Earth to Fox: Obama visited the Gulf on May 2
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on May 29th, 2010 4:45 am by HL
Earth to Fox: Obama visited the Gulf on May 2
On Fox & Friends, guest host Dave Briggs falsely claimed that President Obama “has not been down to the Gulf…[h]e has not had that moment to get down there in the Gulf and tell those people he cares, that he’s doing something.” In fact, Obama visited the Gulf Coast on May 2.
Briggs: “[T]he problem is” Obama “has not been down to the Gulf”
A May 28 Fox & Friends segment criticized Obama for attending the White House Correspondents dinner, playing golf, hosting sporting teams at the White House, and attending a fundraiser, among other things, since the oil leak began. Briggs added, “I think the problem is, he has not been down to the Gulf”:
BRIGGS: This is not to suggest that he should have skipped on his obligations. He also honored the UConn Women’s basketball team. But, I think the problem is, he has not been down to the Gulf. He’s been on the golf course so much. He has not had that moment to get down there in the Gulf and tell those people he cares, that he’s doing something. And that’s why James Carville’s been so unhappy. He’s not down there with the boots on, and showing people the beaches, and showing people the birds… taking leadership.
In fact, Obama visited the Gulf Coast on May 2
Obama visited Venice, Louisiana on May 2. On May 2, Obama visited the Gulf Coast to assess the response to the oil spill. In addition to making remarks about the attempted car bombing in Times Square, Obama detailed the federal government’s response to the oil spill. From Obama’s remarks:
They gave me a sense of how this spill is moving. It is now about nine miles off the coast of southeastern Louisiana. And by the way, we had the Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, as well as parish presidents who were taking part in this meeting, because we want to emphasize the importance of coordinating between local, state, and federal officials throughout this process.
Now, I think the American people are now aware, certainly the folks down in the Gulf are aware, that we’re dealing with a massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster. The oil that is still leaking from the well could seriously damage the economy and the environment of our Gulf states and it could extend for a long time. It could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of Americans who call this place home.
And that’s why the federal government has launched and coordinated an all-hands-on-deck, relentless response to this crisis from day one. After the explosion on the drilling rig, it began with an aggressive search-and-rescue effort to evacuate 115 people, including three badly injured. And my thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the 11 workers who have not yet — who have not been found.
When the drill unit sank on Thursday, we immediately and intensely investigated by remotely operated vehicles the entire 5,000 feet of pipe that’s on the floor of the ocean. In that process, three leaks were identified, the most recent coming just last Wednesday evening. As Admiral Allen and Secretary Napolitano have made clear, we’ve made preparations from day one to stage equipment for a worse-case scenario. We immediately set up command center operations here in the Gulf and coordinated with all state and local governments. And the third breach was discovered on Wednesday.
Obama set to visit Gulf Coast for second time on May 28. Obama is reportedly scheduled to visit the Louisiana Gulf Coast for a second time on May 28.
