Trump's turn to face tricky politics of natural disasters
Posted August 29, 2017 7:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) - George W. Bush never recovered from his flyover of Hurricane Katrina's devastation. Barack Obama got a bipartisan boost late in his re-election campaign for his handling of Superstorm Sandy.
Now, President Donald Trump confronts the political risks and potential gains that come with leading the federal government's response to a deadly and destructive natural disaster.
Hurricane Harvey, the massive storm that has dumped torrents of rain across Texas - flooding Houston and other cities - is the first major natural disaster of Trump's presidency, and the yet-to-be-determined scope of the damage appears likely to require a years-long federal project.
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2005 file photo, President Bush looks out the window of Air Force One inspecting damage from Hurricane Katrina while flying over New Orleans en route back to the White House. Bush never recovered from his flyover of Hurricane Katrinaâs devastation. Barack Obama got a bipartisan boost late in his re-election campaign for his handling of Superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this May 28, 2013 file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie greets President Barack Obama upon his arrival at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. Obama traveled to New Jersey joining Christie to inspect and tour the Jersey Shore's recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. George W. Bush never recovered from his flyover of Hurricane Katrinaâs devastation. Obama got a bipartisan boost late in his re-election campaign for his handling of Superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump speaks at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters in Washington. The federal government has, for now, enough disaster aid money to deal with the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, but the ongoing storm appears sure to require a multibillion-dollar recovery package as did Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
The Associated Press
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