In the final stretch of the campaign, a political candidate has to be focused, prepared and keeping their eye on the prize.
Even in the face of a hurricane.
As Hurricane Sandy blew through the Northeast, not only are such organizations as FEMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration getting prepared, so are the campaigns.
In a televised appearance, President Obama commented, “It’s going to be a difficult storm.”
Both candidates do seem more concerned with the affects of the storm on families rather than ballots, but then again that may be part of the strategy. For President Obama, at least, it’s also part of the job. Rather than continue on the campaign trail and head to Orlando, Fla., President Obama returned to Washington in order to work on emergency plans, the L.A. Times reported.
Governor Romney, on the other hand (according to the L.A. Times) talked directly to those affected as he advised rally goers in Iowa and Ohio to support Red Cross as well as their neighbors during the devastating storm that has swept through countless states.
Regardless of the method, it is obvious that both candidates’ campaigns have been affected by the storm. How could it not? People will be judging President Obama as relief efforts from FEMA come in. After all, the FEMA response during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was largely criticized for its poor emergency preparedness. Governor Romney will be judged less; however, his actions regarding the storm will still be viewed critically.
This emergency has put the campaign into perspective. Right now people in New York and New Jersey are not looking for partisan fighting but rather a collective, properly conducted and unified response to this growing event. How then will the negative T.V. ads that continue to air be viewed by people whose homes have started to fund? Will they care? Or will they get angry?
It is a dangerous line for the candidates to walk. So far, they seem to have handled themselves correctly, working toward the goal of aiding those hurt by the storm rather than taking advantage of the disaster to put blame on the opposing party.
That’s a good sign.
Still, this is new territory. It will be interesting to see just how much this affects voters’ views of the elections. If the storm reveals a president unable to handle a disaster or one who is able to rise above with aplomb; of a candidate who is able to rally the people or one who simply takes advantage of them. It can honestly go either way.
But no matter the degree, no one can argue that the election is affected.
I’m pretty sure both candidates can agree on that.
