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Flood zones become new battleground for Obama, McCain
The flood-ravaged communities of the Midwest became a new battleground in the presidential election as Democrat Barack Obama criticised Republican John McCain for opposing federal spending on flood prevention programs, attacks McCain's campaign called typical partisan politics.
- AP
- Published: 10:41 June 22, 2008
Washington: The flood-ravaged communities of the Midwest became a new battleground in the presidential election as Democrat Barack Obama criticised Republican John McCain for opposing federal spending on flood prevention programs, attacks McCain's campaign called typical partisan politics.
Both candidates have visited the flood zones in the past two weeks, since heavy rains forced thousands of people from their homes and inundated towns and cities in six US states.
During a speech on Saturday at the US Conference of Mayors in Miami, Obama criticised McCain for opposing a measure to spend $23 billion on water projects, which passed Congress but was vetoed by President George W. Bush. Congress voted to override the veto, for the first time in Bush's presidency.
Speaking of McCain's visit to the flood region, Obama said, "I'm sure they appreciated the sentiment, but they probably would have appreciated it even more if Sen. McCain hadn't opposed legislation to fund levees and flood control programs, which he considers pork."
Obama was making a reference to McCain's condemnation of wasteful so-called "pork barrel" spending on legislators' home districts.
The bill funded hundreds of projects - such as dams, sewage plants and beach restoration - that are important to local communities and their representatives. It also included money for the hurricane-hit Gulf Coast and for Florida Everglades restoration efforts.
McCain's campaign said Obama opposed an amendment that McCain co-sponsored to prioritise flood control spending.
The bipartisan amendment, which failed overwhelmingly on a 69-22 vote, would have made sure "lifesaving levees like those that so tragically failed in Iowa and Missouri are given the highest priority and fixed first," said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.
"Barack Obama's willingness to continue the status quo pork-barrel politics in Washington, and then engage in political attacks that entirely disregard the facts, once again fundamentally shows that he's nothing more than a typical politician," said Bounds.
"It is beyond the pale that Barack Obama would attack John McCain for actually trying to fix the problem and change the way Washington works."
Obama told city leaders that as president he would appoint the first White House Director of Urban Policy to help them cut through federal bureaucracies. The promise sparked a standing ovation.
He promised money for police, higher-paid teachers, transit, housing, broadband Internet and vowed to create jobs by rebuilding roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects.
"That will be the cause of my presidency," he said.
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