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Denise Donaldson's avatar

I agree, Bill, that the Dems' messaging has been horribly, inexcusable lacking. It doesn't matter that FEMA, Homeland Security, and the EPA (all arguably part of the Biden government) were all on the ground shortly after the derailment. Doesn't matter that Ohio Republican governor Mike DeWine initially, loudly refused federal aid. Doesn't matter that Biden issued assurance that Norfolk Southern would be held responsible. Doesn't matter that East Palestine is deep in tRump country. Doesn't matter that TFG's appearance was merely opportunistic and his show of sympathy was 100% bogus, after he signed legislation loosening controls on railroads (leading to the brake failure on the train). Nope.

Because perception is reality. It LOOKS to many as if Biden and the Dems haven't done enough. This was their moment to accomplish something real for constituents, and then publicize it to the skies. Instead, they've been slow to act. We don't know how the disaster will play out, whether the Dems will provide large-scale aid to East Palestine residents. But even if they do, if Biden declares a disaster area against DeWine's wishes, they will still not have acted quickly enough or forcefully enough. Or made enough political capital out of the situation.

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Alex's avatar

One problem with having a mainstream press that's almost wholly tilted toward the Democrats is that it encourages the Democrat administrators to be lazy and/or arrogant. They don't need to do the right thing because they think the press can always cover for them later either by re-framing their actions (or inaction) as positive or by ignoring it altogether. For instance, I'm seeing several more local stories of how the people in charge of the East Palestine operation are shipping waste soil and water to other locals without notifying the officials in the receiving counties. But I haven't seen those stories on the national news media. Although Tucker Carlson may cover it. I haven't been watching lately.

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