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Leading Republicans press for limits on travel to prevent spread of Ebola Leading Republicans press for limits on travel to prevent spread of Ebola
(35 minutes later)
Leading Republicans are racing to propose strict new limits to air travel to safeguard Americans against Ebola, the deadly virus that has reached the United States and left a Liberian man battling for his life in a Dallas hospital. Leading Republicans are racing to propose strict new limits on air travel to safeguard Americans against Ebola, the deadly virus that has reached the United States and left a Liberian man battling for his life in a Dallas hospital.
The latest to adopt that public position is Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), a potential 2016 presidential candidate who is back in the national spotlight after doctors made the first Ebola diagnosis last week in the United States in his home state. The latest to adopt that public position is Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), a potential 2016 presidential candidate who is back in the national spotlight after doctors made the first Ebola diagnosis in the United States in his home state.
Unveiling a new state task force to combat infectious diseases on Monday, Perry called for federal officials to implement "enhanced screening procedures" at "all points of entry" to the United States and create "fully staffed quarantine stations" wherever people are entering the country.Unveiling a new state task force to combat infectious diseases on Monday, Perry called for federal officials to implement "enhanced screening procedures" at "all points of entry" to the United States and create "fully staffed quarantine stations" wherever people are entering the country.
"Washington needs to take immediate steps to minimize the dangers of Ebola and other infectious diseases," said the governor."Washington needs to take immediate steps to minimize the dangers of Ebola and other infectious diseases," said the governor.
Other Republicans have gone further, calling for flight bans from West African countries and raising concerns about catastrophic outcomes. Republican strategists say it is all part of an effort to flex leadership credentials and tap into concerns Americans have with President Obama's readiness to handle crises after a series of missteps in his second term. Other Republicans have gone further, calling for flight bans from West African countries and raising concerns about catastrophic scenarios. Republican strategists say it is all part of an effort to flex leadership credentials and tap into concerns Americans have with President Obama's readiness to handle crises after a series of missteps in his second term.
"Republicans are emphasizing the mishandling of the Ebola crisis by the Obama administration and tying it to the theme of government incompetence," said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. "After a string of failures by the White House, the latest crisis over Ebola containment further underscores the need for new leadership.""Republicans are emphasizing the mishandling of the Ebola crisis by the Obama administration and tying it to the theme of government incompetence," said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. "After a string of failures by the White House, the latest crisis over Ebola containment further underscores the need for new leadership."
Greg Mueller, a veteran of three GOP presidential campaigns, said he thinks recent lapses in security and safety have spurred Republicans to speak out about Ebola.Greg Mueller, a veteran of three GOP presidential campaigns, said he thinks recent lapses in security and safety have spurred Republicans to speak out about Ebola.
"We've got people walking thought he front door of the White House, we've got child trafficking on the border, we've got [the Islamic State] beheading people and now you've got Ebola," he said. "We've got people walking though the front door of the White House, we've got child trafficking on the border, we've got [the Islamic State] beheading people and now you've got Ebola," he said.
Obama administration officials insist they have taken all the necessary safeguards to protect Americans from the deadly infection.Obama administration officials insist they have taken all the necessary safeguards to protect Americans from the deadly infection.
"I think it's important for people to understand that this outbreak's been happening for seven months in West Africa, and this is the first time someone has come to the United States," White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said Sunday on "Meet The Press." "So we're prepared for this. But we'll always be evaluating. The president's focused on this every day.""I think it's important for people to understand that this outbreak's been happening for seven months in West Africa, and this is the first time someone has come to the United States," White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said Sunday on "Meet The Press." "So we're prepared for this. But we'll always be evaluating. The president's focused on this every day."
But that hasn't stopped potential Republican presidential contenders from demanding more. Their calls come at a time when polls show the public has little faith in the president's competence.But that hasn't stopped potential Republican presidential contenders from demanding more. Their calls come at a time when polls show the public has little faith in the president's competence.
"There's only so much that a state can do," said Perry."There's only so much that a state can do," said Perry.
Thomas Eric Duncan, who is fighting to survive in a Dallas hospital after being diagnosed with Ebola last week, flew from Liberia to Dallas last month. There are very few direct flights from West Africa to the united States, so Duncan changed planes in Brussels and at Dulles before arriving in Dallas -- news that has prompted concerns about air travel facilitating the spread of Ebola.Thomas Eric Duncan, who is fighting to survive in a Dallas hospital after being diagnosed with Ebola last week, flew from Liberia to Dallas last month. There are very few direct flights from West Africa to the united States, so Duncan changed planes in Brussels and at Dulles before arriving in Dallas -- news that has prompted concerns about air travel facilitating the spread of Ebola.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) has called for a halt to flights from Ebola-stricken countries. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) has penned a letter to the head of the Federal Aviation Administration with questions about what steps the agency was taking to prevent the spread of Ebola through air travel ahead of the busy holiday season. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) raised concerns in a recent radio interview about the the possibility "a whole ship" of American soldiers could get Ebola.Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) has called for a halt to flights from Ebola-stricken countries. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) has penned a letter to the head of the Federal Aviation Administration with questions about what steps the agency was taking to prevent the spread of Ebola through air travel ahead of the busy holiday season. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) raised concerns in a recent radio interview about the the possibility "a whole ship" of American soldiers could get Ebola.
The issue has also cropped up in several key midterm contests in states with some of the busiest international airports in the United States.The issue has also cropped up in several key midterm contests in states with some of the busiest international airports in the United States.
Thom Tillis, the Republican nominee for Senate in the crucial battleground state of North Carolina, last week called for U.S. officials to ban travel from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. In Michigan, Republican Senate nominee Terri Lynn Land has also called for a travel ban.Thom Tillis, the Republican nominee for Senate in the crucial battleground state of North Carolina, last week called for U.S. officials to ban travel from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. In Michigan, Republican Senate nominee Terri Lynn Land has also called for a travel ban.
North Carolina is home to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which saw more than 20 million passengers in 2012, according to the Department of Transportation. In Michigan, Detroit Metropolitan Airport saw nearly 16 million passengers that year.North Carolina is home to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which saw more than 20 million passengers in 2012, according to the Department of Transportation. In Michigan, Detroit Metropolitan Airport saw nearly 16 million passengers that year.
At least one Democrat has mentioned Ebola in a campaign ad. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) released a commercial in August attacking Rep. Tom Cotton (R) for cutting "billions from our nation's medical disaster and emergency programs."At least one Democrat has mentioned Ebola in a campaign ad. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) released a commercial in August attacking Rep. Tom Cotton (R) for cutting "billions from our nation's medical disaster and emergency programs."
The Obama administration has not yet deployed any specific new steps to limit air travel in light of Ebola reaching the United States. “A travel ban is something that we're not currently considering," White house press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Monday.The Obama administration has not yet deployed any specific new steps to limit air travel in light of Ebola reaching the United States. “A travel ban is something that we're not currently considering," White house press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Monday.
Mark Berman contributed to this post.Mark Berman contributed to this post.
Read more: How the Ebola epidemic sped out of controlRead more: How the Ebola epidemic sped out of control