As you all probably know by now, as of this morning, President Obama had no scheduled plans to visit Louisiana — the state hit hardest by Hurricane Isaac. That is, until newly minted GOP nominee Mitt Romney announced immediately after his convention that he would visit the storm-ravaged area. Romney’s there now as I write this and not long after his trip was announced, liked a jilted suitor on the chase, President Obama announced he would squeeze in some time for a similar visit.  

Obama obviously didn’t care about visiting Louisiana because it can do nothing to help his reelection bid. Obama is nothing if not mercenary when it comes to holding on to power, so why visit a state stupid, racist, and misguided enough to give Romney all of its electoral votes.

But as he’s done for the last 20 days; today, Romney out-flanked Obama, announced his visit, and forced Obama into a defensive crouch where he had to change his selfish plans.

Bottom line: This morning, Mitt Romney led and President Empty Chair was forced to follow.

And it’s a beautiful thing.

But why doesn’t Obama visit right away? Today? There’s no doubt a presidential visit would put a spotlight on the disaster, which in turn would likely boost donations to the Red Cross when those donations are needed most.

Answer: You remember that whole mercenary thing I mentioned earlier about Obama? Here’s the president’s schedule as of now — here’s a look at President FailureTeleprompter’s priorities during and after a storm the took lives:

Tuesday 8/28: “Obama To Discuss Cost Of Education During Fort Collins Visit At CSU“

Tuesday 8/28: “Obama Reaches Out To Students In Ames [IA].”

Wednesday: 8/29:  “In Charlottesville [VA], Obama Makes Appeal To Young Voters.”

Friday 8/31: “Texas Bound” — To be fair to the president, this is an official visit with the troops marking the two-year anniversary of the end of the war in Iraq. How fortunate for Obama this opportunity arises to play Commander-in-Chief the very day after  the close of the GOP convention.

Saturday 9/1: Iowa again for a campaign stop.

Sunday 9/2:  Campaign stop in Colorado.

Monday 9/3:  Campaign event in Ohio.

Until FINALLY….

“According To White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, The President Canceled A Campaign Trip To Cleveland, Ohio In Order To Make The Gulf Coast Visit. He Will Travel From Toledo, Ohio To Louisiana.”  —  “Obama Alters Campaign Trip To Travel To Hurricane Zone.”

You sure you can make the time, Mr. President? We don’t want to get in the way of your quest to rain four more years of damage on this country, or anything. And I hear the golfing is pretty sweet in Michigan this time of year.

By the way, Romney was scheduled to visit the crucial swing state of Virginia today and instead chose to burn a crucial campaign day in a state he’s sure to win.

That’s leadership.

 

Follow  John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC