Politicizing the Oklahoma Tornado

Rhode Island Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse took to the Senate floor Monday to attack Republicans for being "anti-science" and "climate deniers" as emergency responders were still working through the night to save lives after a devastating tornado hit the Oklahoma City area that day, injuring hundreds and leaving 24 dead–including seven children. Whitehouse was immediately criticized for politicizing the tragedy, and a spokesman for the Senator issued a statement Tuesday apologizing for the 'timing' of the speech, claiming "unbeknownst to the Senator at the time, a series of tornadoes were hitting Oklahoma at the same moment he gave his remarks."

POLITICO's Glenn Thrush has also been criticized for tweets he made Monday night, calling Oklahoma's Senators "1) a federal spending skeptic and 2) global warming denier." Roll Call's Meredith Shiner pitched in with prickly comments on social media Monday night as well, tweeting "Will the GOP lawmakers tweeting 'thoughts and prayers' to Oklahoma tonight demand disaster aid be offset?"

Is it a forgone conclusion that the natural disaster in Oklahoma will become a talking point for progressives moving forward? Andrew Wilkow believes so, and took on the politicization of the Oklahoma City area tornado during his show on TheBlaze TV Wendesday. Watch a clip below: