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| Storm Pushes Aside Presidential Politics, Mostly | |
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| DAYTON, Ohio — Perhaps nothing better encapsulated the tricky calculus of running for president in the midst of a natural disaster than the mixed messages flashing on a giant screen at an event here for Mitt Romney on Tuesday. | |
| At one moment, the screen contained a public service announcement alerting crowd members about how to text a $10 donation to the American Red Cross on their cellphones. The next, it was home to a glossy campaign video for Mr. Romney that described him as “charismatic” and “authentic.” | |
| In a corner of a high school gymnasium, attendees lined up to deposit boxes of bottled water and bags of long-grain brown rice for victims of the storm. In another, a woman proudly held up a T-shirt that read “Obama, you’re fired.” | |
| The storm that ravaged the East Coast has pushed the presidential campaign into a delicate and ambiguous phase. Suddenly, it was a sideshow, but with a caveat: Americans were still watching, assessing an improvised leadership test to both sides as they sought to navigate the politics of a natural disaster. | |
| Mr. Romney, a challenger without the trappings and authority of office to respond to the crisis, attended the gathering, which his campaign called a “storm-relief event,” at the same location where he was previously set to hold a traditional campaign rally. Campaign signs were taken down, attendees were asked to bring canned goods, and a tieless Mr. Romney delivered sober words standing atop a black and silver trunk. | |
| “A lot of people hurting this morning. They were hurting last night. And the storm goes on,” said Mr. Romney, who personally grabbed bags of food from some members of the crowd and thanked them one by one. | |
| Yet the existence of the event, at a large venue, meant that Mr. Romney would still appear on television as a candidate after his aides said they would cancel “all events currently scheduled” on Tuesday. A spokesman had told reporter the decision was made out of sensitivity to the storm’s victims. | |
| As Mr. Romney accepted the bags of supplies, reporters repeatedly asked him about a his comment last year that states, not the Federal Emergency Management Agency, should lead the response to natural disasters. He did not respond. In a debate during the Republican primaries, he vaguely suggested that that emergency management should be pushed to the states, though he did not directly address the future of FEMA, whose work has made it popular in swing states like Florida. | |
| President Obama has withdrawn from the campaign trail and will spend his day at the White House where he will conduct briefings and survey the impact of the severe weather, aides said. But, he too, may speak to the country as both a president and a candidate, two roles that are inextricably linked at this late stage in the campaign. The White House said the president spent much of the night Monday monitoring the storm’s impact and talking with elected leaders throughout the affected region. | President Obama has withdrawn from the campaign trail and will spend his day at the White House where he will conduct briefings and survey the impact of the severe weather, aides said. But, he too, may speak to the country as both a president and a candidate, two roles that are inextricably linked at this late stage in the campaign. The White House said the president spent much of the night Monday monitoring the storm’s impact and talking with elected leaders throughout the affected region. |
| Mr. Obama earned repeated praise on Tuesday from an unlikely source: Chris Christie, the Republican governor of New Jersey and one of Mr. Romney’s top surrogates. In several appearances on morning news programs, he called Mr. Obama’s efforts for his state “wonderful,” “excellent” and “outstanding.” | Mr. Obama earned repeated praise on Tuesday from an unlikely source: Chris Christie, the Republican governor of New Jersey and one of Mr. Romney’s top surrogates. In several appearances on morning news programs, he called Mr. Obama’s efforts for his state “wonderful,” “excellent” and “outstanding.” |
| “It’s been very good working with the president,” Mr. Christie said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program. “He and his administration have been coordinating with us. It’s been wonderful.” | “It’s been very good working with the president,” Mr. Christie said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program. “He and his administration have been coordinating with us. It’s been wonderful.” |
| Speaking about the damage to his state on NBC’s “Today” show, Mr. Christie called the president “outstanding” and said the response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. had been “excellent.” | Speaking about the damage to his state on NBC’s “Today” show, Mr. Christie called the president “outstanding” and said the response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. had been “excellent.” |
