Helene Alters Campaign Plans as Harris and Trump Respond \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hurricane Helene has significantly impacted the plans of presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Harris cut short her Las Vegas campaign visit to return to Washington for storm briefings, while Trump headed to Georgia to assess the devastation. The hurricane has claimed over 100 lives, primarily due to inland flooding in North Carolina, and has become a key issue in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Hurricane Helene Alters Campaign Plans Quick Looks
- Kamala Harris Returns to Washington: Democratic nominee Kamala Harris cuts short her Las Vegas visit for briefings on Hurricane Helene.
- Trump Heads to Georgia: Republican candidate Donald Trump heads to Georgia to witness the impact of the storm firsthand.
- Rising Death Toll: Hurricane Helene has killed over 100 people, with major damage caused by inland flooding in North Carolina.
- Political Implications: Both candidates are adjusting their campaigns as they navigate the political dynamics of natural disaster responses.
- White House Coordination: President Biden plans to visit affected areas later this week, while Harris will travel when it won’t interfere with recovery efforts.
Deep Look
Hurricane Helene, which has left a devastating impact across the southeastern United States, is altering the campaign trail for the two leading presidential candidates. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump have made significant changes to their plans this week as they react to the natural disaster that has claimed more than 100 lives. The storm, which primarily devastated North Carolina with severe inland flooding, has forced candidates to shift their focus from campaign events to addressing the crisis and offering support to affected regions.
Vice President Kamala Harris cut short her planned visit to Las Vegas, deciding to return to Washington to participate in briefings on the response efforts to Hurricane Helene. Harris has been vocal about supporting the affected communities and has stated that she will visit impacted areas “as soon as it is possible without disrupting emergency response operations.” Her response reflects the traditional approach presidents and vice presidents take during natural disasters—focusing on recovery efforts without impeding operations on the ground.
Republican candidate Donald Trump, on the other hand, took a different approach by heading directly to the disaster-stricken areas. Trump traveled to Georgia on Monday to witness the effects of the hurricane firsthand. The storm’s widespread destruction has led to both political and humanitarian concerns, as Trump uses his visit to Georgia as an opportunity to both connect with voters and criticize the federal response.
Trump and Harris Adjust Campaign Tactics
Natural disasters often serve as political tests for leaders, especially during election seasons. With just weeks left before the election, the response to Hurricane Helene has become a significant focus for both campaigns. Presidents and candidates typically avoid rushing to disaster zones immediately after a calamity to prevent interference with rescue and recovery operations. For this reason, the White House announced that Harris would visit the affected areas once the situation was stabilized enough for her presence not to divert resources away from ongoing emergency efforts.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden was scheduled to speak on Monday morning about his administration’s response to Hurricane Helene. He intends to visit the affected areas later in the week but also made it clear that the priority is to ensure his visit would not hinder response activities. Biden’s speech aims to reassure the public of the federal government’s active role in supporting recovery and response efforts, underscoring the administration’s ongoing commitment to helping those affected by the hurricane.
North Carolina Voters and Hurricane Recovery
Hurricane Helene’s destruction is also impacting preparations for the upcoming election in some of the hardest-hit areas. Officials in North Carolina are working to ensure that those affected by the hurricane will still have access to voting. State election officials met on Monday to discuss possible voting options for counties that have experienced severe damage, with a press conference scheduled for Tuesday to provide further updates.
Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, explained during an emergency board meeting that voters in impacted counties could declare “natural disaster” as their reason for not being able to provide a photo ID. The board approved a resolution that gives counties flexibility regarding the weekly meetings required by state law to review absentee ballots—a necessary adjustment in light of the widespread power outages and damages in the region. These meetings are set to occur every Tuesday from now until Election Day, to ensure that absentee voting processes are uninterrupted.
White House Responds to Trump’s Claims
The White House found itself pushing back against several claims made by Donald Trump during his visit to the storm-damaged areas of south Georgia. Trump criticized the federal response, claiming that President Biden had been unresponsive to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in the wake of the disaster. He praised Kemp for doing “a very good job” but said that the governor was “having a hard time getting the president on the phone.” Trump also stated that the federal government was “not being responsive” to the needs of the state.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, during her daily briefing, countered Trump’s claims by pointing out that Kemp himself had told reporters he spoke to Biden on Sunday evening. She noted that Biden had asked Kemp what the state needed and made it clear that federal assistance would be provided. Biden’s homeland security adviser, Liz Sherwood-Randall, also confirmed that the president had told Kemp he could call him directly if further assistance was needed.
