Divine Intervention
"We're going through trauma in a major part of the country, the kind of trauma you've experienced here in Florida more than once", Mr. Romney noted while encouraging donations to the Red Cross. Slate magazine online criticized him for encouraging people to donate canned goods to food banks when, Slate noted, those same food banks would far more have preferred cash donations to enable them to procure their own choice of canned goods.Who'd have predicted it? Like manna from heaven, the rain fell, the winds blew, and nature unleashed its fury on behalf of creating a national catastrophe whose end result would turn out a popularity boost for a sitting president of the United States of America. How does a political adversary return to mounting responsibility attacks on a president fighting for re-election when that president suddenly appears a saint of comfort and hope for the future?
After all, hope for the future and comforting assurances were what got the very presentable, personable and charming Barack Obama elected to begin with, by an electorate tired of roil and trouble. Suddenly, the state of the economy, the turmoil of international relations and prosecuting wars abroad, the insecurity of unemployment and mortgages under water, have faded in the warm glow of a reassuring president hugging the unfortunate.
"The president has been all over this, and he deserves great credit" said Republican Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey, after gratefully accompanying President Obama to scenes of raw destruction, and making shared, emotive televised efforts to console survivors of Hurricane Sandy at community centers and towns throughout the state.
When asked pointedly whether this Republican governor was anticipating the appearance of presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on the scene he responded: "I have no idea, nor am I the least bit concerned or interested." Logical enough, given the circumstances, where state and national security and tragedy are concerned. But still mighty peculiar.
Up to a few days ago polls gave the two candidates, the incumbent and the aspirant, equality in numbers, a dead heat. And, now and again Mitt Romney appeared to pull ahead marginally. Clearly, this was going to be a cliff hanger. And now? President Obama is pulling ahead. He has impressed people with the presidential comfort and security he is offering, knocking down barriers to immediate assistance to those in need.
In the last few days the appearance of Hurricane Sandy and the dread consequences of its cyclonic passage through the eastern seaboard has granted President Obama the miracle his election crew must have been feverishly praying for. The opportunity to be seen looking presidential. The opportunity through necessity of speaking personally to every governor and mayor in the affected areas.
The last four years of disappointing performance on every level aside, that was then. This is now.
Labels: That's Life, Traditions, Tragedy, United States
posted by Pieface @ Friday, November 02, 2012
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