Yes, Skinut, I stress substance over form because you have to get beyond the optics to see what really is happening.   You also need to do a bit more research about federal assistance being same regardless of what the president is doing.  That simply is not true.  Support in major disasters comes from many state and federal government and non-government agencies.  FEMA is responsible for coordinating the efforts of all agencies but it does not have the authority to direct federal departments and agencies to provide it.  That authority is vested in the President, so it does matter if President is out playing golf or at a command center like the White House where he can immediately respond to specific requests for assistance like helicopters and other equipment from DOD for search and rescue missions.