Romney speaks with FEMA
Davenport, Iowa (CNN) - Mitt Romney spoke Monday with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Administration and the National Weather Service as Hurricane Sandy slammed into the U.S. East Coast.
Romney joined the representatives from the agencies, as well as officials from the Department of Homeland Security, on a 20-minute phone call at 4 p.m. ET while the GOP nominee was in Davenport, Iowa for an event, according to campaign spokesman Kevin Madden.
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
- Check out the CNN Electoral Map and Calculator and game out your own strategy for November.
The presidential candidate received updates on the progress of the Category 1 hurricane, as well as the status of federal, state and local disaster relief efforts, Madden said. Romney was further briefed on the potential effects to states and communities in the storm's immediate aftermath.
Romney's comments about FEMA, made at a CNN Republican primary debate in June 2011, received renewed attention Monday. At the time, Romney said he favored states taking on a large role in disaster relief. "Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that's the right direction," he said.
Asked Monday whether Romney held the same position he did at the June 2011 debate, Romney campaign spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg explained the candidate believes "states should be in charge of emergency management in responding to storms and other natural disasters in their jurisdictions."
"As the first responders, states are in the best position to aid affected individuals and communities, and to direct resources and assistance to where they are needed most," Henneberg said. "This includes help from the federal government and FEMA."
While Romney canceled his campaign plans in Virginia on Sunday, in addition to an event in Wisconsin Monday night, he still held a rally in Iowa Monday. The campaign said the event was attended by 2,250 people, according to a count of those who went through security.
"I was speaking today with the National Weather Service and the folks at FEMA as they're preparing for the landfall of a very dangerous hurricane. It's going to affect a lot of families, it already has," Romney said at the event.
He continued: "And the damage will probably be significant and of course a lot of people will be out of power for a long time and so hopefully your thoughts and prayers will join with mine and people across the country as you think about those folks that are in harm's way."
The former Massachusetts governor encouraged supporters to donate to the American Red Cross. "We love our fellow Americans, wish them well!"
President Barack Obama, who also canceled campaign events, spoke to reporters in the White House Briefing Room earlier Monday, saying "millions of people" will feel the storm's impact. He held a briefing Sunday at FEMA's headquarters in Washington, D.C. and met with officials on Monday in the White House Situation Room.
– CNN's Rachel Streitfeld, Kevin Liptak and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
- Untitled
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- White House says 50 US officials targeted with spyware as it rolls out new ban of hacking tools
- Supreme Court won't review contempt conviction of anti-Chevron environmental lawyer
- Proud Boy testifies that talk of 'stacking bodies' was locker-room banter
- Trump hush money probe ends day without voting after appearance from ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker
Really, they didn't have anything else to do but chew the fat with Mitt for a little bit? They should've handed the phone to the kid delivering mail to the cubicle farm and let Mitt talk to him for a little while.
He's no longer the governor of any state...and certainly not President. Who cares!
Why is Romney wasting FEMA's time right now? He's not in charge, and doesn't direct what they do. He doesn't even want them to exist.
It is altogether fitting and proper that Mr. Romney meet with FEMA. If he is elected president, he may well still be dealing with these same issues.
Voters just need to ask a few simple questions. Would I want this man to invest my family funds or run my family business – for another four years? Or would I trust my family’s money to Mitt Romney?
Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady
Why is Romeny even talking to FEMA when he wants to get rid of it? Just another political Points Stunt? He has reversed himself on just about every issue out there. Coal Plants are Death Plants but now he loves Coal. 47 Percent of the Population are Victims and he doesn't care about them, but now he loves everyone. Wants to get rid of FEMA along with Christie but now they both welcoming the help with Open Arms?
So the race for the presidency is tied. That means half of the country is stupid enough to believe someone who changes their position every week so it aligns with what people want to hear? Hes gifted in the way of a Snake oil salesman and the sad thing is half of the voters have fallen for it.
Amazing that some people on this site are allowed to vote!
Nothing to fear folks, Romney's on it.
Mitt should be billed for the time federal employees took to talk with him. He's already spending federal dollars and he doesn't hold any public office. Pretentious and arrogant. He could have asked one of his Superpac's to direct some of their $ to disaster relief.
I considered voting for this guy. Not now. There is nothing this man won't stoop to. For the love of god, by next Wednesday, let us be rid of having to see his face every day in the news