Obama: Getting Through the Storm Will Be a ‘Tough Slog’
- Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:20pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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President Barack Obama offered moral support Saturday to federal emergency management workers hunkered down for Hurricane Irene’s weekend march up the East Coast and 14,000 active-duty and National Guard troops were put on standby for post-storm relief work.
“Everybody here, you guys are doing a great job,” Obama told dozens of workers on a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s command center. Fully activated and operating around the clock, the center helps coordinate the federal response to natural disasters.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, meanwhile, told 6,500 active-duty troops to be prepared to help after Irene passes. Panetta issued a prepare-to-deploy order for troops from all branches of the military after affected states requested possible help, spokesman George Little said.
At least 7,500 National Guard troops also were prepared to deploy if needed, said Maj. Gen. David Harris, director of operations for the National Guard Bureau.
At the National Response Coordination Center, Obama said he was keeping close watch on the storm. The White House said top aides had updated him on Irene before the visit to FEMA headquarters and that he asked to be informed of the latest developments.
Obama said getting through the storm will be a “tough slog,” but he only had praise for the federal effort so far. He said he was encouraged during conversations Friday with governors and mayors from affected states when he asked what else they needed to prepare.
“There was quiet on the phone and that was a good sign,” he told the workers, who sat at computer stations clad in red or blue vests.
“This is still obviously going to be a touch-and-go situation for a lot of communities, but knowing that they’ve got an outstanding response team like this will make all the difference in the world,” he said. “Especially because you all are not going to get any sleep for the next 72 hours or so.”
Obama was accompanied by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and John Brennan, his assistant for homeland security.
The president shortened his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and returned to Washington late Friday, several hours earlier than planned, because of the storm.
Obama also participated in a daily video conference at FEMA with federal and state emergency management officials. He said flooding and loss of power were the big concerns.
“It sounds like that’s going to be an enormous strain on a lot of states,” Obama said during a brief portion of the conference that was open to the media.
He said the government is aiming to be as effective in Irene’s aftermath as it has been with its preparations before the storm became a threat to the U.S.
“It’s going to be a long 72 hours and obviously a lot of families are going to be affected,” the president said.
Separately Saturday, a group of House Republican lawmakers called on the administration to replenish a FEMA disaster relief account that has less than a $1 billion. The lawmakers, including House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers, R-Ky., contend that level of funding will make it harder for the government to provide financial aid to people and communities harmed by natural disasters, including Irene.
A FEMA spokeswoman said the agency will have the money it needs because it has begun restricting funding on longer-term repair and rebuilding projects from prior storms to focus on more urgent and immediate disaster needs.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.




















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Comments (210)
Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:17pmDefinition of a “tough slog”: the ext 437 days.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:13pmObama, the most hated president of any nation of any era.
He makes everyone sick to the stomach. Why did he return? Why didn’t he stay where he was. Even his wife and kids cannot stand him. I hate the white and black parts of him. Who needs or wants him in a hurricane center.
Report Post »LOLReally
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:42pmHe is saying “Please don’t be my katrina, please don’t be my katrina, please don’t be my katrina”.
Report Post »Mrtoohappy
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:48pmWe do so much better then he is out of town.
Report Post »gramma b
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 10:09pmWhat an idiot, sitting there for his photo op as if he were actually doing something. I’m sure he is just in the way.
Report Post »itsmyfirstday
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 10:10pmAMEN….oh…sorry…Praise Allah….
Report Post »Sy Kosys
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 10:16pmIt’s the worst storm since the Great Depression…..
Report Post »MastrSSG
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 10:25pmTo define “tough slog”…….Its actually code for, The best thing to happen to the Obama administration since the Arab Spring.
Whatever you do please let this wonderful crisis go to waste. It gives him a target to focus his failed policies on as well as an opportunity to move his agenda forward. Bankrupting the system through more “investment” so government can take more control and power from the people. Remember when we used to actually help each other and not just loot and wait for the Federal Government to bail us all out….FEMA anyone.
