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Sandy Victim Promised ‘Immediate Help’ by President Obama Still in the Cold

Nov. 25, 2012 7:49pm Erica Ritz

Sandy Victim on White House Website Donna Vanzant Says Obama Visit Wasted a Lot of People

President Barack Obama holds a press conference in Staten Island, New York, after reviewing areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy on November 15, 2012. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Many political analysts believe Superstorm Sandy gave President Obama a small but critical boost before the 2012 election, allowing him to look like a bold, competent leader while also juggling his campaign duties.

Many voters said they appreciated how much he “cared” about the plight of the victims, and vowed to cut through any “red tape” to grant them immediate help.

On October 31, the White House posted a photo of the president hugging a disheartened woman in a blue sweatshirt, also featuring her in a video about Obama’s post-Sandy efforts:

(Photo: White House)

According to NorthJersey.com the woman is named Donna Vanzant and, though Obama promised her “immediate” assistance, she’s apparently seen no government help roughly a month later.

Kevin Wexler, who wrote the article, explains that he was present when the initial promise was made and recently chose to check in on Vanzant’s progress:

Vanzant estimates that her business losses will amount to at least $500,000, including the cost of repairing the marina.

Her son Stephen, 26, took a two-week leave from the Navy to come home to help out. He has started a Facebook page called Rebuild North Point Marina to seek contributions.

Vanzant has been moved by the many kindnesses she received from friends, family and customers. She heard from countless people after the photograph of her hug with the president was published, including from strangers as far away as Vietnam who wished her well.

She said she was honored to meet Obama, but she is also frustrated that she has yet to receive help from either her insurance companies or the government. “The president told me I would get immediate help,” she said.

“Looking back on it, it wasted a lot of people’s time,” she said of the visit. [Emphasis added]

Wexler adds that Vanzant’s future remains in the air.

“I am just moving minute by minute,” she said, “because the insurance companies are telling me no, no, no!”

(H/T: WeaselZippers/Citizen Journalist)

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Comments (307)

jmmjr49er
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:26pm
President Obama Claus does not like White People.

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- whatthecrazy
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 10:00pm
  @ JMM niether do his peeps i’m afraid.
  
  Report this comment
- txannie
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 10:00am
  What? She’s one of the wealthy, owning a marina and all…they’re just going to redistribute her wealth to people that “really” need help.
  
  Report this comment
- midwesthippie
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 10:04am
  …that picture (hug) is why obama won the “women’s” vote… remember: the first job of the community organizer is to destroy the community so that the “organizing” may begin…
  
  Report this comment
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 10:59am
  But,,,,she blames Bush…….
  
  Report this comment
- dbburns
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 1:50pm
  A picture is worth a thousand lies.
  
  Report this comment
- desertspeaks
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 2:54pm
  he doesnt just like white people, obama hates white people.. read dreams of my father “admittedly written by bill ayers”
  Ayers took obama’s crayon notes and compiled them into dreams of my father but did not redact obama’s hatred of white people!
  Further, obama attended Jeremiah Wright’s white hating church for 20+ years but never heard the racist hatred?? he “obama” not only heard the hate, he embraced it wholeheartedly!
  
  Report this comment
- BlackConservativeBeckBot
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 2:58pm
  Us Americans are taught to prosper on our own. It is what built this country, and how we came to be the great country that we are as individuals. You can’t be relying on Government handouts and the government waiting to do everything for you. Neighbors must help each other to thrive. Say no to Government welfare. Country first.
  
  Report this comment
- Questionman
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 3:43pm
  @to the rest of you klansman losers! It’s obvious you hate having black people in office. that’s the truth!
  
  Report this comment
- txs_sxs
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 4:06pm
  @Questionman…Hate to break it to you real racists, but Obama is half-black and half-white. Can’t deny biology unless you’re a liberal.
  
  Report this comment
- wordsofwisdom
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 4:21pm
  People people, this guy does not care about you period! How much help have you got so far?
  “What’s Wrong With This Song” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_9134749
  This is what politicians do, promise the moon & deliver nothing!
  
  Report this comment
- meeester
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 4:21pm
  but …at least she doesn’t have a penis. Maybe she should declare herself one of the letters in LGBT to get moved up the line a bit ( or take up golf)
  
  Report this comment
- bdsconserv
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:28pm
  so donna,tell me, did you vote for obama?
  
  Report this comment
- cosette
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:51pm
  @Questionman… I hate the white half too.
  
  Report this comment
- angf117
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:05pm
  youve got that right hes the most atheist piece of **** ive ever seen!
  
