Trump, Pence to tour flood ravaged Louisiana

The White House said he has been receiving regular updates and briefings on the situation throughout the vacation, including from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. The White House said the president’s advisers had determined, in consultation with state officials, that Tuesday was an appropriate time to visit.

Edwards meanwhile, defending the administration’s response Thursday, saying he has spoken daily with the White House and would prefer Obama hold off on visiting because such stops pull local police and first responders into providing security.

O’Neal Bosley Jr. has been driving from his town of Plaquemien, to Baton Rouge to pass out water as residents deal with the aftermath of the flood that ravaged the city and killed over a dozen people.

“We’re glad you’re not playing golf at Martha’s Vineyard”, one woman told him, a jab at President Barack Obama.

That might help explain why people like Mary Sterling of Freehold and Kathy Wong of Florham Park flew red-eye flights earlier this week, leaving behind their homes where they have beds and electricity to work 12-hour days for free and sleep on cots.

Asked during a late afternoon news conference to comment on Trump s visit, Edwards avoided the subject.

“The team he (Obama) has on the ground in Louisiana is doing a great job”, said Nungesser, a Republican who greeted Trump when he arrived in Louisiana. “I would just as soon he wait a week or two. And then he can visit”.

In a statement, Trump says Manafort offered his resignation Friday morning.

“We welcome him to (Louisiana), but not for a photo op”, the governor’s office said in a statement, urging Trump to volunteer or make “a sizable donation”.

Trump has not indicated if he would make such a donation.

“You’re going to rebuild”, said Trump, who also wrapped Morgan in a hug. “I’ve had a great history with Louisiana”. “What’s happened here is incredible”. Nobody understands how bad it is, it’s really incredible. “It’s really incredible, so I’m just here to help”.

He added at an event in MI this evening: “To the people of Louisiana, we are with you and will always be with you”.

“He took time out of his busy schedule to come here”, Michelli said.

More than 40,000 homes have been damaged, Gov. John Bel Edwards office said Tuesday, after parts of southern Louisiana and MS were hammered by up to 25 inches of rain late last week. “In coming here, the President can decisively demonstrate that Louisiana’s recovery is a priority for his administration – and the United States of America”.

Neither Clinton nor Obama plan to visit the region.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Clinton urged her supporters to donate to the relief efforts. “The faster we can get funds down there, the more people we can help”, she said.