Don’t kid yourself these Big Government people know exactly what they’re doing. They know as long as we depend on them we will become even more divided as families, neighbors, and communities. United we stand, Divided we fall!!!
Report Post »If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. Dont tell me those “clichés” don’t mean anything.
buckster6.0
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 11:08pmAnd brownie your doin a heck of a good job……………
Report Post »darkloch
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 11:53pmwell if obama uses his know how he will create and bigger storm to stall and turn back irene. the only way to stop a storm is with a storm as big or bigger…. obama logic 101…he’s a college professor…
Report Post »darkrage000
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 12:33amif Obama uses his know how, we will have to declare the area a Planetary Disaster Area
Report Post »Falsegods
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 1:22amJohn1776, made a good point,
it is always about ‘o’ and how it will affect ‘o’.
A real leader cares first
Report Post »about the people in the country he leads .
Where is his heart ?
AzDebi
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 2:33amHe is a despicable man! The more I study up on Washington DC the more I am certain that investigative committees need to be convened, charges need to be levied and people need to be going to jail! Obama is a LIAR…AND…God Hates A Liar! Obama thinks he is “above it all”…welp…he isn’t “above” the MAN ABOVE and his day of reckoning WILL COME! AND…the absolutely corrupt American news media will also have their day of reckoning!
They aren’t reporting to you about the hunger going on all over the world because of the policies coming out of WASHINGTON DC related to bribery and agriculture! A billion people (more than the number of people who have perished in ALL wars ever fought) are going to die because of what they and Monsanto are doing…
The people of this great nation are awakening and it is NOT going to be a pretty picture…people are suffering while he and his family abuse the privileges “WE THE PEOPLE” afforded to them! He has USED UP any credit he had for being the first black man to sit in the oval office…Americans don’t HATE him because he is black…they HATE him because people are suffering and the man DOES NOT CARE, in fact, it is his intention to destroy as much of this nation as he possibly can…I read that his WIFE has spent 10 million dollars on VACATIONS just THIS YEAR! They care NOT for this nation nor her people…they need to GO AWAY and SOON!
Report Post »M-O-O-N Spells Moon
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 3:43amI just hope they don’t try to violate the Constitution here like they did after Katrina. I also hope there are many members of Oath Keepers among the troops they will deploy to assist in cleaning up afterward.
Report Post »stablepar
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 8:53amlet’s get serious here. if this were florida, 200mph winds, 25″ of rain and power out for 2 weeks he’d head off on another vacation and we would not hear from him for a week or 2…one reason i assume is we didn’t vote for nor shall we vote for him….semper fi
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 10:02amAlready not his Katrina. To be his Katrina, he‘d have to go to McCain’s several-day birthday bash, put the Arabian horse-trainer guy in charge of FEMA, then “heckuvajobbrownie” after the disastrously-inadequate response.
Report Post »johnnycatt
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 11:02amy’all REALLY think there will be an election in 2012.. REALLY? REALLY? C’mon…. why do you think they are so confident in ramming policies through… No, we won’t have an election next year..it’ll look like it right up until “the big thing” happens… I don’t know what that is, but supreme executive power will be handed over to BHO to deal with “the big thing”.. and the last glimmer of the light of freedom will be extinguished for another millennium…
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 11:09amLol lol!!!!
Report Post »Uechi
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:10pmHey Barry your the Messiah calm the waters and while your at it do a walk. Please the hype on this storm is unbelievable. You would think that niohing else of import is going on in the US or anywhere else in the world. The hurricane certainly isn’t an Andrew or a Katrina. The whole reporting is a frigging joke.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:17pmThank you Obama for saving us from this wrath of nature, due to man’s evil carbon dioxide. Educated people like me know that If I were not breathing, this storm would not have caused so much beach erosion.
