President Barack Obama's failure to disrupt his two-week vacation in Martha's Vineyard and travel to visit flood-ravaged Louisiana is "disgraceful," Mike Huckabee said Friday.
"I am outraged for my neighbors to the south in Louisiana," the former Arkansas governor and GOP presidential candidate told Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" program.
"This is a devastating flood. Floods are horrible, of all natural disasters they are some of the worst because it take so long to get over it. The fact that he has remained playing golf is a disgrace to the office of the presidency."
Presidents and governors visit areas where natural disasters have happened not because they can fix the damage, said Huckabee, or "recede the waters, even though Obama all but promised he could do that," said Huckabee.
Instead, they visit because cameras follow them and that "mobilizes resources. When the president or governor or mayor shows up, they see how devastating it is," said Huckabee.
In Obama's case, it's not only disgraceful that he hasn't interrupted his vacation, but it's a "dereliction of duty,' said Huckabee, insisting he was not taking that position for political reasons.
"[Former President] Bill Clinton was the best at showing up for things like this," said Huckabee. "He showed a level of compassion [and] he represents the heart of America."
GOP nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, will travel to Louisiana on Friday to tour the flooded region, which has been described as the worst natural disaster to hit the United States since Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast in 2012, and which hit areas that had been slammed by Hurricane Katrina.
Huckabee said he doubts Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton will make the trip, as it would "look like a 'me too'" rather than a genuine effort.
Louisiana's largest newspaper, The Advocate, on Wednesday called for Obama to cut his vacation short and view the devastation in its state.
"A disaster this big begs for the personal presence of the President at ground zero," the newspaper said in an editorial. "In coming here, the President can decisively demonstrate that Louisiana's recovery is a priority for his administration — and the United States of America."
"The President's vacation is scheduled to wrap up on Sunday. But he should pack his bags now, and pay a call on communities who need to know that in a national catastrophe, they are not alone," the newspaper editorial continued. "The President's presence is already late to this crisis, but it's better later than never."
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, then-President George W. Bush was roundly criticized for flying over but not touching down in Louisiana to tour the damages, a decision that has continued to haunt his legacy. Meanwhile, Obama has not only not visited, but has not issued any public or written statements about the current flooding, reports ABC News.
According to the White House, the president has been receiving regular briefings, including from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, and has approved a federal disaster declaration for the affected areas.
Meanwhile, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate visited the region on Tuesday and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson traveled there Thursday.
The Louisiana governor on Thursday defended Obama's decision to stay away from the zone, saying he is welcome to visit whenever he wants, but a visit at this time could complicate flood recovery efforts, as his motorcade would require many roadways to be shut down, reports The Times-Picayune in New Orleans.
Further, Edwards said a visit would pull away law enforcement officials at a time when they are needed for search-and-rescue efforts.