Hurricane Harvey could be a defining moment for Trump's presidency.

[Wvvtayy]

Heard this on the news and it makes a lot of sense.

Bush's terrible response to Katrina in 2005 is a big part of what ruined his second term.

Conversely, Obamas very good handling of Hurricane Sandy played a big part in securing his reelection in 2012, as well as governor Christie's landslide reelection in 2013.

Now that the strongest hurricane to hit the Texas coast in nearly a century is about to come, Trump's handling of it could make or break his presidency. And we all know how good trump has been at handling problems so far, right?

[Tinykong]

Can Trump damage his Presidency any further? I guess that remains to be seen.

[Wvvtayy]

Can Trump damage his Presidency any further? I guess that remains to be seen.

Of course, his approval rating has yet to drop to the 20s.

[Breccia]

I hope it isn't. Trump is capable of destroying his name, brand, and legacy without a Katrina-like disaster.

[Adam Jensen]

I hope Trump's administration is competent enough to deal with this, but I hope it's not a catalyst that leads to his re-election in 2020.

[Lothar from accounting]

Can Trump damage his Presidency any further? I guess that remains to be seen.

Somewhat less concerning than the potential damage his response, or lack thereof, has on the lives and livelihood of anyone in the path of Harvey.

[Xeones]

Needs to be Mike Myers on TV with Kanye again.

[TZucchini]

I'm surprised that he hasn't taken to insulting Hurricane Harvey on Twitter. Usually how he handles his problems.

But all jokes aside, it will be interesting to see if the Republicans balk at Federal funding for Harvey like they did with Sandy. Considering the political affiliation of Texas vs. New England. We will see...

[schwarzkopf]

Bush's terrible response to Katrina in 2005 is a big part of what ruined his second term.

Conversely, Obamas very good handling of Hurricane Sandy played a big part in securing his reelection in 2012, as well as governor Christie's landslide reelection in 2013.

To be fair to Bush...
Katrina made US land fall as a Category 3 Hurricane with a core of around 260km
Sandy made US land fall as a Category 1 Hurricane with a core radius of 280km
Harvey looks to make US land fall as a Category 3 Hurricane.

[Kujako]

Just imagine what the gale force winds will do to Trumps hair!

[Pendulous]

Politicizing a natural disaster is kind of a shitty move to begin with.

[schwarzkopf]

Politicizing a natural disaster is kind of a shitty move to begin with.

Indeed - we should expect Trump to politicise it any moment.

[Molis]

I am sure he will do anything in his power to protect the rural citizens, but fuck those liberals in the cities.

Of course I hope he can be decent, but I also thought denouncing neo-nazis would be easy.
My congress man still has not done that.

[Adam Jensen]

I'm surprised that he hasn't taken to insulting Hurricane Harvey on Twitter. Usually how he handles his problems.

But all jokes aside, it will be interesting to see if the Republicans balk at Federal funding for Harvey like they did with Sandy. Considering the political affiliation of Texas vs. New England. We will see...

Very bad hurricane, Bad Hombre Harvey hates America. Love people of Texas. Tremendous people. Bigly people. #sad.

- - - Updated - - -

Indeed - we should expect Trump to politicise it any moment.

Willing to stop hurricane with my face but corrupt democrats obstruct. #maga

[Wvvtayy]

To be fair to Bush...
Katrina made US land fall as a Category 3 Hurricane with a core of around 260km
Sandy made US land fall as a Category 1 Hurricane with a core radius of 280km
Harvey looks to make US land fall as a Category 3 Hurricane.

Big difference. Houses on the Gulf Coast are built to withstand hurricane force winds and there's walls built to prevent storm surge. Houses in the northeast are not. Don't look at the strength, look at the $ amount in damage caused.

[schwarzkopf]

look at the $ amount in damage caused.

$ damage caused is a sign of preparation, and preparation is a function of government ...

Diameter + wind stream -> objective measures.

In addition - Sandy was barely even a Hurricane at all when it made landfall.

[TZucchini]

In addition - Sandy was barely even a Hurricane at all when it made landfall.

I'm not sure if Sandy was a hurricane at landfall. Usually referred to as "Superstorm Sandy".

Sandy was absolutely massive in size, and it was the storm surge that devastated the area. Full moon and a high tide at landfall. Not sure how the storm surge will compare to Harvey.

[Lenonis]

This hurricane is hitting a red state. Trump will do what we expect presidents to do. The true test of his presidency would be if a natural disaster hit a blue state. Especially if it was California.

[schwarzkopf]

I'm not sure if Sandy was a hurricane at landfall. Usually referred to as "Superstorm Sandy".

Sandy was absolutely massive in size, and it was the storm surge that devastated the area. Full moon and a high tide at landfall. Not sure how the storm surge will compare to Harvey.

Sandy was technically a hurricane on land fall, but only technically.

Haven't got accurate core radius measures on Harvey yet, but yeah - the storm surge is an additional factor too.

[BrerBear]

This hurricane is hitting a red state. Trump will do what we expect presidents to do. The true test of his presidency would be if a natural disaster hit a blue state. Especially if it was California.

This is sadly true.
Trump has all but admitted he is the President of red states only.
He'll give whatever aid to Texas they need (and then some).

The true test will be a blue state disaster.