In an interview this morning on NPR, FEMA director Craig Fugate made a key point. Pressed by the NPR reporter on the hot political issue about letting the states do their own rescues, Fugate's response was quick: We have a federal, not a national government, he said (I'm paraphrasing), and that means the states are in charge and are taking responsibility. FEMA acts as a facilitator and a resource when necessary.
In another report, Romney shows his true colors with respect to FEMA.
When Romney was asked directly during that same GOP debate last year if disaster relief should be on the chopping block, here's what he said:"We should take all of what we're doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we're doing that we don't have to do? And those things we've got to stop doing. Because we're borrowing $1.6 trillion more this year than we're taking in. ... We cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the future for our kids."
That's an inconvenient comment in light of this week's storm. Romney ignored reporters' questions about FEMA funding at Tuesday's canned food drive.
President Obama will continue to make the case for an active federal role Wednesday, not at a campaign rally, but by touring hard-hit New Jersey. ...NPR
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