  Report this comment
- cosette
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:05pm
  Message to Donna…. You poor pathetic dolt… The man is a LIAR. If you haven’t noticed that in four years you deserve to be duped.You allowed that imposter to hold you in his arms for a photo op. I have no pity for you. Ancient proverb… “A wise man learns from the mistakes of others, a fool learns from his own”.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolfgang the Gray
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:57pm
  Those affected by Hurrican Sandy that voted for Obama after ALL the evidence over the last four years about his lies & disreputable actions, have no room to complain. They voted for 4-more years of his lies and deceit, if they are without power for the next 4-years, I will not shed one bloody tear.
  
  I don’t want anyone to suffer, especially such a tragedy as Sandy. However, decisions have consequences. That is who you vote for, where you choose to live, & whether or not to leave in an evacuation.
  
  Report this comment
- devildogger
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:44pm
  So? This is news to you? Remember when he wrote white voters off? They were clinging to God, guns and religion. Do you remember this? The guy is as anti American and as Communist as has ever sat in the White House.
  
  Report this comment
- TheOneAndOnly2013
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:36am
  @ COSETTE: I can tell you something right now. Donna is a family member of mine and she is acting like she’s gotten NO help at all when in fact she has received a check of $160,000 dollars to help with the Marina that she didn’t even build, matter of fact her ex husband Tom bought that Marina all she did was get it through a divorce.. So that “all my hard work” line of hers is BS!!! All she is trying to do is suck every damn dime she can get saying it’s 500,000 which is crap!!!
  
  Report this comment
nostromo
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:22pm
Too bad a Republican isnt prez. The plight of these folks would be headlines everyday. Now, the story is buried.

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- RLTW
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 10:59pm
  You summed up the sickness of the left quite well.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:15pm
You bought the lies and voted for these Communists for years. Own them!

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- RedHarley
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:24pm
  I started to write at least a paragraph about this story……then I decided to erase it all and replace it with one word that would say everything.
  
  MORON.
  
  Report this comment
- IndyGuy
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:50pm
  @ RedHarley….Well put…
  
  Report this comment
- amcneil2644
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 10:44pm
  They voted for him, they believed his lies, they can go knock on his door looking for help. Wait – he’s not there? He is out playing golf. Moron’s actually believed the lies and thought they would be getting all this free stuff. Guess they were wrong. Sorry. You won’t be getting anything from me. Harsh, maybe. But, its time for me to take care of my family and stop worrying about all the lazy people who want free stuff and voted for free stuff. The government takes enough of my hard earned dollars to pay for entitlement programs as it is. Next time – my advise – be prepared and don’t be so hasty to turn away those hard working electricians who don’t hold union cards who tried to help you out.
  
  Report this comment
- kadster01
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:40am
  I’m sure she went ahead and voted for him anyway.
  
  Report this comment
- scrudge
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 10:15am
  under obama they are just subjects… easily replaced by more subjects
  
  Report this comment
- cosette
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:18pm
  @AMCNEIL….. My sentiments exactly. Organizations collecting funds to aid blue state victims of Sandy will get nothing from me, unless those victims have four legs. I will always help the animals, they have no voice. As for the people, they voted for the nanny state, so they must learn to depend on their Marxist Messiha.
  
  Report this comment
- Darla_K
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:55pm
  Ain’t no fool like an old fool.
  
  Report this comment
DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:13pm
She’s not a person of color, and she didn’t build that business anyway, so why should we care about her? Give her some food stamps, some Section 8 and some free birth control and be done with her silly self.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:12pm
The jug eared Marxist lied huh? shocking isn’t it? Barry showed up for a photo op and the morbidly obese Christie gushed like a school girl when a simple thank you would have sufficed. She said she was honored to meet the president,she has no idea who her ruler is,not a clue she’s your typical obamazombie drone simple as that.

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- GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:46pm
  Even Pravda is mocking socialist Obama !!
  http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/19-11-2012/122849-obama_soviet_mistake-0/
  
  Report this comment
- CrazyChicken
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 1:39pm
  Putin watched the Obama phone video. Isn’t this a lovely country we all live in? I am making plans to get the heck out. We all have about 6-18 months before the **** hits the fan. Then what happened in Egypt will happen here. He is basically waiting for the right crisis. The dollar crashing will be his excuse for Martial Law, making him the Lord and Savior. I just want to puke!
  
  Report this comment
- gb123
  Posted on November 27, 2012 at 1:39pm
  Where is the Blimp anyway? (Christie)
  
  Report this comment
FalseFactBob
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:10pm
Fun Fact: If you hear the words “we are from the government and we are here to help” and you believed them. YOUR GOING TO HAVE A BAD TIME!!! :(

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- bulletsinthegun
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:49pm
  argeed
  
  Report this comment
- Old Ogre
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:30am
  Nothing like stating the obvious! ;-)
  
  Report this comment
GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:09pm
The first one of a long list of deceived Obama voters…..so lady, did you learn some important lesson here? You believed in Bathhouse Barry, there you have your outcome.

