EPIC FAIL: Romney as MA Gov. The 2006 Floods (flashback, notice the pattern)

[ProSense]

EPIC FAIL: Romney as MA Gov. The 2006 Floods

by TayTay

We know Mitt Romney in Massachusetts. We know that the last thing he wants national voters to see is his record as Governor of the Bay State. Romney's term as occupant of "the Corner Office" was marred by a constant neglect of the Commonwealth and the citizens of Massachusetts.

How bad was it? Follow me over the fold and see just how Mittens handled the aftermath of the terrible floods in MA in 2006. It truly was a case of a Governor who had willfully abandoned the voters of his State so that he could concentrate on his own agenda. It truly is a case of an Epic Fail.

Mother's Day weekend in May 2006 saw an astonishing amount of rain fall on the New England area. Wikipedia has an accurate and succinct picture of what happened in northern MA that soggy spring:

Numerous rivers overflowed in northeastern Massachusetts, and urban flooding also occurred. Thousands of people were evacuated and water was reported to be up to the rooftops of several homes.[5] Several rivers, including the Merrimack and Charles rivers, threatened several communities. The Merrimack in Lowell was expected to reach more than 8 feet (2.4 m) above flood stage combined with 15 inches (380 mm) of rain.

The flooding also led to drowned waste water treatment plants, which overwhelmed sewage systems. Burst pipes in Haverhill dumped 35 million gallons (132,000 m³) of waste a day into the Merrimack River. In addition, the flooding at another regional treatment plant in Lawrence was also very close to shutting down the power there, which would have sent sewage into the Merrimack at a rate of 115 million gallons (435,000 m³) a day.[4] For only the third time in a 150 year history, Lowell dropped its flood-controlling Francis Gate. Also, most notably in downtown Peabody, people could even be seen sailing in boats atop flooded areas.

So what did Mitt Romney do to support the people of Massachusetts during this emergency? Well, he did go on Good Morning America and joke about how bad the flooding was and how MA residents were preparing arks, ala the biblical story of the Great Flood in Genesis. What he didn't do was help out.

Mittens was running for President. He needed to shore up his conservative bona-fides. He couldn't be seen using the levers of government to actually aid people. So, Mitt wished the small businesses and residents of Ma well and ignored their pleas for help.

After all, Mitt was running for President and he couldn't be seen using the government to help actual people. He didn't want to be seen as a moderate, bleeding-heart Governor. That wouldn't help his national tough-guy image at all.

How bad did it get? The following article from the right-wing (very right-wing, 2004 George W. Bush endorsing) newspaper The Lowell Sun shows what MA got from their "I'm a great manager" Governor"

No relief from Romney
The Lowell Sun,
8/7/2006
Lead Editorial

We find it inconceivable that Gov. Mitt Romney claims the state can do nothing to help those residents still struggling to rebuild homes and businesses after the May flood.

Massachusetts is sitting on millions in unspent emergency funds from Hurricane Katrina and more than $1 billion in cash reserves, yet Romney has failed to even respond to the Lowell delegation's requests to discuss additional aid for victims.

The governor's spokesman -- since Romney can't be bothered to comment now that the photo opportunities have dried up even though some residents' basements haven't -- said the state will not consider spending its own money for flood victims until it's clear how much cash the federal government will give.

Again, this is not the supposedly liberal Boston Globe making this case. This is the conservative Lowell Sun which serves the conservative/moderate region of Northern Middlesex and Essex Counties in MA.

The Editorial continues:

It's been two months, governor. Many Massachusetts residents are still living in temporary housing or trying to rebuild destroyed basements and first floors, racking up credit-card debt and taking out home-equity loans.

What's wrong with fronting the money and having those loans repaid when, and if, federal agencies come through with more cash?

If ignoring the pleas of legislators and constituents is the way Romney's going to handle a crisis situation, why would anyone vote for him for president? How would he handle a national crisis, by flying in for photo ops and then hiding in his White House office?

