How Hurricane Sandy Impacts the Campaign

[WI_DEM]

How Hurricane Sandy Impacts the Campaign
First Read: "One, you're not going to see the candidates campaign in Virginia or New Hampshire for the rest of the week and perhaps for the rest of the campaign. (They can't bring their motorcades and Secret Service protection to these areas.) Two, three days from this campaign are essentially going to be erased. (Yes, Romney is hitting three battleground states of Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin. And Bill Clinton and Biden are stumping in Florida and Ohio. But how much coverage is that going to receive?) And three, if you're the president, you do your job. That's probably why you saw the president -- who landed in Florida yesterday -- decide to return immediately to the White House today."

"The only unforced error a campaign can make during this storm is acting TOO political. And the Obama campaign erased their unforced error without having today's awkward campaign event play out on TV potentially. The person in the real bind right now is Romney. What does he do that doesn't look overly-political or insensitive? He has no specific job right now."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/10/29/how_hurricane_sandy_impacts_the_campaign.html
my suggestion is to have our GOTV volunteers in VA, NC, NH & other Eastern seaboard states work with relief coordination and get water & other supplies to those who need it. It would be a constructive and postitive thing to do and would also bring the Obama campaign a good deal of good will as well.

[MrYikes]

1. I want to see Romney filling sand bags today. nt

[BlueToTheBone]

2. In your dreams.

He might get his hands dirty.

[central scrutinizer]

3. Rmoney will collect relief supplies

melamine contaminated pet food from China
toys from China painted with lead paint for the little ones
clothing made by prisoners in China

[Floyd_Gondolli]

4. Romney stands to lose the most

As you pointed out his stump speech and attack lines have to be tempered while the president is dealing with a crisis.

I'd guess by Wednesday Obama will get out and tour the damaged areas. Romney can't do this without looking overly political.

He also said he would dismantle FEMA. I would not want to defend that position this week.

Finally, Obama should be able to get 4 days of solid campaigning end hitting most of the critical states from Fri-Mon.

The concerns I have center on the storm's effect on turnout in Va. and perhaps Philly if it gets hit hard.

[Cosmocat]

5. It basically ends the campaign

I am a homer, so I may WANT to believe this, but I think it hurts Romney because he is behind and needs to make up ground and the race is going to effectively be ended, as well as the President being in a position to have to HAVE to do his job while Romney really can't do anything.

Gotta see how it specifically hampers voting in those states impacted.

It COULD alter a pretty clear VA race, either way.

NJ is getting beat the heck up already, big D margin, but who knows, same with NY.

NH, what does that do there?