Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Aftermath of Nature's October Surprise

In “Sunset Boulevard,” the aging movie diva exclaims, “I am still big. It’s the pictures that got small.”

If Mother Nature had a voice, her line would read, “It’s the politics that got small” as she delivers the most unexpected October surprise of all—-a reminder that government is still vital in our lives, no matter how much Tea Party pygmies denigrate it.

One of Mitt Romney’s loudest surrogates, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, steps up to reinforce the message, calling the Obama Administration’s storm response “wonderful,” “excellent” and “outstanding.”  He tells TV interviewers, "It’s been very good working with the president. He and his administration have been coordinating with us. It’s been wonderful.”

The President himself leaves the campaign trail to oversee the White House response as Romney and Ryan schedule “storm relief” events in Ohio, a swing state untouched by hurricane damage.

If any October surprise could affect their contest, it would be the opportunity for Barack Obama to stop pleading with voters and spend all his time being presidential from now until Election Day.

George W. Bush defined himself with a “Heckuva job, Brownie” gaffe over the response to Katrina. Sandy is providing a very different script for this president.

It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good, goes the ancient saying. This one could help Romney and Ryan to be “Gone with the Wind.”

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