Report Post »fatjack
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:38pmMy hero, he saved me.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 2:06amNow I know how the British must have felt in 1940 from the “moral support” of a great leader. NOT
Report Post »Xkiller
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 2:31pmThis brings two things to mind….(1) what was he doing behind our backs when all the hype was going on. The media love to help here. And (2) they are probably bummed now that it was a wash and they can’t declare martial law over half the atlantic seaboard.
Report Post »I bet big sis was pissed she could’nt roll out the brown shirts.
tom
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:09pmThe “tough slog” will be from God for for millions of dead, slaughtered in the womb, slaughtered partially outside the womb, and those slaughtered after being “Born Alive, thanks to Obama. Position in this world, wealth, being a minority, or belief in the demonic ideology of “collective salvation” or the Marxist ideology of “Social Justice” that has to come from the individual heart, will not prevent God from doing what evil people are condemning themselves to, the eternal loss of their souls. Trust God’s Word, he never lies!
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:13pmIs tough slog Kenyan for jihad
Report Post »noah2854
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 10:16pm@ TOM you are so right !
Report Post »neverending
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 10:29pmTruer words have never been spoken
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:07pmNever want to waste a “crisis.” Never want to waste a photo opportunity. Am sure this president will have a long and happy media career after 2012. Just getting his on the job training now!
Report Post »claymoremacm
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:17pmAl Gore II
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:20pmsaid. “Especially because you all are not going to get any sleep for the next 72 hours or so.”
Are you kidding, looked like Janet Napolitano was already sleeping….Wonder how
Report Post »many stuck around after He left ??
MIBUGNU2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:36pmWonder where he came up with the word “SLOG ???
Oh, Ok ! He’s sitting next to ONE…….
Report Post »johnnycatt
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 11:07amphoto op… did you notice Der President had a name placard in front of him… ok, who were the morons/space aliens who would have been looking around the room whispering: “Whose the skinny black guy who thinks he’s in charge?” if there was no name placard? I would imagin if you were a high-ranking govt weather magician if you didn‘t know who the Prez was you probably wouldn’t recognize a hurricane either…
Report Post »Mike Benton
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:05pmHe says: “….tough slog…” He is emulating Rumsfeld. What a guy!
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 11:16amCaught that did ‘ya?? Good catch!
The ‘just like Reagan’ thing isn’t working for him. Let‘s pull up anything to project ’Power/Capable’…
Honestly, I’m fairly concerned he will create a very real crisis prior to Nov. 2012
Report Post »StarlandKid
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:03pm“A tough slog”…. Just like his presidency!
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:00pmYes America, he really is as stupid as he sounds.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:28pmStill would love to see those school records, but he grew up in the “good job,“ A A generation when all real standards went out the window so that all students would not face failure and could feel ”good”about themselves. Might be as ignorant as an empty basket, but they had good egos. Sound familiar?
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 10:19pmYou know… Slog. like when rain and sand and stuff get soggy it’s kinda Sloggy!
Report Post »This guy is a walking, talking, Ringling brother, Barnum and Bailey, three-ring circus CLOWN !!!!
AmericanPatriot01
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 5:06am@ Barber the records have been release due to a court order from Oxidental College. It shows he received foreign student aid as a foriegn student from indonesia. Officially that makes him an illegal alien/immigrant having over stayed his visa. look it up it is for real. They have the evidence they need to remove not only from the presidency but to deport his sorry A$$. My question is why are they waiting, what are they waiting for,
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 11:22am@AmericanPatriot01:
Report Post »The sad thing is that were WE THE PEOPLE able to get ANYONE on our side on this issue…not only could he be REMOVED…but the policies that have been implemented could be cleansed from our Republic! As it stands, he will hopefully be voted out and it will take GENERATIONS to remove the damage that has been done…IF IT EVER CAN BE REPAIRED! AND, THEY know this! Go Figure!
