The Obama administration’s handling of Ebola has become an election issue as Republicans blame White House incompetence for the infection of two Texas healthcare workers with the deadly virus.
The White House is on the defensive as it faces questions over how the workers were infected, why one later took two domestic flights and why the US has not banned travellers from Ebola-hit parts of Africa. Ahead of congressional elections on November 4, Republicans are using Ebola to reinforce the party’s accusation that Barack Obama has pursued a weak foreign policy and failed to safeguard Americans.
Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican in an election fight that could determine which party controls the Senate, said this week: “I call on the president to actually lead on this issue, take emergency action and protect American lives before we have an epidemic here at home.”