RICHMOND — President Obama has turned down Gov. Bob McDonnell’s request to visit the small town at the epicenter of August’s earthquake while he’s in Virginia pushing his jobs plan.
Mr. McDonnell extended the invitation this week after Obama’s administration rejected Virginia’s application for federal assistance for those whose homes and businesses were damaged in the Aug. 23 5.8-magnitude earthquake centered in Mineral. The Republican governor asked Mr. Obama to view the damage firsthand.
Mr. McDonnell’s office said Friday that Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate called Mr. McDonnell to let him know Mr. Obama will not visit that area during his two-day swing through Virginia next week.
A McDonnell spokesman said the governor was “extremely disappointed” in the decision.
Mr. McDonnell says the state will appeal FEMA’s denial.
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