In case anyone needed more proof that Barack Obama governs to support his base constituencies and make war on others, the Obama administration has denied federal funds to the GOP-leaning state of Virginia to assist with rebuilding efforts following the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that shook the entire region on August 23. The quake, which was centered in Louisa County, did an estimated $15 million of property damage to the state.
FEMA’s Individual Assistance program would have provided loans, grants, and even Nancy Pelosi’s favorite “job creator,” unemployment assistance. Yet with these inducements, the president denied emergency assistance to Virginia for the second time this year.
Governor Bob McDonnell stated, “Disaster relief and public safety are core functions of the federal government.” But they are core functions the Obama administration is unconcerned about providing. Nor is this a partisan sentiment. Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, who considered a presidential run himself in 2008, has said, “If damage from a once-in-a-generation, 5.8 magnitude earthquake does not qualify for federal disaster relief, then I don’t know what does.” Earlier this month, the former governor cited the “enormous frustration” Virginians feel over “the lack of collaborative action in Washington.”
The cut-off of federal dollars seems to coincide with McDonnell’s election as governor on November 3, 2009 — the same day Chris Christie was elected governor of New Jersey. (McDonnell won his usually Republican state by a more decisive margin.)
Chris LaCivita, a Republican strategist, calls Virginia “ground zero on the re-elect.” A Quinnipiac poll shows Obama’s approval rating at 40 percent, more than ten points below his disapproval rating. Polls taken over the last month have shown Obama trailing both Mitt Romney and Rick Perry.
It is possible for the president to win the state without carrying every demographic group. Although Obama won the state by more than 6 percent in 2008, Obama attracted a mere 39 percent of white voters. But first-time voters counted for 13 percent of the electorate, and he earned a large share of independents. His support among independents currently stands at 29 percent.
Obama’s star has cratered so badly in Virginia that some Democrats are running away from him in this year’s elections. State Senator Philip Puckett, a Democrat, has said he will not support Obama for re-election in 2012. Puckett’s announcement cited cap-and-trade legislation and the president’s opposition to the coal industry. “It’s very clear to me that the administration does not support the coal industry in a way that’s beneficial to our area,” Puckett said. Obama’s assault on the coal industry has been a key driver of the greatest reduction in U.S. wealth in decades. Soon, it may become a pivotal reason he loses the Old Dominion in 2012.
Until Virginia voters start moving his way, they can rest assured Obama has nothing for them in the federal budget.
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Louisa is in Eric Cantor’s district. Payback.
Well, it seems that he denies help to any state that has not backed him. Look at what he has done to Texas. Seems like our esteemed president is trying to punish everyone who has not agreed with him.
Well what do you expect from a child in a monkey suit? He throws these tantrums all the time. It’s time for him to “MoveOn” as his website says. I wish lightening would strike him so we can say “Allah” did it. The only backing he’d get from me is the back slap of my hand. Not to worry Virginia, You have friends in the other surrounding states that will help get you back on your feet. Don’t send any more money to DC! Keep all of your tax dollars in your state. Nullify any federal laws in your state that you don’t agree with or choose to abide by. Let the Usurper and his minions sweat.
Please expand this storyline with more facts & data & proof. This is insanity.
Dean: What is insanity? The fact that you are a democrat? Or the fact that you support Obama?
Obama is the worst president we have ever had in our 200 some odd years history. His plan from the very first was to install a caliphate and sharia law here. He who is born of a muslim father is a muslim. And you are a dumb***.
Dean, if you will click on the blue highlighted sections in the article, you will get all the stories from other media that you require. This is not a made-up story by Mr. Johnson. You may research it yourself on a number levels.
“…Until Virginia voters start moving his way, they can rest assured Obama has nothing for them in the federal budget.”
What a loser! Time to take out the trash.
VIRGINIA IS ENTITLED TO DISASTER AND PUBLIC SAFETY RELIEF AS THIS IS
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AS PRESIDENT OBAMA
IS REFUSING THIS, HE ONCE AGAIN, SETS HIM SELF UP FOR IMPEACHMENT. IT IS
NOW THE TIME FOR CONGRESS TO INITIATE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS FOR
OBAMA AS CALLED FOR IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA. THOSE IN CONGRESS WHO DO NOT SUPPORT IMPEACHMENT SHOULD
BE REPLACED IN THE 2012 ELECTIONS .
Obama bin Laden is”NOT” an “AMERICAN CITIZEN”,,,He was born in Mumbaso hospital in Kenya ,Africa!!!!!!!!! WHY??? is our Congress & Senate NOT pressing charges of Treason against this userper?????? We NEED to get rid of the Democratic Socialist in “AMERICA”,, Which is Reid,Pelosi, Frank,Holder,etc. There are about 70 of them in our Congress & Senate!!!! They are destroying “OUR Country”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
obama has gone after Arizona, Texas, and now especially Virginia. What state is next? This guy is utterly criminal and not caring who knows.
Why do the states put up with this kind of treatment?!?!? If I were a governor of one of these states, I would be putting out big articles in ALL the state’s newspapers – letting the AMERICAN TAXPAYERS know what is going on with our INFAMOUS president. This is disgusting – he doesn’t even have the common decency to take care of the people he is supposed to be president of!!! He DOES NOT deserve to be president of ANYTHING or ANYBODY! Get him out of office (with all his CZARS) ASAP!!!
Obama did not make the decision to deny the funds to our great state, the FEMA director did. I know that provides little consolation, but let’s put the blame where it belongs.
This has been a banner year of natural disasters, and FEMA has been stretched thin. Let’s not forget the good people of Joplin, MO who lost everything during the May tornado, and the massive flooding from hurricane Irene, and that is only two disasters our country has seen.
I’m not saying this in an effort to sway opinions about Obama. I’m saying this to remind everyone to be thankful that we have roofs over our head while others have lost everything. Virginia requested money to repair damage. Others have complete devastation.