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- DennisHabern1
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 3:50pm
  If the Moron that currently resides in the White House, is a known homosexual, along with the
  
  Mayor of Chicago, why hasn’t the “WHITE PRESS” beat the drums to get rid of these two POS, in
  
  the same fashion, the drums should be beat to signal a high-level investigation in the bungled caper
  
  at “BENGHAZ” and the loss of 4 Americans. Don’t let this lying Black trash be given another pass;
  
  there is too much at stake, Americans. Get rid of the Moron and George Soros, reward the
  
  presidency to Romney after it has been proven that the Moron and Soros rigged the election, if you
  
  follow. In 2008, when the Moron failed to release his records, the flags should have gone up to
  
  demand what he was hiding. Four years later, he will be pulling the same old ****, and thus he
  
  once again remains a stranger, dedicated to the Muslim faith, not to the United States of America.
  
  What should transpire, is to question under oath, his two daughters and ask them what religion
  
  that they maintain, how often do they go to church, is there a Bible in the White House, and what
  
  religion does their father practice. If we maintained answers to these questions, I am sure that
  
  this Moron’s secrets would begin to unravel, if you follow. My old friend, DAFFY DUCK coined the
  
  correct phrase: both the moron and his ugly, fat, whining and unappreciative wife are “DESPICABLE.”
  
  Report this comment
Longslide
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:08pm
Silly rabbit,…the big O’s photo op is over,…if you didn’t get anything beforehand you bloody well aren’t going to get anything now…

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Tri-ox
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:07pm
obama hates white people (but he loves photo-ops).

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- bandit49
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 1:49pm
  Not sure why he hates white people. He’s far less black than white – his bio father was only half black. Plus, white folks took care of him his whole worthless life.
  
  Report this comment
SaturdaysWarrior76
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:07pm
Look at his face in that photo… FAKE compassion. He didn’t care one bit for this lady. This guy makes me sick. :(

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- Questionman
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 3:40pm
  You say Obama has NO compassion? Up yours you racist turd. At lease he’s doing something. What is the guy you prompted up to be the savior to America doing to help the victims? WHAT’S ROMNEY DOING??/NOTHING!!!
  
  they just spew blind hatred and rage.
  
  Well, at least you’re honest about your racism. Most of you disgusting
  Rethuglicans try to hide it. This is what makes my party better than
  yours.
  
  h
- Questionman
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 3:41pm
  You say Obama has NO compassion? Up yours you racist. At lease he’s doing something. What is the guy you prompted up to be the savior to America doing to help the victims? WHAT’S ROMNEY DOING??/NOTHING!!!
  
  they just spew blind hatred and rage.
  
  Well, at least you’re honest about your racism. Most of you disgusting
  racists try to hide it. This is what makes my party better than
  yours.
  
  Report this comment
- goahead.makemyday
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 4:53pm
  What is Obama doing now? Please tell me how Obama has in any way mentioned or focused on the rebuilding? What part of the rebuilding process or aid has been attributed to Obama? Before you say the words racist or hate I will remind you I have not said anything about race or used any inflammatory language. If you would please answer my questions and do me the favor of responding in kind if you could please.
  
  Report this comment
- athynz
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:29pm
  Questionman – First of all repeating yourself does not make you right, it simply makes you that much more annoying. Secondly Obama does not give a crap for white people… I guarantee that if the marina was owned by a black woman it would have been completely repaired by now all on the taxpayer’s dime. And before you spew your FUD and lies Democrats are the biggest bunch of racists on the planet. I’d say I’m amazed that you are unable to see it but you do not strike me as the intelligent type but rather the type to cleave to the party line without questioning anything which is rather ironic considering your pseudonym.
  
  Report this comment
- cosette
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:08pm
  @ Nostromo… Too bad those affected are white. Not a darn one I saw looked like Obamas’ son.
  
  Report this comment
- cosette
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:13pm
  @ Queationman…. “Turd”??? Did you say “turd”? LOL ! How old are you? And do your parents know you’re playing with their computer?
  
  Report this comment
- lev8mysoul
  Posted on November 27, 2012 at 12:25am
  @Questionman did you just ask what Romney did? Romney did the same thing that the majority of Mormons do when disasters strike, he helped gather food and other goods to send to those who would need them. Remember the Relief Event he held the day after Sandy hit?
  
  What exactly did Obama do to HELP those affected? All I saw him do was get on a plane and go hang out with the governor of NJ patting heads and saying “We are here for you” and getting his photo op to make himself look like some hero or something. All he did was get in the way while relief efforts were trying to get done. BTW, FEMA is STILL doing little to nothing
  
  Report this comment
- Proud Stray Dog
  Posted on November 27, 2012 at 8:42am
  @ Questionman
  
  Yes, I am racist because I will call a spade a spade, and you, sir, are a rambling idiot. You Demoncraps played the race card one too many times, now reap what you have sown. Your man-child is still an unqualified POS, and will soon show you his real intentions.
  
