So you think Barack Obama is Mr. Nice Guy? Don't even. On Monday the president of the United States thumbed his nose at the city of Orlando and the 49 dead and more than 50 wounded in the June 12 terrorist attack on a crowded gay nightclub.
By turning down Gov. Rick Scott's request for a declaration of emergency -- remember, we're talking about the worst mass shooting in the nation's history -- that is precisely what Obama did.
In his June 13 letter to the president, Scott sought two forms of federal aid: “provision of health and safety measures,” as well as “management, control and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety.” An emergency declaration would have given Florida up to $5 million in initial federal funding.
Scott got the presidential finger in a letter from the White House that rationalized the rejection this way:
"... Because your request did not demonstrate how the emergency response associated with this situation is beyond the capability of the State and affected local governments or identify any direct federal assistance needed to save lives or protect property, an emergency declaration is not appropriate for this incident," Obama's administrator, W. Craig Fugate, wrote back. "Therefore, I must inform you that your request for an emergency declaration is denied."
I hate to say I predicted this, but I predicted this. It's commonplace for the president to call the governor of a state after such a catastrophic event. Obama didn't bother. Was that enough of a punishment for Scott's bad behavior? I knew it wouldn't be, and sure enough, it wasn't: A city after an unprecedented act of terrorism? You're on your own, Mr. Governor.
What will President Obama's response be to Floridians if a hurricane hammers the state and Scott asks for federal assistance? I very much fear it's going to be something akin to, here, suck on these eggs ...
We all get it. President Obama is aggrieved. As the Miami Herald wrote, Obama is sick and tired of Scott dumping on him for everything, from making nice to Cuba to forcing high-speed rail money and Medicaid expansion on the states. Scott "has been a vocal and partisan opponent of the Democratic president, has repeatedly sued the administration and recently chided Obama to 'be a partner' in helping Florida fight the Zika virus."
But there's a time and place for a president, even a lame duck president, to send a message. June 12 gave us the worst act of terrorism on American soil since Sept. 11, 2001, and the deadliest attack on a gay target in the nation’s history.
The federal money was to help with emergency response efforts, law enforcement response, emergency medical care, counseling services and other social services to assist victims.
Said Scott after he read the White House letter, "... It is unthinkable that President Obama does not define this as an emergency. We are committing every state resource possible to help the victims and the community heal and we expect the same from the federal government.”
If Obama wanted to get the governor's attention, he succeeded. Scott is very much aware federal aid under the Stafford Act, though turned down for the Orlando tragedy, was granted for these events -- and all Floridians should know how they fit in the president's pecking order:
President Obama’s Inauguration in 2009 (District of Columbia request)
Massachusetts Water Main Break in 2010 (State of Massachusetts request)
Boston Bombing in 2013 (State of Massachusetts request)
West Fertilizer Company Explosion in 2013 (State of Texas request)
Flint Water Crisis in 2016 (State of Michigan request)
Obama's spectacular pettiness has left a mark on me, certainly. This is how I will remember him. The president whose priorities are first about politics and ego.
Politics is one thing, Mr. President. The people who look to you are another.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