| In a Twitter message from his official account, Mr. Christie said he wanted to “thank the president personally for all his assistance” as New Jersey recovers from the storm.” | In a Twitter message from his official account, Mr. Christie said he wanted to “thank the president personally for all his assistance” as New Jersey recovers from the storm.” |
| The effusive comments about the president from Mr. Christie come after Mr. Christie has spent weeks criticizing the president and his leadership on behalf of Mr. Romney’s campaign. Some Republicans on Tuesday privately expressed frustration that Mr. Christie went as far as he did in thanking Mr. Obama a week before the election. | The effusive comments about the president from Mr. Christie come after Mr. Christie has spent weeks criticizing the president and his leadership on behalf of Mr. Romney’s campaign. Some Republicans on Tuesday privately expressed frustration that Mr. Christie went as far as he did in thanking Mr. Obama a week before the election. |
| The effects of the storm are being felt in Ohio, where wind gusts of 60 miles per hour were reported Tuesday morning in the central part of the state, along with scattered power outages and school closings. The banner headline of the Columbus Dispatch said, “A Storm For The Ages.” | The effects of the storm are being felt in Ohio, where wind gusts of 60 miles per hour were reported Tuesday morning in the central part of the state, along with scattered power outages and school closings. The banner headline of the Columbus Dispatch said, “A Storm For The Ages.” |
| But even as the candidates altered their campaigning, their dueling television commercials were roaring along on Tuesday. The campaigns and their third-party allies are making a final push on already saturated airwaves with millions of dollars worth of new commercials. A “super PAC” backing Mr. Romney’s campaign began broadcasting a new ad in eight states that features a woman expressing disappointment about Mr. Obama’s first term in office. Another released two ads across the battleground states criticizing Mr. Obama’s handling of the economy. | But even as the candidates altered their campaigning, their dueling television commercials were roaring along on Tuesday. The campaigns and their third-party allies are making a final push on already saturated airwaves with millions of dollars worth of new commercials. A “super PAC” backing Mr. Romney’s campaign began broadcasting a new ad in eight states that features a woman expressing disappointment about Mr. Obama’s first term in office. Another released two ads across the battleground states criticizing Mr. Obama’s handling of the economy. |
| Mr. Obama’s campaign continued to broadcast ads criticizing Mr. Romney’s economic proposals and promoting the president’s plans for a second term. Ads by Mr. Obama’s campaign also urged people to vote early. | Mr. Obama’s campaign continued to broadcast ads criticizing Mr. Romney’s economic proposals and promoting the president’s plans for a second term. Ads by Mr. Obama’s campaign also urged people to vote early. |
| Representatives for the candidates are still planning to hold campaign rallies on Tuesday. Former President Bill Clinton stood in for Mr. Obama in Florida on Monday and planned to press ahead with three stops in Iowa on Tuesday. Mr. Romney’s wife, Ann, will attend a “victory rally” in Iowa after making a stop at a storm-related event in Wisconsin. | Representatives for the candidates are still planning to hold campaign rallies on Tuesday. Former President Bill Clinton stood in for Mr. Obama in Florida on Monday and planned to press ahead with three stops in Iowa on Tuesday. Mr. Romney’s wife, Ann, will attend a “victory rally” in Iowa after making a stop at a storm-related event in Wisconsin. |
| With a razor-close election just seven days away, each camp confronted the same quandary: whether pressing ahead in campaigning would earn them the votes they needed to win or whether it would be seen as crass, unpresidential behavior at a time of power failures, flooding and mass evacuations. | With a razor-close election just seven days away, each camp confronted the same quandary: whether pressing ahead in campaigning would earn them the votes they needed to win or whether it would be seen as crass, unpresidential behavior at a time of power failures, flooding and mass evacuations. |
| Both sides reached a similar conclusion after holding urgent discussions among their top advisers — talks that included up-to-the-minute weather updates and airings of logistical concerns about the dangers of air travel. Within hours of each other, the campaigns suspended appearances by their candidates at least through Tuesday. | Both sides reached a similar conclusion after holding urgent discussions among their top advisers — talks that included up-to-the-minute weather updates and airings of logistical concerns about the dangers of air travel. Within hours of each other, the campaigns suspended appearances by their candidates at least through Tuesday. |