Trump Continues to Make Controversial Claims
While touring areas in south Georgia ravaged by Hurricane Helene, Donald Trump continued to make claims about the federal response, despite his assertion that he was not trying to politicize the disaster. Trump criticized Vice President Harris for attending fundraising events while the storm hit, alleging she was “campaigning and looking for money” instead of focusing on the needs of those affected. Trump also reiterated his claim that Biden had been difficult to reach and that the federal government had not been adequately responsive.
The White House, however, stood firm in its response. Officials reiterated that Biden had indeed communicated directly with key figures, including Governor Kemp and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, both of whom expressed appreciation for the federal response. Kemp, in particular, praised the coordination between state and federal entities, saying, “We’ve got a great relationship with FEMA,” and highlighting that federal officials had been embedded with the state since before the storm made landfall.
Relief Efforts in Georgia: A Bipartisan Approach
In Georgia, local leaders have emphasized a non-political approach to hurricane relief. Dexter Sharper, a Democratic state representative from Valdosta, chose not to attend Trump’s visit, focusing instead on ensuring that residents had access to food and other resources. Sharper noted that relief efforts should be bipartisan, praising both Republican and Democratic officials who have been working to help those in need. “I’m helping ensure that there’s going to be a bipartisan effort to help Georgia get all the funds we need so we can get back to normal,” Sharper said.
Governor Brian Kemp and U.S. Representative Rick Allen, both Republicans, also emphasized the importance of bipartisanship at a news conference in Augusta on Monday morning. Kemp, who had recently reconciled with Trump after being targeted by the former president’s criticisms, stated that disaster relief would involve collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities. Kemp added that he had spoken directly with Biden and appreciated the federal support, while Allen echoed the sentiment, stating that hurricane recovery is “not a Democrat or Republican issue—this is an American issue.”
Kemp also revealed that Georgia had submitted a request for an expedited emergency declaration to secure federal aid. Although federal assistance typically follows damage assessments by local and state officials, FEMA has acknowledged Georgia’s request, highlighting the urgency of the situation. U.S. Representative Rick Allen, whose home in Augusta was damaged by the storm, expressed his commitment to working across party lines to ensure that Georgia receives the aid it needs.
Trump Travels to Georgia with Relief Supplies
Donald Trump made his way to Valdosta, Georgia, bringing what he described as “lots of relief material, including fuel, equipment, water, and other things” to aid those in need after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Trump said he would be joined by numerous local politicians and law enforcement officials, including evangelist Franklin Graham, whose organization, Samaritan’s Purse, has been actively assisting in disaster relief efforts. Trump had initially planned to also visit North Carolina but postponed that part of his trip to allow local emergency teams to focus on the immediate needs of residents.
In typical fashion, Trump also sought to highlight perceived political biases, claiming without evidence that the federal government and North Carolina’s Democratic governor were neglecting Republican areas in their response. Despite these claims, the areas hardest hit by the hurricane, such as Asheville and Buncombe County, are predominantly Democratic. Officials from both sides have called for focusing on helping residents rather than stoking political tensions.
Harris and Trump Address the Crisis on the Campaign Trail
The political responses to Hurricane Helene also carried over into campaign events. During a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris assured supporters that the government would be committed to helping affected communities rebuild. “We will stand with these communities for as long as it takes to make sure that they are able to recover and rebuild,” Harris said. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, speaking in Erie, Pennsylvania, referred to the hurricane as a “big monster” that had “hit a lot harder than anyone even thought possible.” He used the platform to criticize Harris for her attendance at fundraising events in California while the hurricane was ongoing, suggesting that her priorities were misplaced.
Harris has focused on balancing her role as a candidate with her responsibilities in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The White House emphasized that she would visit impacted areas once conditions allowed, and Harris also spoke directly with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper while traveling. Additionally, she received a briefing from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to stay informed about the ongoing relief efforts.
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