This Sunday, Joe Biden found himself back in Florida for the second time in a little over a week, surveying the fallout of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in a noticeably staged photo opportunity. Biden took the podium at St. Pete Beach, a location which bore the wrath of Category 4 Hurricane Helene and subsequently the brunt of Category 3 Hurricane Milton. St. Petersburg recorded wind gusts exceeding 70 mph for a period of three hours during the storm, and an astonishing peak gust of 102 mph. The result was an inundation of around 18 inches of rain, effectively transforming neighborhoods into lakes, obliterating homes, causing a crane to collapse into an office building, and rendering roughly half the city powerless.
The supposed leader of our nation seized this catastrophe to speak for approximately eight minutes amongst debris and a demolished home, using the hardship of people suffering as a mere backdrop for his rhetoric. He had the audacity to express relief over the hurricane being less devastating than anticipated. One could wonder if the citizens still trying to piece their lives together shared similar sentiments. When almost 50% of a city is still shrouded in darkness and the confirmed statewide death toll stands at 17, it feels trivial to dwell on the possibility of worse outcomes.
Under Biden’s command and misguided attempt at unity, he proclaimed, ‘We are one United States,’ – an ironic statement considering the deep divides his policies have caused. Rather than offering constructive solutions or acknowledging his administration’s shortcomings, he opted for vague platitudes, likely hoping they would suffice in place of true action and leadership.
Biden announced an allocation of $612 million to assist communities reeling from the recent fatal hurricanes. Part of these funds, $47 million each, is meant for Gainesville Regional Utilities and Florida Power and Light. He touted the narrative that this fund would not only restore power but lend to a more robust infrastructure, glossing over the fact that his administration should have prioritized this before such a disaster struck.
In his characteristic manner, Biden wasted no time in patting his own back while praising the emergency services. ‘This is all a team effort, folks. You made a big difference to save lives,’ he stated, conveniently shifting the focus off his own failings. ‘But there’s more to do’, he added, as though the population had all the time in the world to wait for his promises to materialize.
Despite his grand gestures and empty assurances, the fact remains that power outages persist and recovery efforts remain sluggish under Biden’s leadership. His quick visit was evidently more targeted at publicity than actual assistance, concluding at 11:52 a.m. and followed up by an exit promptly five minutes later, leaving behind more problems than solutions.
Senator Rick Scott and Representative Anna Paulina Luna, two of Florida’s leading state officials, were there beside the President during this visit. Given Biden’s track record, it’s unsurprising their presence did little to inspire confidence in his ability to manage the disaster and its aftermath.
A resident of St. Pete Beach, referred to as Parker in reports, described themselves as one of ‘the lucky ones.’ But is this luck or purely a reflection of the government’s inability to accurately predict and effectively respond to intense natural disasters?
Unsurprisingly, part-time St. Pete Beach resident Paul Giardina, whose property was spared from both hurricanes, was impressed by Biden’s appearance. It would be interesting to hear if the sentiments were shared by the not-so-fortunate, who weren’t as lucky to have had their homes spared from ruin.
Emergency management director Cathi Perkins expressed gratitude towards the state and federal governments for the help they are providing and the hope they are providing to the people. Perhaps she may feel differently were she one of the many still trapped in darkness without power or hope of swift recovery.
During desperate times, seeing potent figures like Biden may boost morale for some individuals. However, it’s crucial we don’t allow this to blur our perception of their actual efficiency. In reality, Biden’s cameo-like appearances do little to alleviate the genuine pain and suffering these ravaged communities are grappling with daily.
Biden’s brief visit and the subsequent allocation of funds may seem like benevolent gestures on the surface. However, one cannot help but wonder if these are merely desperate attempts to save face after waves of criticism have crashed upon his administration.
It’s difficult not to question the integrity of these altruistic claims considering the President’s history. When moments of crisis tested Biden’s leadership and judgment, tangible results left much to be desired. The reality that Americans are forced to cope with painfully contradicts his golden promises.
His well-crafted speeches filled with empathetic words can appeal to the hopeful, but they do little to mask the reality of American life under Biden. A reality where policies inflict more damage than they rectify, where hollow words do not match actions, and where division is propagated under the facade of unity.
Though this emergency marks another painful chapter for the citizens of Florida, it also offers yet another glimpse into the deep-seated issues of the current administration. While Biden continues to deliver a stellar performance in front of the camera, his actions behind it reveal a starkly different narrative. As receptive Americans, we must recognize this and commit ourselves to expect, demand, and strive for more.