Los Angeles Mayor's Fumbled Response to Wildfires Tests Her Political Future

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Los Angeles Mayor's Fumbled Response to Wildfires Tests Her Political Future
LeadershipWildfiresDisaster Response
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LA Mayor Karen Bass faces mounting criticism for her handling of the recent wildfires, with many accusing her of lacking leadership and failing to adequately address the situation. Her absence from the city during the crisis, coupled with her awkward media interactions upon her return, have fueled calls for her resignation and raised serious questions about her ability to lead.

When disaster strikes, the public expects its elected officials to project an image of leadership. Hence, Californians have watched Gov. Gavin Newsom show up at the Los Angeles wildfires, where he has expressed condolences, answered questions andThere’s plenty to criticize about the governor’s overall policies, but there’s no question he’s taking the right tack. But what about Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ? Disasters offer unexpected leadership tests.

State and national politicians are blasting her response. She’s largely refused media interviews. The owner of the Los Angeles Timeshis regret for his newspaper’s endorsement of her in 2022. now, she could be posting a video of her literally running into a burning building and taking a child out of there, and people would still be replying ‘resign!,’” one community watchdogPolitico. That hurts. Previously she had a decent image and led some notable reforms on housing .

The criticisms are spreading as quickly as the fires. “As the Palisades fire exploded in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, Mayor Karen Bass was posing for photos at an embassy cocktail party in Ghana,” the Timesnoted her campaign promise not to travel abroad, but she left for Africa as weather reports predicted a windstorm. When this is the coverage from mainstream media publications, you know a liberal politician is in trouble.

The most cringe-worthy video – and one that will no doubt circulate widely if she runs for re-election – came as she exited the military plane from Ghana. A reporter asked her questions and she stood there awkwardly in stony, as she dodged and weaved. The mayor of the nation’s second-largest city ought to have the political skills to say something relevant and not look like a deer in the headlights.

The fire, of course, raises serious long-running policy questions about the city’s preparedness, in terms of brush-clearance, water availability and fire-fighting resource issues. This Editorial Board routinelyThe silver lining: The wildfires will focus attention on whether the current leadership is up to the challenge and whether voters are ready for a self-correction. In the meantime, Bass is the poster child for how not to handle a disaster.

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