Lowry Let Flood Victims Down

So, President Bill Clinton can clear his packed schedule to see the flood-ravaged Pacific Northwest. But Gov. Mike Lowry can’t find time to tour Eastern Washington’s soaked communities?

Idaho Gov. Phil Batt can visit the inundated Panhandle three times in five days, offering comfort and an important state presence. But Lowry prefers to meet with staff and the Washington State School Directors’ Association?

Something’s wrong here.

Lowry’s absence from his native Eastern Washington last week didn’t go unnoticed. Mayor Randall Schmick of Endicott, the governor’s hometown, offered harsh but understandable criticism: “It seems like the only time he’s ever here is when he’s campaigning or in something that makes him look good.”

In times of disaster, the visit of a president or a governor is important for besieged areas - though cynics may dismiss the gesture as nothing but politicians preening for photo opportunities. By leaving their comfortable offices, Clinton and Batt became personally involved in the region’s suffering and became stronger advocates for flood relief.

Democrat Clinton deserved the praise lavished on him during his two-hour visit to Boise Wednesday by Batt, the Republican governor of the nation’s most Republican state. Clinton’s visit to Idaho, possibly the first non-partisan one since the days of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, punctuated his promise to help. Said Batt: “I know that he means it in his heart to come out here and help us all he can. I’m more than satisfied.”

North Idahoans should be satisfied with Batt’s concern for them, too. He visited Smelterville, St. Maries, Moscow, Orofino and, shortly before meeting with Clinton, viewed the ice-jammed Moyie River threatening Bonners Ferry.

Meanwhile, the Idaho Legislature worked on flood-relief legislation. In this era of faxes and modems, governors don’t have to be present at the capitol to coordinate an emergency response. They are needed in the field to reassure disaster victims of help. The bureaucrats and experts can handle the paperwork.

U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt found it useful to visit flood victims in person, too. After a whirlwind trip through the 5th District, he said: “You want to be sensitive to the people you serve. Look them in the eye. Shake their hand. Let them know you care. For me, it was important to be there.”

Lowry could learn something from the freshman congressman.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria/For the editorial board