ReThugs use Florida Hurricanes for Political Gain

White House used Florida hurricane to boost election prospects

E-mails released by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's office show the presidential election campaign was a factor in hurricane relief efforts last year.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday a consultant suggested Bush's re-election staff be brought into Florida to minimize any negative hurricane effects.

Two weeks later, a Florida official said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was handing out assistance money to everyone who needed it without asking for much information of any kind.

The e-mails were released Friday after the Sun-Sentinel threatened to file a lawsuit.

Democrats said they confirmed suspicions the federal government used the hurricanes to send money to Florida, a key state in the election campaign.



'It's not surprising to learn that (Republicans) played politics with the hurricanes that tragically affected hundreds of thousands of Floridians last year,' said Josh Earnest, spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.