Author Question: Hurricane Sandy devastated a wide area of the East Coast only days before Election Day in 2012. ... (Read 204 times)

Diane · **on:** Jul 10, 2018

Hurricane Sandy devastated a wide area of the East Coast only days before Election Day in 2012. President Obama suspended his campaign to travel through the affected states.

It has been suggested that, far from losing momentum as a result, Obama actually gained support during this time. Why do you think this might be true? What impact do you think New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's support of Obama during this period might have had on undecided voters?

Question 2

Describe the impact on a candidate of a long nomination and general election campaign. What physical and mental stresses result from such a campaign? How might these impacts ultimately affect the election?

What will be an ideal response?

SomethingSomething · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 10, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Discuss how the incumbent president has the ability to take action during times of crisis. President Obama was able to marshal governmental resources to deal with the crisis. The challenger does not have the same opportunities to take the same actions.
2. Discuss how Republican Governor Chris Christie's support of Obama demonstrated that President Obama could work with the opposing party, something that might have appealed to undecided voters. It also suggested that the president effectively handled the crisis. With a Republican commending his actions, it was difficult to dismiss the president's handling of the hurricane as something only Democrats would approve.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Describe the long, exhausting days on the campaign. A typical day might involve a series of staged events, meetings, luncheons, fundraisers, parties, dinners, speeches, and so on.
2. Describe regular meetings with campaign staff, strategy sessions, decisions on where to spend money, and substantial travel.
3. Describe constant interaction with the press.
4. Describe how the lengthy campaign and long days can result in significant stress for the candidate and the candidate's family. They have very little rest, and this fatigue can affect their performance in the campaign as they are more likely to make gaffes. These gaffes can ultimately sink a campaign.