Speaking in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this afternoon, President Obama, said Louisiana floods are “not a photo op” as he gave a press conference and toured a flooded neighborhood, which seems like something of a photo op.
.@POTUS calls on Americans to stay focused on Louisiana: "This is not a photo op issue" https://t.co/vkmM4UPIiZ https://t.co/esozobMW51
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 23, 2016
After touring the recovery efforts taking place in parts of Baton Rouge, the president gave a press conference in which he said the following:
Sometimes, when the flood waters pass, people’s attention spans pass. This is not a one-off. This is not a photo op issue. This is how do you make sure that a month from now, three months from now, six months from now, people still are getting the help that they need. I need all Americans to stay focused on this.
The president traveled to Louisiana today after wrapping up his vacation at Martha’s Vineyard, despite calls for him to cut his trip short and immediately visit the flood-ravaged area.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Mike Pence visited Louisiana last Friday. In response to Obama’s visit to the state today, Trump tweeted the following message:
President Obama should have gone to Louisiana days ago, instead of golfing. Too little, too late!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2016