| Mr. Obama, shouldering the responsibilities of a sitting president, acted first, abandoning a planned Florida rally to fly back to the White House on Monday morning. In a statement after a Situation Room briefing with emergency response officials, Mr. Obama said that the election “will take care of itself next week. Right now our No. 1 priority is that we’re saving lives.” | Mr. Obama, shouldering the responsibilities of a sitting president, acted first, abandoning a planned Florida rally to fly back to the White House on Monday morning. In a statement after a Situation Room briefing with emergency response officials, Mr. Obama said that the election “will take care of itself next week. Right now our No. 1 priority is that we’re saving lives.” |
| Just before noon, Mr. Romney’s campaign announced that it, too, had decided to cancel the candidate’s scheduled events, including one in Wisconsin on Monday night and his entire schedule on Tuesday, “out of sensitivity for the millions of Americans in the path of Hurricane Sandy.” | Just before noon, Mr. Romney’s campaign announced that it, too, had decided to cancel the candidate’s scheduled events, including one in Wisconsin on Monday night and his entire schedule on Tuesday, “out of sensitivity for the millions of Americans in the path of Hurricane Sandy.” |
| On Monday night, it announced the new storm-relief event in Dayton. Richard Petty, the racecar driver, and Randy Owen, the singer, will appear with Mr. Romney. | On Monday night, it announced the new storm-relief event in Dayton. Richard Petty, the racecar driver, and Randy Owen, the singer, will appear with Mr. Romney. |
| Top aides to Mr. Romney said they feared the possibility of a split-screen moment that showed Mr. Romney attacking the president next to images of flooded homes. They said canceling traditional campaign events allowed Mr. Romney to be part of the storm story, not apart from it. Both campaigns also halted fund-raising across the East Coast in favor of an appeal to donors for Red Cross contributions. | Top aides to Mr. Romney said they feared the possibility of a split-screen moment that showed Mr. Romney attacking the president next to images of flooded homes. They said canceling traditional campaign events allowed Mr. Romney to be part of the storm story, not apart from it. Both campaigns also halted fund-raising across the East Coast in favor of an appeal to donors for Red Cross contributions. |
| For the campaigns, the storm forced critical judgment calls as they addressed the need to campaign while being sensitive to the effects of the storm that swirled around them. Among the questions: How long will the huge storm continue to paralyze a campaign that is racing toward its conclusion? | For the campaigns, the storm forced critical judgment calls as they addressed the need to campaign while being sensitive to the effects of the storm that swirled around them. Among the questions: How long will the huge storm continue to paralyze a campaign that is racing toward its conclusion? |
| The answer inside both campaigns appeared to be: at least through Tuesday. Still, neither side would rule out the possibility of further cancellations Wednesday or beyond. David Axelrod, the president’s top strategist, said the campaign had already begun thinking about how to start rescheduling the stops that have been canceled. | The answer inside both campaigns appeared to be: at least through Tuesday. Still, neither side would rule out the possibility of further cancellations Wednesday or beyond. David Axelrod, the president’s top strategist, said the campaign had already begun thinking about how to start rescheduling the stops that have been canceled. |
| “We’re obviously going to lose a bunch of campaign time, but that’s as it has to be, and we’ll try to make it up on the back end,” he told reporters on Monday. | “We’re obviously going to lose a bunch of campaign time, but that’s as it has to be, and we’ll try to make it up on the back end,” he told reporters on Monday. |
| Also on the table for both campaigns was how to deal with the grim aftermath of the storm. A visit to a ravaged area by the president would be traditional and expected, but could further interrupt Mr. Obama’s campaigning. Mr. Romney’s advisers said that they were discussing the possibility of Mr. Romney visiting a site damaged by the storm well after it has dissipated, but that they had not yet completed plans. | Also on the table for both campaigns was how to deal with the grim aftermath of the storm. A visit to a ravaged area by the president would be traditional and expected, but could further interrupt Mr. Obama’s campaigning. Mr. Romney’s advisers said that they were discussing the possibility of Mr. Romney visiting a site damaged by the storm well after it has dissipated, but that they had not yet completed plans. |
| Polls released over the weekend continued to show a tight race between the two men, nationally and in some of the battleground states that will decide which one reaches 270 electoral votes. A Gallup poll of likely voters on Sunday gave Mr. Romney an edge of 51 percent to Mr. Obama’s 46 percent. | Polls released over the weekend continued to show a tight race between the two men, nationally and in some of the battleground states that will decide which one reaches 270 electoral votes. A Gallup poll of likely voters on Sunday gave Mr. Romney an edge of 51 percent to Mr. Obama’s 46 percent. |
