Sandy and the presidential election
 

I have a question about Sandy and its aftermath. Do you think it will influence the presidential election and if so whom of the cadidates would benefit the most and why?

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

I keep hearing this on the news and unless polling locations were destroyed and voting machines washed out to sea, I don't see how. The weather may influence turnout somewhat, but usually people make it a point to get out & vote in the presidential election years. The states that have early voting are recording less turnout due to Monday/Tuesday, but are anticipating those numbers to be back up now that the storm has passed. NY & NJ are considered locks for Obama regardless, NH-VA-NC-OH are being reported as some kind of post-Sandy battleground states, but I think they were beforehand anyway ... at least that's all what I garnished from the local news this morning.

UPDATE 11/02: I guess the power is not going to be fully restored in NYC & surrounding areas for 7-10 more days, so I'm going to have to change my position and say it will affect the election. Many potiential voters in those areas are going to be more concerned with staying warm, shelter, et... then casting votes and the polling locations are scrambling to use paper ballots. As these states typically vote Democratic, would the decrease in the popular vote affect the electoral vote as well? I doubt it.

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

Good post.

I was more thinking in the terms if either candidate could "use" this (as awful as it sounds) as a way of getting sympathy/voters etc.

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

I thought about that and it looks like they both did as much as they could politically without pushing the envelope too much, ie Romney's photo-op packing supplies, Obama rushing back to the Situation Room for his photo-op & hanging out with Gov. Christie (R), but I think everyone's aware that they'll be roasted for trying to take too much advantage of a tragedy in which lives are lost. It's why I think Romney has layed off Benghazi as of late.

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

I guess so. For a sitting president I think it can be a "good thing" as far as ratings go if he can show swift action and being in charge of the situation or being able to in some other way show he is partaking and trying to help. I'd say its a little harder for a candidate as long as the government doesn't screw up badly, then Romney could raise hell and blame the other side.

A couple of years back, as some of you might remember, a big tsunami hit southeast asia, Thailand among other countries was hit bad. Thailand is a really popular place for swedes to go on vacation and a lot of swedish people died. The government screwed up a bunch of things and recieved HARSH critisicm for it, their ratings dropped heavily. The swedish king on the other hand had a bunch of PR issues before but held a great heartfelt speech on the national memorial service and the effect of that was his popularity skyrocketed.

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

I think the evidence heretofore shows it has actually helped the President. It is funny how actually doing his job can enhance his chances. Guess he is tired of doing it already as he scooted off to Las Vegas, despite cries for help and need by residents of Staten Island and New Jersey. I can't believe the NYC marathon is still being held. Shameful decision by Bloomberg. Could this also be Obama's Katrina moment?

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

The Northeast is about to discover what Katrina victims already know.

Big Government is incompetent.

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

Since you posted, the NYC Marathon has been cancelled New York City Marathon will be cancelled: city official - Yahoo! News and with the gas shortage panic and a cold-front moving into New York, I've been hearing the storm referred to as "Obama's Katrina".

This is going to get ugly(er) quick.

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

I disagree Slo, like many other issues that would have destroyed a Republican President, the mainstream media will just pay minor lip-service to it and essentially sweep it under the rug or more likely ignore the bad and highlite the good to make their boy look better.

Here's their opportunity to make Big Government look good. They aren't gonna let a good crisis go to waste.

Re: Sandy and the presidential election
 

Agree, this storm has helped Obama. Most of his support is on the east coast. He basically spooned Christie. Now he's sending in fuel. The images of him hugging crying fat ladies also is well played. He knows he's got this bull by the horns now.