There were many epic fails in the Romney occupation of Massachusetts. The Governor raised fees, neglected education and practiced crony hiring for State offices. But this one really shows Romney's true relationship to voters.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/05/1097537/-EPIC-FAIL-Romney-as-MA-Gov-The-2006-Floods

(emphasis added)

Fast forward to 2011-2012:

Romney 6/13/2011: Federal Disaster Relief For Tornado & Flood Victims Is ‘Immoral,’ ‘Makes No Sense'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021240887

Pretend President Romney heads to Louisiana to tour Isaac damage

by Jed Lewison

Given that Louisiana is still in the middle of its recovery effort from Hurricane Isaac and that Mitt Romney has no role to play whatsoever in that effort, this seems like an odd and self-centered distraction:

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will head to Louisiana to tour damage from Hurricane Isaac.

Romney has scheduled a last-minute visit Friday to Lafitte, La., where he will tour damage with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. The storm canceled the first day of Romney's Republican convention, and his campaign has been considering a visit for several days. [...]

In Louisiana, Romney will thank emergency first responders for their work.

As he thanks those first responders, I hope Mr. Romney will reconsider his words from just two months ago, when he mocked President Obama for seeking more funding for first responders.

"He (President Obama) says we need more fireman, more policeman, more teachers," Romney said on June 8 of this year. "Did he not get the message of Wisconsin? The American people did. It's time for us to cut back on government and help the American people."

Maybe with his tour today, Romney will realize just how wrong he was to mock President Obama for wanting to hire more first responders. But of course this really isn't about them, it's about the photo-op, and while Romney will make a big show of thanking them for their service, all the thank yous in the world don't make up for a pink slip. And if Mitt Romney gets his way in November, that's exactly what a lot of the people he sees today will get.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/31/1126300/-Pretend-President-Romney-heads-to-Louisiana-to-tour-Isaac-damage

<...>

"I'm here to learn and obviously to draw some attention to what's going on here," Romney told the governor. "So that people around the country know that people down here need help."

Jindal talked about the contributions of the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other organizations. Romney inquired how many people had been evacuated and asked, "Did the water come from the sky, or the rivers, or the ocean?"

Reporters could not hear the entire conversation.

Romney's motorcade, including trucks equipped to drive through high water, moved slowly down Jean Lafitte Boulevard. Accompanied by National Guard vehicles, the caravan inched through water that at some points was a foot or more deep, submerging gas stations, flooding homes and covering front laws. Residents stood in the water and watched Romney's motorcade pass.

http://news.yahoo.com/romney-arrives-louisiana-storm-visit-165609340--election.html

Rising sea levels aren't funny

By Steve Benen

We talked earlier about Mitt Romney's convention speech and its shortcomings, but I'd be remiss if I neglected to mention this 39-second portion that was genuinely painful.

For those who can't watch clips online, Romney said, "President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and to heal the planet. My promise is to help you and your family."

<...>

Now, as a factual matter, Romney's promise is itself rather strange. How "you and your family" will benefit from less access to affordable health care, less access to education, and fewer investments in roads and infrastructure is something of a mystery.

But even putting that aside, the aspect of Romney's comments that was simply astounding was the ignorance. The Republican treated rising sea levels as a punch-line, as if the very idea of addressing the climate crisis is ridiculous and those who take this seriously are fools worthy of mockery.

- more -

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/08/31/13595053-rising-sea-levels-arent-funny

Mitt Romney has an awkward sense of humor. At best.

by Hunter

It really can't be pointed out often enough what a gigantic ass Mitt Romney is. Even when he's trying to be witty and personal, he just comes off as a gigantic ass.

“I appreciate this invitation to join you on dry land this afternoon,” Romney said, prompting laughter from the audience.

Then he switched to a more serious tone.

“Our thoughts are of course with the people of the Gulf Coast states,” Romney continued.

Whatever. I'm sure his campaign team will be along anytime now to explain that "dry land" wasn't referring to the hurricane currently dropping a hammer on the Gulf Coast, the one he launched immediately into talking about, he was probably just referring to his stupid Cayman-flagged Cracker Bay yacht party.