StevenL1955
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:58pmThe Story should have read
Obama: Getting Through the Next Election Will Be a ‘Tough Slog’
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:38pmThe president wants to look “tough” because the Far Left is calling him spineless because he did not succeed in destroying the Republicans in the budget /deficit talks. They will only be happy if he shuts down Fox News, declares Martial Law, bans the Tea Party, punishes all “rich” people , throws all conservatives out of the Supreme Court, and stops all wars. He has more problems with his anarchistic Left than with any Republican. And he knows that !
Report Post »sweathog1948
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:56pmI bet we will be seeing a lot more of Obama trying to show leadership, which he knows nothing about. This is just part of his running for a second term. I would not doubt that some of these states that are being hit by the storm he needs their votes to be relected. I do not trust anything this guy does, there is always something in it for Obama, not for the country we love, that he is trying his best to destroy.
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:55pmi ve dealt with FEMA at Tuscaloosa,Alabama after the tornado and everyone i know got turned down and the paper work is so completed with blotted government and red tape nothing every got done .. they need to be shut down because they are worthless ..
am sure king obama will pat you on the back because he s as worthless as FEMA
Report Post »hempstead1944
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:52pmApparently, …….the King has spoken.
Report Post »junior1971
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:51pmI did N0T read this story, because I do N0T care what this pompass POS thinks or say’s!!!! Why does the media care? Did yomama feel the earthquake while playing golf? Does yomama eat burgers at burger joints? Does yomoma have a plan to save the universe? What did yomoma say about the hurricane? Dear God people, I simply do N0T care what yomoma thinks or say’s!!! Enough!
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 6:48amHe said yomoma!
Report Post »mwhaley
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:45pmDo you know what Hurricane Irene and Obama have in common. Either one you will still loose your house.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:57pmHas he blammed the hurricane on Bush yet?,my prayers and thoughts for everyone in the path of Irene
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:23pmBut, don’t forget that “redistribution ” and the “you can have a home because everyone is entitled to have a home in America – no job, no credit, no matter!” rhetoric! Not to worry: just raise the taxes on those nasty “ rich ” people – you know, those people who have 2 jobs and who pay taxes!! No problem. The Robin Hood Administration is here for you.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:15pm@MWHALEY
That was a good one….lol
Report Post »DIVIDE JERUSALEM AT YOUR OWN PERIL
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 8:11pmLets be fair and balanced and blame this hurricane on Obama. Just sayin’. :) LOL
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:41pmA tough slog? This guy is an idiot. Issue a high wind alert and let it go. Impeach this bozo.
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:47pmphoto op….listen to all those cameras clicking away!
Report Post »John 1776
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:49pmTough Slog? He’s all comfy! We are the ones in the eye of the storm! What a Dip-Sht. You want to hear a proper leader Mr O? Watch the tape of Christie telling people the get the H*ll off of the coast!
Proactive, not Reactive. Can’t wait till 2012 !
Report Post »avenger
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:50pmboohoo..this is fkng pathetic..what slog..the chef ran out of smoked boar ribs..
Report Post »Fat Albert
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:36pmI would be a lot more afraid of Obammy and Napolitano than i would be of the storm. At least you know what the storm is going to do not so with those two.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:41pmYou are right
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:43pmwow!
Report Post »a photo of Obama without a golf club in hand …
loriann12
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:53pmDoesn’t he have less gray than the last picture? Either he colored the gray out, or he forgot to put it in.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:17pmWhat, no Executive Order to “deport” Irene? Oh, forgot, he’s not doing that any more until she commits a “felony.”
Report Post »Dangerous Dave
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:36pmTough slog? But B Hussein, you said this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal ??????
Report Post »claraclownie
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:33pmWhat a tragedy if Wall Street and Goldman Sachs fall into the East River!
Report Post »Bacct
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:32pm“Never let a good crisis go to waste” is the mantra of this administration and they’ve, yet again, jumped on that bandwagon for all it’s worth. Small surprise. I just KNEW Obama was going to make himself visible now that he‘s back in Washington after hiding out on the golf courses near Martha’s Vineyard.
