Joe Biden’s ‘I don’t hold a hose’ beach blunder during Maui fires

As the Maui fires became the deadliest in the US for a century, Joe Biden sat at the beach. Tom Minear argues his two-word response rivals Scott Morrison’s gaffe.

What is it with politicians disappearing to the beach during bushfires?

Scott Morrison’s Hawaii holiday amid Australia’s Black Summer – which he defended by blithely arguing that “I don’t hold a hose” – was the beginning of the end of his leadership. It marked him in the minds of many as a prime minister who was not up to the job.

This month, with Hawaii engulfed by fires, Joe Biden took himself off for a weekend break at his Delaware beach house, just days after a week-long vacation.

Scott Morrison enjoys his Hawaii holiday during the Black Summer fires in Australia. Picture: Supplied

The circumstances were different. Biden had already issued a disaster declaration and promised to help. He also didn’t lie about his movements – the President’s travel schedule is publicly released and reporters trail him everywhere, even on holidays.

But as the death toll soared, making the Maui fires the deadliest in America for more than a century, Biden lazed by the beach. When a reporter asked him to speak about the disaster, he waved and smirked, and issued a two-word response: “No comment.”

Biden has no comment on wildfire disaster in Maui

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— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 14, 2023

It’s easy to criticise politicians from the cheap seats. Running a country is a responsibility very few of us can comprehend. Sometimes, however, leaders become so absorbed in the business of government that they forget what they were elected to do: lead.

Throughout the Hawaii fires, Biden remained in contact with local officials, and federal authorities provided responsive and sufficient support.

Joe Biden relaxing on Rehoboth Beach earlier this month. Picture: Mandel Ngan (AFP)

That’s all well and good. What the President really needed to do – what only he could do – was step up at a time of crisis and address the nation, from the White House or at the very least from Delaware, to offer empathy, reassurance and action.

Instead, he offered two words, which meant about as much as one finger. It took another two days for him to speak about the fires, and only then while spruiking his economic agenda.

The aftermath of the bushfire that razed Lahaina in Hawaii. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon (AFP)

Biden has made this mistake before, after a train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Ohio in February. His government was so focused on logistics that it forgot about emotions.

Biden’s instinct – that it is unhelpful for a president to fly straight into a disaster zone – is fair. He likely abhors how Donald Trump has played politics with his handling of Hawaii and Ohio.

But Trump understands, even if only superficially, that leadership is about showing up and speaking up. Biden, by taking charge only when it suits him, looks aloof and uncaring. He should ask Morrison how that turned out for him.