The longer Sandy survivors suffer, the more harshly incumbent officials ? from Gov. Chris Christie (R) to President Obama (D) ? will be judged for their response, experts say.
Sheila and Dominic Traina hug in front of their home which was demolished during Superstorm Sandy in the Staten Island borough of New York. A relief fund is being created for residents of the hard-hit New York City borough. Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Borough President James Molinaro say the fund will help residents displaced from their homes.
Seth Wenig/AP
EnlargeAs superstorm Sandy-related blackouts and gas shortages continue in the Northeast, mayors, governors, and the White House are scrambling to contain building anger and frustration that some experts suggest could spill over into next week?s election.
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In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has worked with Washington to fast track gas shipments amid six-hour waits and fistfighting at gas pumps. In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie has ordered gas rationing in 12 hard-hit coastal counties ? a dramatic move intended to cool anxious and angry residents.
Just moments after vowing that the New York Marathon would proceed, Mayor Michael Bloomberg canceled the event on Friday, saying the race would only sow disunity amid suffering on Staten Island, where the majority of 41 New York City casualties perished in hurricane Sandy?s historic storm surge.
Certainly, the scramble for essentials in the densely populated hurricane strike zone is primarily to help cold and hungry residents, and to turn a rescue and response effort into a recovery and rebuilding mission by next week.
But while many believed the immediate response to the two-day ?superstorm? ? especially newfound comity between President Obama and blunt-spoken New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ? showcased competent leadership by incumbents, there?s clearly concern that images of frustration and suffering could become politically damaging for those tasked with overseeing a return to normalcy.
IN PICTURES: Sandy, an unrelenting storm
?This superstorm, in fact, is likely to have incalculable effects on the political scene and the kinds of leadership and public investment we will see in coming years,? writes columnist Darrell Delamaid, on the MarketWatch blog. ?History may remember Sandy not only for the devastation it caused but also for its impact on American politics.?
To be sure, the storm reminded many Americans about the value of strong central governments able to assist local responders and fast-track supplies. Americans also gave high praise to both President Obama and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney for hopping off the campaign trail and ?de-politicizing? the rescue and recovery phase after the massive storm hammered the nation?s northeastern shore, killing over 100 Americans.
According to polls, Americans have largely approved of the government?s early response to Sandy. As presidential campaigns were briefly suspended, President Obama, especially, stood to gain as he drew praise from governors, had the opportunity to look presidential only days before the Nov. 6 election, and offered and delivered immediate help to hard-hit areas.
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