Flint, Mich. native Michael Moore scolded President Obama for coming within an hour of his hometown, but not making a personal visit there to address its water crisis.
On a visit to Detroit Wednesday, the president pledged to have “all the people of Flint’s back” as residents there deal with poisonous, lead-contaminated tap water. But the “Fahrenheit 9/11” and “Sicko” filmmaker noted that Obama didn’t go the extra mile (actually 68 miles, by Interstate 75) to visit Flint.
In a series of tweets, Moore compared Obama’s treatment of Flint to President Bush’s flyover of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Bush was criticized for not visiting New Orleans to show his support.
Moore tweeted to Obama: “R u enjoying the nice cars at the Detroit Auto Show? Your plane leaves in an hr. FLINT! We’re right here.” He added a photo of Bush’s flyover.
PresObama: R u enjoying the nice cars at the Detroit Auto Show? Your plane leaves in an hr. FLINT! We're right here. pic.twitter.com/XRz3KyfgsA
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 20, 2016
Later he noted that Obama had decided to skip Flint. “He didn’t come to Flint. He did say, ‘Flint, we have your back.’ I imagine this is how it looked on the plane. #lost.” That tweet was accompanied by a photo of Obama looking out an airplane window.
He didn't come to Flint. He did say, "Flint, we have your back." I imagine this is how it looked on the plane. #lost pic.twitter.com/wW5ZB1NnU6
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 21, 2016
Moore also praised reporters Jack Tapper and Soledad O’Brien for their attention to the crisis in Flint. The former automotive stronghold fell on hard times after General Motors closed its factories there, a struggle Moore documented in his first film, “Roger & Me.”