The Republican convention was suspended this week as the GOP didn’t want to be seen partying or playing partisan politics while people in solid GOP states faced the dangers of Hurricane Gustav.
McCain knows his hurricane politics. As is required of any candidate for the presidency, John McCain has expressed deep sympathy for the victims of Gustav. But when he is not running for president McCain’s record on hurricane relief shows a persistent and callous disregard for those in need.
• On August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina blasted New Orleans in the early morning hours, McCain spent the day celebrating his birthday with President Bush at a resort in Arizona. That night McCain appeared on the comedy show Late Night With Conan O’Brien.
• In the aftermath of the New Orleans disaster, McCain did not visit New Orleans until seven months later in March 2006. McCain’s decision to go to New Orleans came two days after an embarrassing article was published in a Capitol Hill newsletter pointing out he was the only one of six senators who were running for president who had not visited the city.
• In September 2005 McCain cautioned his Senate colleagues about spending too much on Katrina recovery efforts: "We’re going to end up with the highest deficit, probably, in the history of this country."
• In September 2005 and February 2006 McCain voted against establishing a commission to look into the federal government failures in its Katrina disaster relief efforts.
• In September 2005 McCain voted against a proposal to extend unemployment benefits for Katrina victims from 26 weeks to 52 weeks.
• In September 2005 McCain voted against an amendment offered by Senator Joe Biden to provide emergency funding for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
• In October 2005 McCain voted against establishing an investigation into fraud and waste in Katrina recovery efforts.
• In November 2005 McCain voted against a bill that would have permitted uninsured Katrina victims five months of coverage under the federal government’s Medicaid program for low-income families.
• In February 2008 McCain traveled to Texas to receive the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee. In 2005, speaking on National Public Radio, Hagee said, "I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God and they are recipients of the judgment of God."
• In June 2008 McCain said, "I’ve supported every investigation into Katrina." His September 2005 and February 2006 votes, detailed above, show this is not true.
McCain’s consistent opposition to disaster relief is not limited to Hurricane Katrina. In 2006 McCain opposed a last-minute amendment to legislation that would have provided $1.9 million for flood relief in Hawaii. McCain said at the time, "My constituents live in Arizona. A lot of us are getting sick and tired of this, sick and tired. Earlier, in 2001, McCain opposed an amendment to allocate $7.5 billion in recovery funds for areas damaged by the September 11 terrorist attacks.
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