By Richard Luthmann
As Hurricane Helene barreled toward the southeastern U.S., The Unknown Podcast co-host and FLGulfNews.com editor Richard Luthmann warned about the political impact a natural disaster could have in an election year.
“Hurricanes can change everything in a presidential race,” Luthmann told co-host Michael Volpe, citing Hurricane Andrew's political fallout in 1992 when George H.W. Bush’s mishandling of the response, in part, cost him the presidency.
As the devastation from Hurricane Helene becomes clearer, Luthmann’s predictions have materialized. While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp showed decisive leadership, Vice President Kamala Harris’s four-day delayed “photo-op” response may cost Democrats crucial swing states in the 2024 election.
DeSantis Takes Immediate Action in Florida
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic damage to the Panhandle and surrounding areas. Gov. DeSantis declared a state of emergency before the storm even reached the Gulf of Mexico. On September 25, DeSantis activated the Florida National Guard and began pre-positioning 18,000 utility workers.
“DeSantis’ response was excellent,” Luthmann said in a follow-up podcast episode. “He called a state of emergency while the storm was still by Honduras.”
By the time Helene hit, Florida was prepared. DeSantis ensured that schools were shut down, first responders were on the ground, and evacuation orders were in place.
“DeSantis mobilized resources early,” Luthmann noted, praising the governor’s proactive measures. “That’s why we didn’t see as many deaths in Florida. People were moved out of the danger zones in time.”
While the storm devastated the Florida coast, particularly in the Panhandle, the state’s preparedness minimized casualties. Costal communities from Fort Myers Beach to were heavily damaged, with some areas seeing five feet of water engulf entire neighborhoods. But DeSantis’ quick action ensured that rescue and recovery efforts began almost immediately after the storm passed.
Kemp’s Decisive Leadership in Georgia
In neighboring Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp followed DeSantis’ example. On September 25, Kemp issued a state of emergency, bracing the state for Helene’s impact. The National Hurricane Center forecasted that the storm would bring Category 3 strength winds and heavy rainfall as it moved from Florida into Georgia.
Kemp wasted no time in mobilizing resources. He ordered the deployment of 500 Georgia National Guard troops to assist in preparation, response, and recovery efforts across the state. The storm was expected to cause widespread flooding, particularly in south-central Georgia, and Kemp ensured that the state was ready.
“Kemp did exactly what needed to be done,” Luthmann said. “He got the resources in place before the storm hit, and that’s the kind of leadership you need in a crisis.”
Georgia’s preparedness allowed the state to respond quickly once Helene made its way through the region, minimizing damage and keeping casualties low. Luthmann acknowledged that while he’s not always a fan of Kemp, the governor’s response to the hurricane was commendable.
“Kemp stepped up, and it showed,” Luthmann stated.
Kamala Harris’ Late Response and Political Pandering
In contrast to the leadership shown by DeSantis and Kemp, Vice President Kamala Harris was notably absent from the early stages of the disaster response. It wasn’t until September 29—four days after Helene made landfall—that Harris tweeted about being briefed by FEMA on the situation.
“I was just briefed by @FEMA_Deanne Criswell on the latest developments about the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene,” Harris tweeted. She added that she had spoken with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper about ongoing rescue efforts.
But for Luthmann and many others, the response came far too late.
“Kamala Harris’ tweet was nothing more than political pandering,” Luthmann said. “She was late to the game and didn’t show any real leadership. Compare that to DeSantis, who was mobilizing resources days before the storm hit.”
Luthmann argued that Harris’ inaction will hurt the Democrats in critical swing states like Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
“This delayed response isn’t going unnoticed,” he said. “People in these states are going to remember who was there for them during the storm—and who wasn’t.”
Harris’ perceived lack of urgency also played into broader criticisms of the Biden administration’s handling of crises. “Biden hasn’t been out front on this disaster, and that’s because he can’t be,” Luthmann claimed. “He’s not mentally sharp enough to lead during a crisis, and Kamala Harris should have stepped up. But instead, we got a tweet four days late.”
A Missed Opportunity for the Democrats?
The timing of Hurricane Helene’s landfall couldn’t have been worse for Democrats. With the 2024 presidential election just weeks away, the administration’s response—or lack thereof—could sway voters in key battleground states. “Kamala Harris’ inaction may very well cost Democrats Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania,” Luthmann predicted.
Luthmann contrasted Harris’ late tweet with DeSantis’ immediate action. “DeSantis is a leader,” he said. “He knew what needed to be done, and he did it. People are going to remember that when they head to the polls.”
Georgia, a state that flipped blue in 2020, is particularly vulnerable. Luthmann believes that Kemp’s strong response to Helene will bolster Republican support, possibly tipping the state back into the red column.
“Kemp showed up, and that’s going to matter,” Luthmann stated.
Hurricane Helene: A Defining Moment for 2024
As the cleanup from Hurricane Helene continues, the political implications are becoming clearer. Governors like DeSantis and Kemp have proven that effective leadership in times of crisis can shape public perception and sway voters. Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s delayed response, exemplified by Harris’ late involvement, has drawn sharp criticism.
Luthmann concluded his analysis by predicting that Helene will play a major role in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign.
“This storm will be a part of the conversation,” he said. “People are going to be asking: who can handle a crisis? And right now, the answer isn’t the Biden administration.”
With critical swing states like Georgia and North Carolina still recovering from the storm, the response to Hurricane Helene may very well decide the outcome of the 2024 election. As Luthmann pointed out, “Natural disasters have a way of revealing who the real leaders are—and who’s just playing politics.”
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