The
presidential election is just around the corner and at this time every four years we sit
back and wait for the November surprise. Could Superstorm Sandy be that
potential game-changing event in this election. Sandy struck on the night of
Monday, October 29th, but her effects will be felt for weeks to come as
water recedes along the east coast and people continue to attempt to clean up
their homes and communities. Photos out of the hardest hit areas and of heavily
populated areas are astounding. So much water breached into the cities. And
we’re just starting to survey the full extent of the damage.
President
Obama has already issued emergency declarations in storm stricken communities.
This will speed up federal relief to the areas and start the recovery process
for the residents. It also helps his image on the campaign trail because he can
show voters that he is there and he is doing something about the catastrophe,
and what he is doing is not something Republican candidate Mitt Romney is
capable of as a candidate. In addition, the president canceled his campaign trip on
Tuesday to Colorado so he could stay home and monitor the situation. Meanwhile,
Romney has also been monitoring the situation and sending his thoughts and
prayers to those along the east coast. According to CNN, the Romney campaign
has stopped fundraising emails into affected states, made a campaign bus
available for relief efforts, started taking up collections in campaign
offices, and put up a blog with weather related advice.
Superstorm Sandy knocked power out
for millions of people and businesses. There is the possibility that
electricity will not be restored to all areas by next week’s election. So now, election officials in all of the
affected states are working on contingency plans to ensure residents are able
to vote and that those votes will be counted. Even if power is restored, some
people may not be able to go vote because they are dealing with more pressing
issues introduced by the storm. A superstorm such as this makes the
presidential election seem small and unimportant, at least to those who are
directly affected by the storm. Sandy may overshadow Election Day attempts to
get out the vote in many east coast states. She may prove to be an important
factor in this election.
A view of Sandy from space
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