White House adviser Tom Bossert gave West Wing colleagues an upbeat update on recovery efforts in Puerto Rico despite bleak reports, outlining a public relations campaign to promote rapid stabilization and a “bright future,” Axios reported.
Bossert’s blamed the island’s problems on “the storm,” and “not our response to it.”
“We have pushed about as much stuff and people through a tiny hole in as short a timeframe as possible,” he wrote in an update posted by Axios.
“The President's visit Tuesday will inspire the people and let them know we all care,” he said.
Bossert visited the hurricane-ravaged island earlier in the week, Axios reported, and asserted needs remain “urgent,” but said the Trump administration has "a strong ground game in place on the island with military leadership.”
"I hope to turn the corner on our public communications ... I recommend that [this weekend] we use the general theme of supporting the governor and standing with the people of Puerto Rico to get them food, water, shelter and emergency medical care,” he advised.
"Monday and Tuesday we can pivot hopefully to a theme of stabilizing as we address temporary housing and sustaining the flow of commodities and basic government services, including temporary power. After that we focus on restoration of basic services throughout next week and next weekend."
"Then we start a theme of recovery planning for the bright future that lies ahead for Puerto Rico. Planned hits, tweets, TV bookings and other work will limit the need for reactionary efforts."
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