President Obama to visit Louisiana on Monday to survey damage in aftermath of Isaac

Article by: MATTHEW DALY , Associated Press
Updated: August 31, 2012 - 11:59 AM

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ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE - President Barack Obama will visit Louisiana on Monday to examine water and wind damage in the wake of Isaac.

White House spokesman Jay Carney announced the trip aboard Air Force One as Obama flew to Texas on Friday to speak to U.S. service members and their families.

The storm, which reached hurricane strength as it made landfall earlier this week, gained significance as it coincided with the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It struck as the Republican National Convention unfolded in Tampa, Fla.

Carney's announcement came shortly after Obama's presidential rival, Republican Mitt Romney, announced he would visit the New Orleans area on Friday. Carney said Obama reached his decision before Romney's intentions became known.

Obama was to touch down in Louisiana after a previously scheduled campaign stop in Cleveland earlier Monday. But Obama's campaign announced Friday that it was canceling the Ohio event.

Asked to comment on Romney's visit to Louisiana, Carney said: "I think that it's always important to draw attention to the fact that individuals and families and business owners are profoundly affected ... that's an important thing to do."