What-freaking-ever.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/29/1125629/-Mitt-Romney-has-an-awkward-sense-of-humor-At-best

Romney Criticized for ‘Dry Land’ Remark at Campaign Event
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/29/romney-criticized-for-dry-land-remark-at-campaign-event/

Romney To Homeless Hurricane Victim: ‘Go Home’ | Yesterday, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney visited Louisiana, where much of the state was flooded due to Hurricane Issac. While visiting the Pelican State, however, Romney had some odd advice for one victim of the hurricane who had lost her home due to the flooding. According to Jodie Chiarello, a suddenly homeless resident of the state, Romney advised her to “go home and call 211.” 211 is a telephone number in Louisiana that provides information to residents about health and human services programs.

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/09/01/787441/romney-to-homeless-hurricane-victim-go-home/

Note:

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[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[malaise]

2. This is what I read on Jeff Masters this morning

Tropical Storm Leslie a long-range threat to Bermuda, Canada, and the U.S. East Coast
Tropical Storm Leslie formed on Thursday in the Central Atlantic. Leslie's formation date of August 30 puts 2012 in 2nd place for earliest formation date of the season's 12th tropical storm. Only 1995 had an earlier formation date of the season's 12th storm. With records dating back to 1851, this year is only the second time 8 total storms have formed in August. The other year was 2004, when the first storm of the season formed on August 1 (Alex), and the 8th storm (Hermine) formed on August 29th. Satellite loops show that Leslie has a modest amount of heavy thunderstorm activity, and respectable low-level spiral bands and upper-level outflow. Conditions appear ripe to allow Leslie to intensify into a Category 2 hurricane by Sunday. Fortunately, Hurricane Kirk is weakening the ridge of high pressure to the north of Leslie, and Leslie is expected to turn to the northwest and miss the Lesser Antilles Islands. However, steering currents for Leslie are expected to collapse early next week, as Leslie gets stuck between two upper level lows. The storm will then slowly meander over the open ocean for many days, potentially threatening Bermuda. Leslie will stay stuck until a strong trough of low pressure approaches the U.S. East Coast around September 8. This trough should be strong enough to pull Leslie to the north and then northeast by September 9. At that time, Leslie may be close enough to the coast that the storm will make landfall in New England, Canada, or the Mid-Atlantic states. Leslie could also miss land entirely; this all depends upon the timing and strength of the September 8 trough of low pressure. Regardless, Leslie is expected to bring an extended period of high waves to the U.S. coast. According to NOAA's Wavewatch III model, large swells from Leslie will reach Bermuda by Monday, and arrive along the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday. These waves will be capable of creating dangerous rip currents and beach erosion.
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2216

I have no doubt that the Obama administration will be ready for whatever comes ordoes not come

[ProSense]

3. Interesting. Thanks. n/t

[malaise]

4. Anytime

I can't wait for the Democratic Convention to tear that moron a new one over climate change. Do you know that he repeated that anti-science crap he spewed at the ReTHUG convention in Ohio this morning.

[ProSense]

6. Mitt is a creepy liar

Everything he has said in his political life about his beliefs is a lie.

[ProSense]

5. "Romney was silent on whether, as president, he would support paying for such an expansion."

<...>

Go to the home that's submerged under water and call 211. Maybe they'll let the National Guard and the governor know there's a problem. Oh, wait, the National Guard and the governor are already there. I'm not knocking 211, but, you know, first, this woman doesn't have a home to go back to and make a phone call. Second, the disaster relief that exists is pretty much already engaged. Thousands of people are in shelters after fleeing their homes or being rescued from their rooftops. "Call 211" is what you say when it's not clear what help is available.

But surely calling 211 is not all the man who would be president has to suggest about disaster aid, right?

Romney was silent on whether, as president, he would support paying for such an expansion. Romney's running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, has proposed eliminating $10 billion a year in disaster spending and requiring Congress to pay for emergencies by cutting from elsewhere in the budget. That proposal was blocked by GOP leaders.

A disaster spending cut so deep it was too extremist for the leaders of today's Republican party, and Mitt Romney chose the guy who proposed it as his running mate. Maybe Romney is suggesting that people call 211 because, under him, that would be the only help available.

- more -
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/01/1126718/-Mitt-Romney-tells-woman-who-lost-her-home-in-Hurricane-Isaac-to-call-211

[ProSense]

7. Kick for

underreported story!

[OkieGranny]

8. This warrants a fresh read

re: hurricane Sandy.

[liberalla]

9. We can be thankful Rmoney is not in charge right now...

Re: Sandy