One more thought about the president’s upcoming visit to Texas … and then I hope to move on.
The White House says President Obama has no plans to visit the southern Texas border when he comes to the state today to raise money for Democratic candidates.
White House staffers believe it wouldn’t produce anything positive for the president. They are wrong.
Recall the time Obama went to New Jersey near the end of the 2012 campaign to view the damage brought by Hurricane/Super Storm Sandy. He won high praise from Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for showing up.
Also, recall what happened when President George W. Bush was photographed flying over New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He was pilloried for failing to put his own boots on the soggy ground to view the damage.
Was Obama more caring about New Jersey than Bush was about New Orleans? No.
There is value, however, in seeing these crises up close.
The Texas border is being inundated with illegal immigrants coming into this country from Central America. Most of them appear to be unaccompanied children sent here by those notorious “coyotes” who prey on illegal immigrants. We have a refugee crisis on the border.
The president needs to see what’s happening so he can assess better how to deal directly with it.
He’ll meet with Gov. Rick Perry. The two men likely will have a “frank” discussion — which, in diplomatic language means they might cuss at each other. That’s fine. The meeting is a good idea, too.
The visit to Texas will be complete, though, with a tour of the crisis on our state’s southern border. Take a look, Mr. President.