Posted by Jed Lewison on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 9:05 AM Pacific

McCain's Iowa Flood Zone Mess

John McCain managed to step in it twice yesterday during his trip to tour Iowa's flood zone.

First, the state of Iowa asked him not to come, fearful that his presence would siphon off needed law enforcement officers. Iowa officials had made the same request of Barack Obama, who respected their wishes, but McCain ignored their request:

Patrick Dillon, Culver's chief of staff, said the governor was concerned that McCain's trip would divert local law enforcement from the flood recovery effort to provide security for McCain.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama canceled a scheduled visit to eastern Iowa last week at the request of state officials.

Second, McCain's opposition to legislation that would boosted funding for Iowa's flood control projects earned him a rebuke from a State Senator.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain opposed legislation last year that included money for flood control in Des Moines, which shows he is wrong to push for reforms to the congressional earmark system, a Democratic lawmaker charged Thursday.

State Sen. Jack Hatch of Des Moines said the earmarked money was needed to relieve water problems on the city's north side, which were magnified over the weekend when a levee break forced an evacuation of the Birdland area and ruined several dozen homes and businesses.

Well done, McBush!

McCain's Iowa Flood Zone Mess

John McCain managed to step in it twice yesterday during his trip to tour Iowa's flood zone.

First, the state of Iowa asked him not to come, fearful that his presence would siphon off needed law enforcement officers. Iowa officials had made the same request of Barack Obama, who respected their wishes, but McCain ignored their request:

Patrick Dillon, Culver's chief of staff, said the governor was concerned that McCain's trip would divert local law enforcement from the flood recovery effort to provide security for McCain.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama canceled a scheduled visit to eastern Iowa last week at the request of state officials.

Second, McCain's opposition to legislation that would boosted funding for Iowa's flood control projects earned him a rebuke from a State Senator.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain opposed legislation last year that included money for flood control in Des Moines, which shows he is wrong to push for reforms to the congressional earmark system, a Democratic lawmaker charged Thursday.

State Sen. Jack Hatch of Des Moines said the earmarked money was needed to relieve water problems on the city's north side, which were magnified over the weekend when a levee break forced an evacuation of the Birdland area and ruined several dozen homes and businesses.

Well done, McBush!

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