Obama monitors response to Joplin, Missouri tornado from abroad

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, during his visit to Dublin, Ireland, May 23, 2011. The President and Gov. Nixon discussed the deadly tornado that touched down in Joplin, Mo., Sunday night.

/ Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Obama was in Ireland Monday, kicking off a week-long tour through Europe, but he is monitoring the aftermath of the Missouri, tornado that killed at least 89 people Sunday.

The president received multiple updates on the tornado damage throughout the course of his flight to Ireland, a White House official told reporters. He instructed his staff to keep him updated and to stay closely coordinated with state and local officials going forward.

Mr. Obama called Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon this morning "to personally extend his condolences and to express that all of the families of Joplin affected by the severe tornadoes are in his thoughts and prayers," according to White House spokesman Nicholas Shapiro. "The president assured the governor that FEMA [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] will remain in close contact and coordination with state and local officials."

The president has directed FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to travel to Missouri to ensure the state has the support it needs. In addition, in anticipation of requests for assistance, a FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) is en route to Joplin, the White House said. This team will work with FEMA officials already in Missouri, as well as state and local officials, to identify disaster response needs.

Emergency personnel walk through a neighborhood severely damaged by a tornado near the Joplin Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., Sunday, May 22, 2011.

/ AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Mr. Obama released a statement on Monday morning addressing the tornado and the severe storms across the Midwest:

"Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the tornadoes and severe weather that struck Joplin, Missouri as well as communities across the Midwest today. We commend the heroic efforts by those who have responded and who are working to help their friends and neighbors at this very difficult time. At my direction, FEMA is working with the affected areas' state and local officials to support response and recovery efforts, and the federal government stands ready to help our fellow Americans as needed."

[ENUFFalready]

Wheres Kanye West to proclaim that Obama hates white people!!!!
Oh yeah, the hipocracy runs rampant among liberals...politicians, performers, media.
But I'm just saying what everybody is already thinking...

[discussthis]

0bummer: "Let those Ozark rednecks cling to their guns and bibles".

[san850]

Sick.

[san850]

It's heartwarming that Joplin is getting an outpouring of much needed assistance from ALL kinds of folks and organizations from all over the United States.

[justme2012]

Meanwhile, back in Joplin, Tea Party groups are staging clean up work days to help the victims of the tornados.

[san850]

justme2012 is one sick dude/dudette....how's your sugardaddies doing today?

[Lindag10]

I'm sure there are other groups there like the Red Cross and even some of those "Liberals", Sheez.

[justme2012]

"LONDON: US President Barack Obama's limousine is the most technologically advanced bulletproof vehicle in the world.

Nicknamed 'The Beast' by Secret Service staff, the cost of the black Cadillac is 185,000 pounds (USD 300,000) that can withstand attack from rocket-propelled grenades.

This special car which is fitted with every conceivable defence mechanism, from super-thick bulletproof glass to tear gas canisters and pump-action shot guns, will carry Obama during his visit to the UK and Ireland this week, 'Daily Express' reported today. "


How embarrasing, Obama just got his car stuck on a speed bump in Dublin.

He's such a loser!

[justme2012]

Want to see the footage, go to Huffington Post, they show it stuck for over 6 minutes and finally even they got bored with it.

LOL

[justme2012]

It just gets better, the Obama's had to abandon the car which was built by GOVERNMENT MOTORS.

Proof that socialism is a disaster!

[Lindag10]

by justme2012 May 23, 2011 10:51 AM EDT
Worse, he left for vacation during record flooding along the Mississippi. Water is still not expected to crest until the 27th. As American families watched their homes, farms, and jobs destroyed, Obama jetted off to Ireland for yet another vacation.

But then, Obama's disdain of the south is well known.


--------------------

What exactuly do expect Obama to DO about the floodwaters? The Army Corps of Engineers are doing the job they're supposed to do so unless you think Obama has some magical power to deal with natural disasters such as floods and tornados, back off. What a hater you are.

[san850]

@Lindag10...President Obama can accomplish a lot of seemingly impossible tasks, such as directing the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden, but I'm at a loss to understand what justme2012 thinks he could do to stop those flood waters. I agree that the Corps of Engineers are doing everything they can and will continue to.

Justme2012 is just doing what he does best....grasping at any straw he can think of ...trying to discredit the President. It only makes justme2012 look petty and foolish.

[mikehartigan]

And what, exactly, was Bush expected to do during the three days before he finally showed up in New Orleans after Katrina? And what, exactly, was he thinking when he went to Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks? Are you saying that making a personal appearance at a disaster site is simply an empty gesture?

[justme2012]

Obama said in his SOTU address that jobs are his top priority, so he's travelling abroad to stimulate their economies.

[san850]

....and the hate, bigotry, and lies continue on by justme2012.

[luadda22]

san, if you want to see hate and bigotry, go look at what has been posted by "you" Libs requarding Herman Cain. Even a fairly "nice guy" (Alan Colmes)called him a "coco puff". Where's the outrage from Skyk?

[justme2012]

Obama, "I will not rest", until I play my next game of golf, take my next vacation, or throw my next big party!"

[san850]

Ahhhhhh, more lies, hate and bigotry.

[justme2012]

I see the creepy online stalker found me.

[san850]

Ohhhhhhhh, I feel better....I thought you were ignoring me!

[Lindag10]

Hi Just, I'm here too. Hate, hate and more hate for you to spread. There you go dearie.

[san850]

To all you "Obama haters" .... you would be criticizing him if he HAD cut his trip short. I can hear it now....."He's just grandstanding and capitalizing and campaigning on the tragedy in Joplin."

The point is, WHATEVER President Obama says or does, you haters will take just the opposite stance...whether it's the right thing to do or not.

Your opinions are driven purely by your unabridged hatred for him...that is very obvious.

[mikehartigan]

I guess we'll never know how the 'Obama haters' would react if the president should choose to do the right thing for a change.

[san850]

@mikehartigan...if you only knew how transparent you are.