Ace flagged this yesterday but I want to amplify it now. Because Isaac has finally hit full force, we’re bound to experience some truly excruciating media hackery tonight about Republicans daring to stoop to partisan politics while Louisianans suffer. Be advised: The guy who actually runs the federal government’s emergency-response apparatus is in Charlottesville, Virginia as I write this desperately trying to convince college students that letting him rocket the country towards a fiscal meltdown is good for their future. According to standard presidential protocol, he shouldn’t be campaigning at all this week. Usually the incumbent stays off the trail as a courtesy to the other party when they hold their convention. But because, contra Vice President Chains, O’s top priority is first, last, and always his own reelection, that protocol is up in smoke. Even when there’s a hurricane over New Orleans that should, in theory, require his undivided attention.

Note to Bobby Jindal: Try to catch him tomorrow, when he’s not busy with something more important.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) on Monday sent a letter to President Obama saying the federal government was not doing enough to help Louisiana cover the expenses it’s taking on in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac…

The action by Obama makes federal funding to the state available immediately, but Jindal said it “only provides for direct federal assistance” and doesn’t “provide for reimbursement of expenses that the state is taking to prepare for the storm.”

“The State’s expenditures for emergency protective measures are already approximately $8,000,000 and exceed the State of Louisiana’s threshold when making a request for a major disaster declaration,” the letter continued.

That was published this morning. As of 3 p.m. ET:

We are still pushing the federal government to declare a full declaration.

— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) August 29, 2012

And here’s Jake Tapper as of 4 p.m.:

subjects for big applause lines here in Charlottesville: college loans, gay marriage, women's health care, US troops coming home from Afgh.

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 29, 2012

So there you go. Tonight, I promise, there’ll be some Chalian-esque cretin on cable news or in print pretending to be offended that the GOP would campaign when there’s an actual death toll from Isaac. And when it happens, remember that today was also the day that Obama not only couldn’t tear himself away from the trail in Virginia, it’s the day he picked to do … an “Ask Me Anything” online chat with Reddit readers. Yes, really. Apparently that’s actually going to happen.

Exit quotation from fair and balanced media star Gwen Ifill:

One mistake does not change this. @DavidChalian is God's gift to political journalism. #IStandwithDavid

— gwen ifill (@gwenifill) August 29, 2012

Update: From commenter ninjapirate: “Bobby Jindal should sign up for reddit and ask Obama a question.”

Update: Meanwhile, in Charlottesville:

Before the event, one Obama campaign official said it would likely be one of the president’s largest rallies of the campaign, estimating some 12,000 would show up.

The campaign later said that only 6500 showed up, then revised the final count to 7500, citing Fire Chief Charles Werner in a statement distributed by the campaign.