today, some still accept it.
For some of you, it is better to cut your nose to spite your face than to admit that things are horribly wrong in this country.
What are you doing to help? Other than sit around and criticize.
No wonder why the country is in the shape it is.
Posted by: saybah | Jun 14, 2008 2:52:18 PM
This is one of those distractions Obama talks about. He will be nothing but a distraction to people who are trying to get something done. Pandering at its worst. He should just go bowling.
Posted by: Kitty | Jun 14, 2008 3:02:17 PM
Ooops.
I forgot to mention that Obama has done nothing but criticize every single candidate as 'old school' and 'corrupt washington'.
Obama doesnt have a record to run on, so he bashed others and promised 'change' .
Posted by: saybah | Jun 14, 2008 3:05:29 PM
Hey where is FEMA and why aren't they handing out the money like they did in La. As for Obama filling sand bags... let him stay there for a week working 18 to 20 hours a day filling them and I may believe he really cares... He is all wind and photo ops.
Posted by: mich mike | Jun 14, 2008 3:34:12 PM
I just donated to the red cross in honor of Obama for America. I have always been amazed at what americans will do when asked to lend a hand. I am sure there are others who have donated thanks to the Obama campaign making this issue number one on their website. He is also soliciting volunteers to help sand bag, he is doing so in areas that have requested help sand bagging and are not currently flooding. He is trying to help while being mindful of not diverting resources from the rescue and relief efforts. This is more than just a a stunt, don't be so cynical. YES WE CAN!!!
Posted by: Just Donates to Red Cross | Jun 14, 2008 3:42:24 PM
Obama -- 5 minutes of PR and not a second more!
Posted by: Thomas | Jun 14, 2008 3:52:18 PM
Just Donates to Red Cross
Just donated because of Obama, huh? How about the fact that the people really need help. Why do you have to politicize human misery?
Posted by: A | Jun 14, 2008 4:04:31 PM
SOODD: Same old Obama, different day!
Posted by: Soetoro No! | Jun 14, 2008 4:08:26 PM
This is political pandering at its worst. It is a PR stunt.
I do feel for the people in the flood zone and the damage will run into millions. However, whether Obama is there or not will not make the river rise or fall more quickly. It is a stunt, folks.
---------------------------
Perhaps instead of helping people, he should go on vaction - then he could be just like some other Senator.
Posted by: Whatever | Jun 14, 2008 4:20:28 PM
As for Obama filling sand bags... let him stay there for a week working 18 to 20 hours a day filling them and I may believe he really cares
--------------------
Even better, rather than sitting behind a computer criticizing Barack for helping out, you could get off YOUR butt and do something.
He is leading by example. Certainly better than any other candidate in this campaign.
OBAMA 08!
Posted by: Whatever | Jun 14, 2008 4:29:27 PM
Got to love Obama!!! He already sent out e-mails to millions of his donors asking to send money to the Red Cross and to go volunteer if you are able. Now he's leading by example. Can't say the same for McCain who didn't mention a word until he realized Obama had a direct link on his homepage to the American Red Cross and detailed explanations on how to help.
Posted by: Dagny | Jun 14, 2008 4:47:37 PM
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