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:37pmhe needed to get away from muchelle
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:32pmHe is totally appropriate, but let’s look at what the taxed enough already brothers and sisters here can find to unfairly criticize the hardest working president we have ever had in office. Could it be that he is a working class mullet that cannot understand rain?
TEA
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:31pmTropical storm Irene and Obama creates a virtual crisis from a thunderstorm. What in the world would we do if the Poseur-in-Chief didn’t leave the vacation links to walk on water for the “unwashed”?
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:37pmThe only storm surge is the tidal wave of BS coming out of the government and the MSM on this tropical storm. Why is NOAA involved in feeding BS wind readings to the US citizens at large?
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:38pmHow in the He** would he know what a “tough slog” is?? The useless SOB has never done a “tough” thing in his entire wasted life. GO BACK ON VACATION YOU USELESS ELITIST ASS and leave the reat of us in peace, never having to see of hear you ever again…Just go!!
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:14pmHey, he needs a “distraction” from the economy and the two flights to / from the vacation! Gotta look in charge and engaged with Mother Nature since he can’t seem to get engaged with Father Economy!
Report Post »VApatriot2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:30pmUhhh, what the hell is a slog?
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:32pmGoogle “ebonics for dummies”.
Report Post »GiGi80
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:36pmDefinition of SLOG
1 a : hard persistent work
b : a prolonged arduous task or effort
2: a hard dogged march or journey
Courtesy of Merriam-Webster (a “dictionary”)
Report Post »GiGi80
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:40pmWhat the hell ails you people? Do you have to find something negative in everything Obama does? Or a conspiracy — a “false flag” — in everything?
Report Post »I do not think Obama has been a great president, but he is not — despite what some conspiracy freak might tell you — the anti-Christ.
Stoic one
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:53pmgigi you are right…. obama is just a marxist– that is far better than the Anti-Christ.
Report Post »corbecket
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:07pm@GIGI80
“I do not think Obama has been a great president, but he is not — despite what some conspiracy freak might tell you — the anti-Christ.”
I don’t think anyone on this thread has called him “the anti-Christ”. Nice attempt at a straw man argument though. It’s not very artistically done, but it is a fair example of the method.
FWIW, are you aware that the same technique is referred to as “Aunt Sally” in Britain? I offer this because it is good to know the history of the tools you are attempting to use. No thanks necessary. I enjoy the research, but when I saw your attempt, I thought I might supply a critique. Next time you’ll improve!
Report Post »USLibertyNow
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:24pm@corbecket
No, I don’t seriously believe him to be the anti-christ, but I am certain that upon meeting the anti-christ that he would promptly bow deeply and kiss his ring.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:37pmI believe he would LIKE to be the Anti-Christ…
Report Post »But he’s too busy screwing up.
corbecket
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:13pmAnd don’t forget that the anti-Christ would do a much better job. Obama is far too transparently obvious about what he is up to. The AC would be supernaturally subtle, and effective, in his methodology.
No, I‘m afraid Obama isn’t quite up to snuff in the AC department. As Stoic One said, Obama’s just a Marxist, and his time is rapidly running out. The electorate is finally on to him, and he’s losing.
Report Post »Living In NYC
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 11:16amVaPatroit2..it is a poll tested word for the one who thinks he is great….lol
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:30pmI bet obambam screws this up worse than the BP Oil Spill….!!!!!!
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:09pmWouldn’t matter as his fawning MSM would never cover nor admit as much. Media Matters and they are all in the Obama / Soros pocket !
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:19pmHe may not screw it up, but you can be sure that this will be added to his long list of head winds
Report Post »conservative_teacher
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:29pmNever let a good crisis go to waste, eh Barack? At least in this regard the man is consistant.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:26pmPar with Grace has never been his technique.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:25pmYay the Great one can calm the seas and smooth the troubled waters!
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:16pmReally? The Great One probably has Mushell squeeze the pimples on his face. He better watch she doesn’t squeeze the pimple on his shoulders.
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:18pmObummer’s **** sleeves rolled up, working hard, to save the country…again. I would laugh, but half of the country is buying this bull crap
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