Obama visits Massachusetts agency dealing with flooding
(CNN) - President Barack Obama made a previously unannounced visit Thursday to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, which is dealing with widespread flooding in the region.
Obama made the stop after a speech on health care reform in Portland, Maine, and before two fundraising appearances in Boston.
At the emergency agency's facility, Obama met with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a fellow Democrat and political ally, as well as local officials and workers combating flooding from recent storms. He spoke with workers coordinating the response to the flooding, saying at one point: "Sounds like at least with some sunshine and sandbags, we can hope for the best."
Patrick has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard.
The worst flooding has occurred in neighboring Rhode Island, where more than 10,000 people were without power and officials said long-term recovery could take months.
A rainstorm soaked Northeastern states Tuesday, worsening the effects of a major storm that struck two weeks ago.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will visit Rhode Island on Friday to inspect flood damage and meet with state and local leaders to discuss response and recovery efforts.
In Connecticut, Gov. Jodi Rell said a state of emergency put in place for the earlier storm remains in effect.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the state.
Updated: 6:17 p.m.
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You gotta love the way this man packs a 36 hour day into a 24hr day.
The hardest working President EVER!!!! And the most caring.
SMOOTH MOVE PRESIDENT OBAMA
It is politically smart for President Obama to make a showing in Massachusetts during this time, , , , especially after Martha Coakley's Senate campaign debacle.
SMOOTH MOVE PRESIDENT OBAMA
It is politically smart for President Obama to make a showing in Massachusetts during this time, , , , especially after Martha Coakley's Senate campaign debacle.
Now if only Senator Kerry can get off his buns and make an impact, and stop waiting for President Obama to carry the load for Massachusetts. Ever since Obama chose Senator Joe Biden to be his V.P., and Senator Hillary Clinton to the Secretary of State; Senator Kerry has effectively taken his bat & ball and gone home.
Obama is marking time until the March job numbers come out. After hiring 200,000 part time census workers he is hoping to show an increase in the job numbers, but if not the Labor Dept. will use their fuzzy math or change the way numbers are calculated to make them look good. WHAT EVER IT TAKES.
After he forgot to mention their plight during his campaign speech before hand. Once in awhile bozo wakes up. Now if he could just get his head on straight where Israel is concerned.
did he push health care there too. is it not odd that he has to keep selling it to the people AFTER he signed it. Does that not seem backwards to anyone but me....