| Inside his headquarters in Boston, advisers to Mr. Romney were engaged throughout the weekend in marathon conference calls about how and where to schedule his time in the midst of the storm. | Inside his headquarters in Boston, advisers to Mr. Romney were engaged throughout the weekend in marathon conference calls about how and where to schedule his time in the midst of the storm. |
| Mr. Romney’s aides were holding out hope throughout most of Monday morning that he could continue his full campaign schedule on Tuesday. But that changed after a 10:45 a.m. conference call among his advisers in Boston, officials at the Republican National Committee and Mr. Romney’s top aides on the campaign bus in Ohio. | Mr. Romney’s aides were holding out hope throughout most of Monday morning that he could continue his full campaign schedule on Tuesday. But that changed after a 10:45 a.m. conference call among his advisers in Boston, officials at the Republican National Committee and Mr. Romney’s top aides on the campaign bus in Ohio. |
| “There are families in harm’s way that will be hurt either in their possessions or perhaps in something more severe,” Mr. Romney said in brief remarks after a rally in Avon Lake, Ohio. “This looks like another time when we need to come together all across the country, even here in Ohio, and make sure that we give of our support to the people who need it.” | “There are families in harm’s way that will be hurt either in their possessions or perhaps in something more severe,” Mr. Romney said in brief remarks after a rally in Avon Lake, Ohio. “This looks like another time when we need to come together all across the country, even here in Ohio, and make sure that we give of our support to the people who need it.” |
| Mr. Obama’s initial decision to go to Florida on Sunday night in the face of dire weather attests to the political pressures he is facing. The president’s advisers calculated that he could squeeze in one more rally in a closely fought electoral battleground by moving up the event’s start time by two hours and still return to Washington in time to take charge of storm preparations. But they changed course after determining Air Force One might not be able to make the trip any later. | Mr. Obama’s initial decision to go to Florida on Sunday night in the face of dire weather attests to the political pressures he is facing. The president’s advisers calculated that he could squeeze in one more rally in a closely fought electoral battleground by moving up the event’s start time by two hours and still return to Washington in time to take charge of storm preparations. But they changed course after determining Air Force One might not be able to make the trip any later. |
| After returning to Washington, Mr. Obama led a meeting in the Situation Room with top emergency response officials. In his statement to reporters afterward, Mr. Obama warned Americans that “this is going to be a big storm; it’s going to be a difficult storm.” He added: “The great thing about America is when we go through tough times like this, we all pull together. We set aside whatever issues we may have otherwise to make sure we respond appropriately.” | After returning to Washington, Mr. Obama led a meeting in the Situation Room with top emergency response officials. In his statement to reporters afterward, Mr. Obama warned Americans that “this is going to be a big storm; it’s going to be a difficult storm.” He added: “The great thing about America is when we go through tough times like this, we all pull together. We set aside whatever issues we may have otherwise to make sure we respond appropriately.” |
| Storms can have a treacherous effect on the fortunes of a president, most notably in the case of Hurricane Katrina and George W. Bush in 2005. But they can also help rally support, as in final four months of the 2004 campaign, when Florida was pounded by three successive hurricanes, Charley, Frances and Ivan. | Storms can have a treacherous effect on the fortunes of a president, most notably in the case of Hurricane Katrina and George W. Bush in 2005. But they can also help rally support, as in final four months of the 2004 campaign, when Florida was pounded by three successive hurricanes, Charley, Frances and Ivan. |
| Mr. Bush was well aware of how, in 1992, the chaotic response of the government to Hurricane Andrew in Florida had hurt his father, then seeking re-election. Twelve years later, the younger Mr. Bush marshaled a more effective federal response, which some analysts said helped him secure a clearer victory in the state against Senator John Kerry than he had against Al Gore in 2000. | Mr. Bush was well aware of how, in 1992, the chaotic response of the government to Hurricane Andrew in Florida had hurt his father, then seeking re-election. Twelve years later, the younger Mr. Bush marshaled a more effective federal response, which some analysts said helped him secure a clearer victory in the state against Senator John Kerry than he had against Al Gore in 2000. |
Michael Barbaro reported from Dayton, Ohio, and Michael D. Shear from Washington. Peter Baker contributed reporting from Washington, and Ashley Parker from Boston. | Michael Barbaro reported from Dayton, Ohio, and Michael D. Shear from Washington. Peter Baker contributed reporting from Washington, and Ashley Parker from Boston. |