Never let the facts stand in the way of politicizing a natural disaster

The Democrats and their left-wing pals never miss a chance to blame misfortune on the Bush administration and, if possible, the war in Iraq, even if that means making up facts. Thus, Kathleen Sebelius, the Democratic Governor of Kansas, claimed that Kansas is missing 60 percent of its National Guard equipment because of the war, and has thus been hampered in dealing with the damage caused by the tornedo. Barack Obama made the same claim, while somehow managing to state that the death toll was 10,000, not 12. And of course lefty bloggers tried to hammer the point home. Here, for example, is the post of Think Progress on the subject.
In fact, it’s not true that Kansas was missing 60 percent of its National Guard equipment, or that the National Guard was ill-prepared to deal with the aftermath of the tornado. The Democrats’ claim is pure invention. According to Randal Noller, public affairs officer for the National Guard Bureau, the Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available, and 60 percent of its Army Guard dual-use equipment on hand, along with more than 85 percent of its Air Guard equipment. If the Kansas National Guard were short-handed in any way, it could have asked for assistance from other states under a national sharing agreement. It did not do so.
Gov. Sebelius has backed off of her comments. Her spokesperson says, “We are doing absolutely fine right now; what the governor is talking about is down the road.” In reality, the governor and chorus were simply making things up in order to convert a natural disaster into a political opportunity.
JOHN adds: It may have occurred to Sebelius that criticizing her own state’s response to a natural disaster didn’t work out so well for another Governor Kathleen, Blanco of Louisiana.
PAUL adds: I’ve heard one prominent Democratic strategist mention Sebelius as a possible nominee for vice president if the party nominates a male for the top spot. However, it looks like she’s not ready for prime time.
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