OnPolitics: Biden met with grief in Maui

Disasters have become crucial tests of presidential leadership.

Advertisement Advertisement Read in browser Read in browser On Politics Tue Aug 22 2023 Marina Pitofsky | NOW reporter Hi OnPolitics readers. President Joe Biden visited Maui this week after deadly wildfires devastated the island. Biden's experience with personal loss has burnished his reputation as empathizer-in-chief. But he came under scrutiny for declining to comment on wildfire relief while relaxing at his Rehoboth Beach home earlier this month, USA TODAY's Maureen Groppe and Francesca Chambers report.   He also faced criticism for waiting to visit Maui for nearly two weeks after the fires, a delay the White House said was necessary to avoid interfering with search and rescue efforts.  What Maui residents are saying: Ashley Correa told USA TODAY she has a lot of questions about the government's response to the wildfires that devastated her home island of Maui. Why wasn't it faster? Why wasn't the emergency cash assistance greater? What will rebuilding look like?  The 32-year-old real estate agent who has been part of private efforts to help friends, family and fellow Maui residents recover from the deadly wildfires hoped President Joe Biden would get local feedback during his visit Monday to inspire him "to do more to help."  "Maybe he needs that firsthand, in-person experience," Correa said shortly before Air Force One landed in Hawaii.  Read more here: Biden visited Maui after devastating wildfires. He was met with grief over relief efforts. Stay in the know on politics: Sign up for our OnPolitics newsletter   Tennis and talking points: How GOP candidates are preparing to debate How is the crowded field of GOP presidential candidates preparing for the first Republican debate? Here's a peek from the USA TODAY Network. READ MORE Advertisement Ticketed for being homeless? Supreme Court asked to decide An Oregon city told the Supreme Court that a ban on ticketing homeless people has created a dire situation. READ MORE Biden campaign won't commit to debating Trump in 2024 President Biden's reelection campaign is unwilling to commit to debating Donald Trump next fall before the 2024 presidential election. READ MORE Here's how Trump's surrender in the Georgia election fraud case will play out Trump and 18 co-defendants in the Fulton County, Ga. election fraud case have had two weeks to negotiate their court processing -- including mug shots READ MORE GOP candidates plan to sue RNC after they failed to qualify for debate GOP candidates Larry Elder and Perry Johnson are planning to sue the Republican National Committee after failing to qualify for the primary debate. READ MORE Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ Advertisement Newsletters   |    eNewspaper   |   Crosswords Follow Us Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe  •   Manage Newsletters  •  Terms of Service  •   Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights  •  Privacy Notice  •   Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy  •  Feedback