  PS: Even the Communist Revolutionaries in Russia believed Stalin until they were staring down the barrels of the firing squad’s guns.
  
  Report this comment
Gary_K
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:06pm
It depends on what the definition of “immediate” is.

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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:05pm
They get the Govt. they voted for.

And it’s like debating “Did God create the world in 7 days?” We don’t know how long God’s day is, and Obama didn’t specify how long Immediate is, it could be a week or 4 more years. We just don’t know.

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- Zipit
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:01am
  Dr.Tanagra!
  If only it had been a solar powered marina, and bundled donations to the Obama campaign were involved, help most certainly would have arrived! Days would seem like moments………
  
  Report this comment
Psychosis
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:05pm
nope

no longer feel sorry for the willfully ignorant

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- leyland
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 9:32pm
  agreed. i just hope she remember to take her meds… after all, i bet we’re paying for’em. That and her new Obamaphone… healthcare… EBT’s and etc!
  
  Report this comment
jessieH
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:05pm
Well, did she vote for this guy? If so, she got screwed, just like we all will be.

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Mudd
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:02pm
No help from the insurance company or the government? I’m shocked. I’ll bet the Tooth Fairy and Great Pumpkin didn’t come through either. Man, I’m tempted to stop believing in myths and fairy tales all together.

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- rebelpride37
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 9:27pm
  Well said Mudd, American’s continue to believe in a political system that does not have our best interest at heart. They pretend to care while the American people continue to suffer. Why don’t more people open their eye’s?
  
  Report this comment
NDPINDNT
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:58pm
Yea…well it still LOOKED GOOD on tv and the promo for Obama before the election. After that, he could give a ****.

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therealconservative
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:57pm
As Romney said “Gifts”

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IndyGuy
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:57pm
“She said she was honored to meet Obama,”….And no doubt voted for him…How’s that workin’ out for Ya??? Hmmmmmm???

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LeadNotFollow
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:56pm
.
Hurricane Sandy was nothing but a re-election campaign photo-op.
Why did so many people fall for Obama’s evil deception and lies?

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- gyro
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 10:08pm
  50% of americans are plainy Stupid
  any other questions?
  
  Report this comment
- EnglishPlease
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:52am
  I did not vote for Obama, but all I can figure it is like an abusive relationship. The abuser promises to never do it again and the abused believes it even though an outsider looking in knows that at some point the abuse will continue, it is just a matter of time. It is easier to believe a lie than face the truth. 52% of Americans are followers, not leaders. They will follow him right into hell all the while he is promising them heaven. An abused woman stays in a relationship out of fear and the voters voted for him also out of fear…fear of the economy, lack of jobs and being brainwashed into believing you can’t do it on your own. Therefore relying on the government for financial support is less frightening then relying on yourself. The down side is it puts a financial burden on the other half of the country who do maintain their own independence. I hope this helps shed some light on why people act the way they do. I know most would rather work and have self respect then not, but then there are those few that honestly feel they are owed by the rest of us. Then there are those that are just plain lazy and not very intelligent, those can be retaught.
  
  Report this comment
- seek.the.truth
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:41am
  @Englishplease
  Very interesting thought–thanks for sharing
  
  Report this comment
- YAHSHUARULES
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:34am
  Fell for the lies because protegee of the Frankfurt School and Antonio Gramsci succeeded in teaching a generation the equivalent of an unshakeable belief that snow is black. If you don’t know what that means you need to spend time watching agenda which is to create an America so corrupt it stinks.
  
  The end game is creating a population so dumbed down that they not only want big government but they will not survive without cradle to grave government care. Raising a generation so dumb they can’t govern themselves, they can’t critically think, they can‘t serve on juries competently and can’t vote intelligently.
  
  http://vimeo.com/52009124?action=share&ref=nf
  
  Report this comment
R.A. Bullseye
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:56pm
Hey the election is over what did you expect?

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zoro51
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:56pm
soicalist pandering LIEING wanna bea dictators will PANDER say anything to obtain votes after that YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN… IMPEACH N THROW OUT OF THE USA OBAMA NOW

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IndyGuy
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:54pm
Okey Dokey…

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FreedomCat
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:53pm
They voted for these schmucks so they own it. Or is it Bush’s fault?

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LeadNotFollow
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:52pm
.
Obama is an empty suit, with empty promises.

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- TH777
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:57pm
  And an empty chair.
  
  Report this comment
- bannedfromCNN
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 9:11pm
  …all hat and no cattle.
  
  Report this comment
- goahead.makemyday
  Posted on November 26, 2012 at 4:59pm
  All sand and no foundation.
  A mine with no gold.
  A kitchen with no food.
  
  Report this comment
kickagrandma
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 7:51pm
We ALL know that man keeps his promises. Yeah!

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