Obama turns down Va. governor’s invitation to visit earthquake damage

{mosads}According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the request was denied Friday through FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

“I’ll let the president speak for himself. I do believe that he’s compassionate and that there’s only so many places that he can be,” McDonnell told WTVR.

McDonnell still plans to join Obama for his scheduled speech to veterans at Virginia’s Joint Base Langley-Eustis on Wednesday.

“We’re always glad to welcome the commander-in-chief here to the Commonwealth of Virginia,” McDonnell told MSNBC on Tuesday, acknowledging that he “understands” criticism of his decision to join Obama despite Republican criticism of both the president’s jobs bill and bus tour.

McDonnell previously complimented FEMA on its response to Hurricane Irene, which also swept through Virginia this summer. FEMA granted emergency aid in 10 Virginia districts ahead of the hurricane, and also aided in the recovery post-storm.

“I am very complimentary of
what [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] has done,” McDonnell said in August. “And they are still there and will be there when the
damage assessment is done at the end of the week.”

–This post was updated at 5:25 p.m.