Audio By Carbonatix
Charlie Crist juggled his schedule so he could fly down to Miami-Dade, where a press conference will be staged to comfort the Haitian people. But however little Crist has to lose in his Senate race against Marco Rubio, still he had better be careful about dashing toward ground zero, Giuliani-style, or posing on heaps of rubble a la George W. Bush.
Because what is a tragedy today will be a refugee crisis in the weeks to come. Any promises that Crist makes about Florida doing “all we can” to help the Haitian people could put him in the position of looking hard-hearted when he turns away refugees. Or looking soft if he invites them to Florida.
Of course, Obama faces a similar political dilemma. Maybe Crist should take a peek at what the smart kid wrote on his test. Obama’s just released remarks on the crisis in Haiti, after the jump.
Good morning,
everybody. This morning I want to extend to the people of Haiti the deep
condolences and unwavering support of the American people following yesterday’s
terrible earthquake.We are just now beginning to learn
the extent of the devastation, but the reports and images that we’ve seen of
collapsed hospitals, crumbled homes, and men and women carrying their injured neighbors
through the streets are truly heart-wrenching. Indeed, for a country and
a people who are no strangers to hardship and suffering, this tragedy seems
especially cruel and incomprehensible. Our thoughts and prayers are also
with the many Haitian Americans around our country who do not yet know the fate
of their families and loved ones back home.
I have directed my administration
to respond with a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save
lives. The people of Haiti will have the full support of the United
States in the urgent effort to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble, and to
deliver the humanitarian relief — the food, water and medicine — that
Haitians will need in the coming days. In that effort, our government,
especially USAID and the Departments of State and Defense are working closely
together and with our partners in Haiti, the region, and around the
world.Right now our efforts are focused
on several urgent priorities. First, we’re working quickly to account for
U.S. embassy personnel and their families in Port-au-Prince, as well as the
many American citizens who live and work in Haiti. Americans trying to
locate family members in Haiti are encouraged to contact the State Department
at 888/407-4747. I’m going to repeat that – 888/407-4747.
Second, we’ve mobilized resources
to help rescue efforts. Military overflights have assessed the damage,
and by early afternoon our civilian disaster assistance team are beginning to
arrive. Search and rescue teams from Florida, Virginia and California
will arrive throughout today and tomorrow, and more rescue and medical
equipment and emergency personnel are being prepared.Because in disasters such as this
the first hours and days are absolutely critical to saving lives and avoiding
even greater tragedy, I have directed my teams to be as forward-leaning as
possible in getting the help on the ground and coordinating with our
international partners as well.Third, given the many different
resources that are needed, we are taking steps to ensure that our government
acts in a unified way. My national security team has led an interagency
effort overnight. And to ensure that we coordinate our effort, going
forward, I’ve designated the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International
Development, Dr. Rajiv Shah, to be our government’s unified disaster
coordinator.Now, this rescue and recovery
effort will be complex and challenging. As we move resources into Haiti,
we will be working closely with partners on the ground, including the many NGOs
from Haiti and across Haiti, the United Nations Stabilization Mission, which
appears to have suffered its own losses, and our partners in the region and
around the world. This must truly be an international effort.
Finally, let me just say that this
is a time when we are reminded of the common humanity that we all share.
With just a few hundred miles of ocean between us and a long history that binds
us together, Haitians are neighbors of the Americas and here at home. So
we have to be there for them in their hour of need.
Despite the fact that we are
experiencing tough times here at home, I would encourage those Americans who
want to support the urgent humanitarian efforts to go to whitehouse.gov where
you can learn how to contribute. We must be prepared for difficult hours
and days ahead as we learn about the scope of the tragedy. We will keep the
victims and their families in our prayers. We will be resolute in our
response, and I pledge to the people of Haiti that you will have a friend and
partner in the United States of America today and going forward.May God bless the people of Haiti
and those working on their behalf.
Thank you very much.
