The president spoke publicly about the federal emergency response well before the superstorm made landfall. Since then, he's been photographed touring devastated coastlines and consoling storm victims. And New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who supported Romney, called the president's response outstanding.

That may help Obama on Tuesday, Reeves said.

"A lot of people watching the president in states that haven’t been affected might be impressed with what they see," he said. "I think it could potentially have a national outcome."

• 6 Politicians Who Got the Science Wrong
• Hurricane Sandy: Photos of a Frankenstorm
• Quiz: Bizarre US Presidential Elections

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6 Comments

1. 1. priddseren 03:26 PM 11/5/12

   What a ridiculous way for a publication supposedly about science to bring in politics.
   
   To make it more amusing the story is so far off it is unreal. At least get it right. Obama screwed up.
   A photo op and cliche comments then returning immediately to the campaign trail in states where no calamity is happening, is actually going to contribute to Obama being defeated.
   
   To look good and gain anything from a natural disaster for a politician, you have to look like you are at least doing something to help. Nothing about stumping on the campaign trail during the plight of suffering victims looks good.
   
   I guess Obama failed to heed the advice of Rahm Emmanuel from a few years ago, never let a natural disaster go to waste.
   
   Anyway, "Scientific" American, how about sticking to actual science. Nothing in this article is of any relevance at all to science.

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2. 2. tharriss 03:40 PM 11/5/12

   Actually Pridd... he spent days NOT campaigning while Romney did.... get your story straight.
   
   You can bet the religious right would be frothing at the mouth to claim god was on their side if the hurricane could be claimed to help Romney win... they'd be talking of miracles and the stamp of approval from the allmighty... but of course since it doesn't favor their candidates... total silence.
   
   What upsets me the most is I've heard zero from the media or anyone else praising science, meteorology, years of developing accurate climate models, etc for saving countless lives during this storm. Can you imagine how many more would have died without modern science giving excellent early warnings?

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3. 3. Soccerdad 04:48 PM 11/5/12

   Sad that some people will mistake flying in for a photo op with leadership. Where was this President's quick response for the brave Americans trying to hold out in Libya.
   
   I'd love to help out, but I'm off to Vegas. I've got a campaign to run!

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4. 4. john.fentress@gmail.com 03:20 PM 11/6/12

   Here is the point. The comments that Sandy may help Obama is a statement of fact. So to fuss about this fact is beyond silly. The other fact (use fact checkers if you like) is that the Republicans have a long record either denying or decrying science, and now perhaps to their detriment.

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5. 5. Bird/tree/dinosaur/etc. geek 04:45 PM 11/6/12

   The sheer amount of Republican bull on this thread is shocking.

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6. 6. stevaroot in reply to tharriss 05:28 PM 11/6/12

   Actually I have heard from some on the religious right that Sandy was sent by God to punish NY for legalizing same sex marriages. How anyone can actually believe such tripe is beyond me.

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